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Boxing: McGregor says Pacquiao fight 'should happen in 2021'

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/02/12/20200212-pacman-mcgregor.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is staying ready should a fight against boxing icon Manny &quot;Pacman&quot; Pacquiao materialize this year.</p><p>The Irishman is coming out of retirement this weekend, when he takes on Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Fight Island. </p><p>It will be his first fight since a 40-second demolition of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020; he <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/07/20/mma-conor-mcgregor-announces-retirement-anew">announced his retirement</a> in June last year.</p><p>But even while he was retired, McGregor kept teasing a potential fight against the Filipino boxing legend. He signed a deal to fight Poirier last November, but made it clear that a showdown against Pacquiao is still on his mind.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/26/20/pacquiao-vs-mcgregor-idea-has-been-brought-up-says-pacquiao-promoter">READ: Pacquiao-McGregor fight being eyed for 2021, says Pacquiao aide</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/29/20/boxing-mp-promotions-head-coy-on-pacquiao-mcgregor-details">READ: MP Promotions head coy on Pacquiao-McGregor details</a></li></ul><p>&quot;It&#x27;s almost a certainty,&quot; said McGregor in an <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/article/conor-mcgregor-fight-vs-manny-pacquiao-happen-2021/">interview with SportsNet</a>. &quot;I&#x27;m hearing there&#x27;s a contract and all coming… There&#x27;s a contract. It&#x27;s that close.&quot;</p><p>While he admits that he has not spoken with the Pacquiao camp, McGregor also stressed that the fight &quot;should happen in 2021.&quot;</p><p>If it pushes through, it will only be the second time that McGregor has fought in a professional boxing match. </p><p>In August 2017, he memorably took on unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a high-profile showdown that became one of the most lucrative events in boxing history. McGregor held his own in the first few rounds but was stopped by Mayweather in the tenth.</p><p>While he failed to inflict a loss on Mayweather&#x27;s record, the 32-year-old McGregor is confident that he can handle Pacquiao.</p><p>&quot;Look man, I&#x27;m fighting somebody who&#x27;s a southpaw. Manny&#x27;s a southpaw,&quot; he said. &quot;I&#x27;m fighting professional boxers in the gym, sparring with professional southpaw boxers in the gym.&quot;</p><p>This, says McGregor, is in preparation not just for Poirier, but also the &quot;Pacman.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m ready for whatever,&quot; he guaranteed. &quot;In this game, anything can happen. You just gotta be ready and stay prepared, and that&#x27;s the way I am.&quot; </p><p>Pacquiao, who was inactive for the entirety of 2020, is certainly open to the idea of fighting McGregor.</p><p>In an interview on ANC&#x27;s &quot;Headstart&quot; last December, Pacquiao said he plans to fight at least once in 2021 -- and McGregor is among the fighters he wants to face.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/21/20/boxing-pacquiao-eyes-at-least-one-fight-in-2021-wants-mcgregor">FULL STORY: Pacquiao eyes at least one fight in 2021, wants McGregor</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Sa akin, McGregor,&quot; Pacquiao answered when asked who he would like to fight first among his challengers, a list that also includes unbeaten boxers Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. </p><p>&quot;Because I want to experience to fight an MMA fighter,&quot; he explained.</p><p>Pacquiao last fought in July 2019 when he claimed a split decision win over American boxer Keith Thurman to claim the WBA welterweight championship.</p><div><strong>Related video: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJxs1BlSx-0?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is staying ready should a fight against boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao materialize this year.</p>

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is staying ready should a fight against boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao materialize this year.