Reigning World Boxing Association welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will donate a portion of his earnings from his next year's looming fight with Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Conor McGregor to COVID-19 Filipino victims.
After the revelation by McGregor on Saturday confirming his bout with the senator in a Twitter post, the camp of the 41-year-old Pacquiao did not deny the claim of the mixed martial artist.
“For the sake of all the Filipino COVID-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year. Some of the portion of his earnings will proceed to those who were and are affected nationwide by the pandemic,” said Pacquiao’s special assistant Jayke Joson in a statement.
Joson clarified though, that the eight-division world champion is not focusing on boxing for the meantime since the entire nation is still dealing with the pandemic.
“Our beloved Senator doesn’t want to talk boxing for the meantime since we are in the middle of a pandemic and this is not the right time for it. His main focus right now is to help here and there, provide relief, shelter, money and food, among other necessities, to our countrymen,” explained Joson.
Despite the Senator’s busy schedule, though, Joson confirmed that negotiations between the camp of Pacquiao and McGregor is now moving on, with the fight happening anytime next year, when coronavirus pandemic shall have been contained.
“It is confirmed the negotiation between the camp of Senator Pacquiao and McGregor is now starting to move on. Again, as what our senator says, all his fights are dedicated to the welfare and unity of all Filipinos,” said Joson.
The Paradigm Sports Management, headed by Audie Attar, according to Joson, informed them the fight will most likely happen in the Middle East next year.
“Regarding the news coming from McGregor himself, we don’t deny it. In fact, our lawyers are finalizing all the confidential details, but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight,” he added.
Pacquiao (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) gave his full authority to Joson, along with his business manager Arnold Vegafria, legal counsel Atty. Brando Viernesto and Attar’s special assistant Ping Nepomuceno to negotiate with the camp of McGregor.