Conor McGregor has a boxing licence and there is no shortage of boxers wanting to fight him.
The only thing standing in the way of ‘The Notorious’ stepping foot in the squared circle is a UFC contract and Dana White’s opinion on what the bout might be worth to him.
Initially, McGregor’s apparent willingness to meet Mayweather in the boxing ring seemed like no more than a publicity stunt and it was dismissed as just that by the retired boxer’s team back when McGregor was granted a boxing licence in the state of California.
But, day by day and interview by interview, McGregor’s boxing debut has become all the more realistic with talk of an official approach from the Mayweather camp followed by a genuine offer from White.
Wow! It could actually happen https://t.co/zPr0KJOl3o
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 13, 2017
Mayweather is undoubtedly the most lucrative possible opponent for McGregor if he was to officially agree to lace up the boxing gloves for his professional debut.
But he’s by no means the only name from the squared circle who is up for a super-fight with the mouthy Dubliner as former two-weight world champions Paulie Malignaggi and Ricardo Mayorga both threw their hats in the ring for the mega-money tilt.
Neither of those options would bring the interest of a Mayweather fight but now, one of the greatest fighters of this generation has also made his availability known.
Manny Pacquiao, the man that so many felt would have the beating of Mayweather prior to what was dubbed ‘The Fight of the Century’ has now announced that he would be open to meeting McGregor in the ring.
“In boxing? In boxing (I would) but not in (UFC), just boxing,” Pacquiao told FOX Sports.
The typically humble and reserved Filipino went on to give his take on how he felt the Irishman’s skills would translate to boxing.
“I’m sure he will be moving around,” Pacquiao said.
“I didn’t see it [footage of Conor sparring]. But if we are talking about Conor McGregor and boxing, it’s different. Boxing is different than MMA.”
