MCGREGOR WANTS TO FIGHT PACQUIAO AND MAYWEATHER
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Jan 2020
Conor McGregor has a scheduled MMA fight against Cowboy Donald Cerrone on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But McGregor is already announcing his options for his next opponents which includes a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and negotiations with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
* * *
“I would be open to other boxing bouts. You know, Manny (Pacquiao). We’re actually close to signing Manny,” McGregor told Ariel Helwani in his ESPN MMA show on YouTube on Monday. He said that there were talks regarding the fight with Senator Pacquiao. "There’s been an offer made on (a bout against Pacquiao). There’s just negotiations going on."
* * *
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion clarified he wants to box multiple times. “I want to box again. I will box again. I will get a boxing world title.” He likes to have a rematch with Mayweather Jr. " I’d like to rematch Floyd,” McGregor reiterated. “I think we should rematch Floyd. He’s flirting with [a comeback] and doing all this, he can go and pick someone else, it’s not going to be the same.”
* * *
Before 14,623 spectators, not a a sell-out though, Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. At the time of stoppage, the scorecards were 87–83, 89–82, and 89–81 all in favor of Mayweather.
* * *
The bout was fought at super welterweight (154 pounds) division with 8 oz. gloves. Showtime announced that the fight recorded the second highest pay-per-view buys at 4.3 million. Mayweather-Pacquiao still tops with 4.6 million buys and over $410 million in revenue.
* * *
Dana White praised McGregor for connecting 111 punches of 430 thrown for 26% accuracy on Mayweather, which was more than what Pacquiao landed in his fight against Mayweather, called The Fight of the Century, and more than any of Mayweather's previous nine opponents. Mayweather was more accurate though, landing 170 of 320 punches thrown for 53% accuracy.
* * *
McGregor said he had "done phenomenal in that bout" with Mayweather but he lost that bout because he prepared for a back-footed, Philly-shell style of opponent. “Then, he came forward and started pressing, and I wasn’t sinking into my shots like I am now with my boxing coaches that are drilling specific boxing things into me again," McGregor said. “I know I’d beat Floyd. I’d beat Floyd if we rematched - when we rematch."
* * *
After the McGregor fight, Mayweather was quoted by BBC Sports: "This was my last fight. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, for sure I chose the right dance partner to dance with. Conor McGregor, you are a hell of a champion."
* * *
The undefeated American world champion added: "He's a tough competitor and I think we gave the fans what they wanted to see. I owed them for the Pacquiao fight. I must come straight ahead and give the fans a show, and that's what I gave them." McGregor told reporters the fight was stopped too early, but respected the decision and conceded that he was tired.
* * *
The Dublin, Ireland native is the biggest pay-per-view (PPV) draw in MMA history, having starred in five out of the six highest-selling UFC pay-per-view events. His fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 earned 2.4 million PPV buys, the highest ever for an MMA event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 23 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 21 Feb 2026FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES
Sat, 21 Feb 2026WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 21 Feb 2026