Boxing
Manny Pacquiao signs with Conor McGregor's management team; are fighters inching closer to match?
Could Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor be inching closer to a boxing match?
On Tuesday, it was announced that Manny Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division world champion, signed a contract with Paradigm Sports Management — the same company that represents Conor McGregor.
"I am proud to partner with Paradigm Sports Management and am excited for the opportunities that (Paradigm president and CEO) Audie Attar and PSM have to offer," Pacquiao said in a statement. "One thing I want everyone to remember is to always think positively. Never think negatively; that is the beginning of your downfall. Everything is possible."
The Pacquiao-Paradigm partnership only fuels speculation of a boxing match with McGregor. Before his 40-second destruction of Donald Cerrone at January's UFC 246, McGregor expressed interest in a Pacquiao bout. The Flipino icon proceeded to release a video before the event wishing McGregor good luck, only fanning the flames of a potential match. McGregor's only fight with the 10-ounce gloves was in August 2017, when he lost by stoppage to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Not too long after his team's announcement, McGregor — using Pacquiao's full first name — welcomed the 41-year-old on board.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) had a banner 2019, dominating Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. It's unknown when Pacquiao will return to the ring in 2020.
