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The planned boxing match between Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Conor McGregor has been called into question after the Irishman suffered a technical knockout loss on his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). weekend.
The organizers of the Pacquiao-McGregor fight were reportedly in deep discussion about a lucrative combat sporting event between the two icons, similar to McGregor’s battle with undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in 2017.
Reports say that after Mr. McGregor’s UFC fight against Dustin Poirier, and in the event that the former wins, the discussion about his showdown with Mr. Pacquiao will continue, if not finalized.
Unfortunately, Mr. McGregor lost to Mr. Poirier via a second round TKO in their encounter last Sunday at “UFC 257” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“The Notorious” was apparently in control of the competition before Mr. Poirier regained his attack in the second round, landing solid kicks to the calf and legs to consistently bring down the former UFC lightweight champion. The American finished off Mr. McGregor with a series of punches, eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight at the 2:32 mark of the round.
Mr. McGregor offered no excuses for the loss, saying that Mr. Poirier was right to follow his game plan to win.
Interestingly, Mr. McGregor also casts doubt on Pacquiao’s planned fight following his UFC loss.
“Let’s see what happens. That Manny fight was happening. It was as good as done. Now, I don’t know, ”Mr. McGregor said after the fight just as he promised to bounce back from the latest setback in his career.
IMMERSE IN INTEREST
For local combat sports analyst Nissi Icasiano, the Pacquiao-McGregor fight took a hit with the UFC 257 result and he wouldn’t be surprised if the organizers reconsidered their plans to move forward.
“With McGregor’s TKO loss to Poirier, the fighting senator’s side should expect that interest in that fight happening will wane a bit. The big difference when Mayweather fought McGregor in 2017 was that the Irishman had just won his second UFC world title and accomplished the feat of becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously. There was justifiable hype behind McGregor at the time, ”said Mr. Icasiano in an online interview with Business world.
With this, I wouldn’t be surprised if McGregor turns out to be one more option at the table than being Manny Pacquiao’s first choice. Now is a good time for promoters like Al Haymon and Bob Arum to build respective stable stars like Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. [as Pacquiao opponents]. The ball is now in his court, “he added.
Meanwhile, American boxer Ryan Garcia, 22, is being pitched as a possible opponent of eight-division champion Pacquiao, 42.
Garcia (21-0) even announced on Twitter Monday that he was battling the Filipino legend.
However, Mr. Pacquiao’s team has yet to confirm the announcement as of this writing. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo
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