A boxing megafight is in the works. Photo / Supplied
Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao wants to fight UFC megastar Conor McGregor in the ring next year, an aide said in a statement this weekend.
"For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year," Pacquiao's special assistant Jayke Joson said, adding negotiations are ongoing.
I was pushing hard for the season.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back.
Then when covid hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.
The fight could be staged in the Middle East after the coronavirus pandemic abates, the aide said, adding Pacquiao would donate a portion of his prize earnings to Filipino Covid-19 victims.
Pacquiao's promoter Sean Gibbons earlier told AFP in Los Angeles that the eight-division world champion was mulling a possible comeback fight with McGregor, though the two camps were a "long way" from agreement.
Earlier McGregor, 32, said on Twitter he was "boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."
"It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era," McGregor added, referencing his famous 2017 clash against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather.
It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
Pacquiao, 41, has not fought since claiming the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning victory over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July last year.
A bout against McGregor, who faced welterweight king Mayweather in a money-spinning fight three years ago, would guarantee Pacquiao another lucrative payday as he nears the end of an illustrious boxing career.
Despite his technical knockout loss to Mayweather in his boxing debut, McGregor had shown that he was capable of challenging "the best boxers in the world", Gibbons said.
"Our lawyers are finalising all the confidential details, but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight," Joson said.
McGregor has not fought since beating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January, and has previously expressed his sadness at being kept out of the Octagon because of Covid-19.
The UFC's biggest cash cow would essentially be wasted at an event without crowds, so the promotion's president Dana White is keeping McGregor on ice for now.
The Irishman uploaded footage of himself shadow boxing in a ring yesterday, and also posted a picture to his Instagram story of a promotional poster featuring him alongside Pacquiao, spruiking a Middle East bout in the winter of 2020.
White recently said he and McGregor were working on "some fun stuff" for the future.
Pacquiao has successfully combined a political career in the Philippines, where he is an elected senator, while continuing to box at the highest level.
He had turned pro in his teens 25 years ago and owns a 62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts.
"His main focus right now is to help here and there, providing relief, shelter, money and food, among other necessities," Joson said.
The virus has infected 301,000 people in the Philippines and killed more than 5000.