Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar Conor McGregor initially expressed confidence that his potential fight against eight-time world boxing champion and Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao will push through.
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“It’s almost a certainty. I’m hearing there’s a contract and all coming…it’s that close,” McGregor told Sportsnet ahead of his fight against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257.
Poirier, however, knocked McGregor out in the second round of their fight on Sunday. It left the fans doubtful of the realization of the McGregor-Pacquaio fight, which reportedly will happen this year.
A win over Poirier would have fanned the flames of the McGregor-Pacquiao fight talks even more. Now, it appears that it won’t happen anymore.
Even McGregor (22-5 in MMA, 0-1 in boxing) himself is doubtful if his fight against Pacquiao (62-7-2) will push through.
“I wanted to focus on my MMA career, but I’m also open [to boxing]. Let’s just see what happens. I don’t know what will happen. That Manny fight was happening. It was as good as done. [Now] I don’t know.”
McGregor’s stunning loss to Poirier in their rematch left him ‘heartbroken’. It was also the Irishman’s return to the octagon after more than a year of inactivity.
“[It’s] the highest highs and the lowest lows in this game. I don’t know where I’m at, at the minute, to be honest,” said McGregor
For now, McGregor is focused on healing his leg injury he sustained in the fight and regroup.
Ryan Garcia posts teaser of dream fight vs Pacquiao
A dream turned reality?
If you ask the up-and-coming boxer Ryan Garcia, his dream fight against Pacquiao is happening.
The American Garcia on Monday posted a graphic of him and Pacquiao on Instagram, with the text: A dream to reality. Manny Pacquiao versus Ryan Garcia.
“A dream turned reality. It’s an honor to share the ring with Manny Pacquiao. I will always respect what you did in and out the ring. Here’s to the best man winning,” Garcia captioned his post.
The 22-year-old Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) added no further details about the fight, and the 42-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) has yet to comment on the matter as of posting time.
On Sunday, Mike Coppinger of The Athletic reported that there were only ‘preliminary discussions’ about the Garcia-Pacquiao bout.