The return from Manny Pacquiao to the ring at the age of 46 does not look like it will have a collision with Conor McGregor.
For years, the former two-weight UFC champion McGregor Pacquiao has chased what his second professional boxing outing would have been after a losing effort to Floyd Mayweather in 2017. But he was unable to let it happen through different issues that occur during their feud.
Now Pacquiao will fight for a world title against Mario Barrios, while McGregor does not seem to be closer to a return to action. It is far from 2023, when the Irishman Pacquiao burned a coward and asked if he was 'a man or a mouse' in a viral interaction with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manny Pacquiao Pours Cold Water at Conor McGregor Fight Talks
Manny Pacquiao withdrew from boxing around the time that Conor McGregor was the last time in the UFC indemnum corner and hung the gloves after a loss for Yordenis Ugas. At the time it was only a few months ago that conversations started for a collision between the UFC legend and his boxing rival.
Unfortunately for both men, the subsequent losses from Coronavirus Pandemic and McGregor paid to Dustin Poirier on any plans, and the competition was suspended. And with bloody elbow in the famous Wild Card Gym in California today, Pacquiao seemed uncertain about the future of the fight.
Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
“I don't know,” he answered when he was asked if the McGregor fight is still something that interests him. “I don't know because there are many problems.”
One seems to be weight, whereby Pacquiao never weighed heavier than 162 pounds, even for an exhibition, while McGregor came to the region 185 or even 190 pounds during his spare time. His last planned UFC fight would be on 170 pounds, and he last made 155LB for Poirier four years ago.
He has previously argued that Pacquiao should give up the weight, since he offers a compromise in his entire skills. But that, together with other legal issues, can be sufficient to suppress the competition.
Emmanuel Pacquiao JR admits that he is Conor McGregor Fan, because he predicts a superfight outcome
If it happens, a man who would be enthusiastic is Pacquiao's 24-year-old son Emmanuel Jr. The young person is ready to make his professional debut on his father's undercard on July 19, and admits that he is a fan of the Irishman and would like to see the fight.
“Conor is a lot bigger,” gave Pacquiao JR in an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow. “They should find a weight that was good for both, I think. But I just don't think boxing is the world of Conor, so it would not have gone well for him.”
The younger even laughed from the infamous Ronaldo video and added: “That is just classic conor, I am actually a big fan of Conor, he is a very cool guy and that would be sick if they fight. It would certainly be nice.
“There have been many rumors, but at the moment he is focused on this, and so far I don't know what he wants to do after this.”