Senator Manny Pacquiao said there have been no discussions to fight either Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Conor McGregor or reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
In response to several reports since early this year, Pacquiao, 41, explained that his main priority right now is to be more helpful and productive as an elected government official during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Wala pang napag-uusapan dyan. Dito na lang muna tayo at tulungan muna ang mga kababayan natin,” said Pacquiao (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) who is presently in General Santos City.
Pacquiao, who remains a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, didn’t put too much weight on the tweet in Filipino by the 32-year-old McGregor that stated “Tinatanggap ko” which translated to English meant “I accept.”
Even UFC President Dana White told Barstool Sports last August 4 that they should not look too much into McGregor’s cryptic tweet. He also explained that McGregor was considered retired since June 6 and there are no plans for him to fight within this year.
On the part of Crawford, Top Rank’s Bob Arum claimed to the media last June that the eight-division world champion Pacquiao was interested in fighting the unbeaten Crawford (36-0 record with 27 knockouts) this year or early next year outside the United States.
Arum said he is looking to hold that fight in Macau or somewhere in the Middle East.
That Pacquiao-Crawford fight negotiation may prove complicated for now. Pacquiao is under contract with the Premier Boxing Champions of Al Haymon while the American pug is with Top Rank Promotions.
MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons refused to comment about a possible bout against McGregor or Crawford.
