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It’s the fight everyone has been waiting for.
A mega fight that could rack up pay-per-view numbers.
Manny Pacquiao has confirmed that he will fight Conor McGregor in the Middle East next year when boxing takes on MMA once again, The Independent reported.
The UFC superstar reportedly pulled out of fights after vowing to walk away from the Octagon for the third time in four years, but the 32-year-old raised buzz Friday by revealing a mega fight against the legendary Filipino.
After losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 by knockout, McGregor will hope to prove himself in the boxing ring once again, this time against a much smaller opponent, with the 41-year-old corroborating his claim, according to the report.
“For the sake of all Philippine Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year,” Pacquiao’s office said.
A “large portion of its proceeds” will be donated to those in the Philippines affected by the pandemic, they added.
The Philippines has the most confirmed Covid-19 infections in Southeast Asia and the second-highest number of coronavirus deaths in the region, after Indonesia, according to the report.
Total confirmed coronavirus cases in the Philippines topped 300,000 on Saturday, while deaths rose to 5,284.
McGregor had taken to Twitter previously, stating that it would be an “honor” to share the ring with the eight-division world champion, according to the report.
“I’m going to box Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East,” McGregor said. “It will be a true honor to have faced two of the best fighters of the modern era.”
Pacquiao, 41, whose speed and power belies his age, is the only man in boxing history to hold world titles in eight different divisions.
The last time he fought was in July 2019, beating Keith Thurman to bring his record to 62 wins and seven losses, with two draws, according to the report.
Billed as “The Greatest Fight in Combat Sports History”, McGregor vs. Mayweather was one of the most lucrative bouts of all time, generating £ 450 million (US $ 580 million) in pay-per-view revenue.
The fight itself produced few fireworks as Mayweather, who cleverly seized the timing and pushed McGregor to the deep end, won with relative ease.
Mayweather’s guaranteed disclosed paycheck was reported to be $ 100 million and McGregor’s guaranteed disclosed paycheck was $ 30 million.
However, the purse for the two fighters was expected to be substantially higher for each, with Mayweather earning $ 280 million from the fight and McGregor earning $ 130 million.
McGregor vs Pacquiao would probably also generate huge interest and crazy money, particularly in the Philippines where Pacquiao is very popular.
But both fighters have a large fan base around the world, and boxing fans estimate that the pay-per-view tally of hungry sports fans in the Covid era could exceed $ 750 million, a record today.
– The Independent, Al Jazeera
