PACQUIAO-MCGREGOR FIGHT MOVES CLOSER TO REALIZATION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Feb 2020
Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has signed with Paradigm Sports Management, the sports marketing firm that also guides the career of Conor McGregor. The deal inched closer the negotiations for a boxing super match between Pacquiao and McGregor, as the former UFC two-division champion revealed last month before his fight with Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone that talks with the Filipino icon's camp have already started.
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Audie Attar, CEO and founder of Paradigm SM was quoted by the Business Insider: "It has been a great day for Paradigm." Attar manages McGregor and spearheaded the realization of the "Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History," a professional boxing match between McGregor and the comebacking undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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Attar said, "I'm honored to have the opportunity not only to maximize Manny's boxing career but to help him continue to leave a legacy he is proud of through the lens of business and sport. My approach is to focus on each client and their goals always, and I look forward to fighting on his behalf."
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Pacquiao replied, "I am proud to partner with Paradigm Sports Management and am excited for the opportunities that Audie Attar and PSM have to offer." The senator continued, "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."
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"Incredibly proud that Paradigm SM is officially representing Manny Pacquiao," Attar posted in Twitter. "Cannot wait to work together." McGregor retweeted Paradigm’s posting about the Pacquiao deal and welcomed him in social media. “Welcome to the team Emmanuel,” said McGregor in his tweet.
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For their cross-combat fight, Mayweather was guaranteed a disclosed paycheck of $100 million and McGregor was guaranteed a disclosed paycheck of $30 million. But their purse was bigger for each fighter, with Mayweather reportedly pocketing $275 million and McGregor earning $85 million. Showtime officially announced that the fight sold 4.3 million pay-per-view buys, the second highest sales in pay-per-view history. The Mayweather-Pacquiao battle earned 4.6 million pay-per-view buys.
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Paradigm SM has established its company as full-service management that handles the careers of an internationally known list of elite mixed martial arts fighters, including McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, and Cris Cyborg. He also managed the careers of professional football players being a former football player himself.
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Gareth A. Davies, a boxing columnist for The Telegraph and a commentator for talkSport and BT Sport, estimated that a Pacquiao-McGregor match would gross $200 million to $250 million and would financially secure Pacquiao who could retire after the fight. He believes the Filipino world champ would prevail by knockout. "It's a dangerous fight for McGregor," he said. "Pacquiao knocks him out."
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Atty. Ed Tolentino of The Manila Times, commented that two years since Pacquiao joined Premier Boxing Champions, Al Haymon has not delivered the rematch with Mayweather. Haymon, who serves as one of the advisers of Mayweather, let his other PBC fighters face Pacquiao, namely Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. Reports had it that Haymon was setting up another PBC fighter, Danny Garcia. "PBC boxers are getting publicity and tons of cash off Pacquiao’s name. To reiterate, Pacquiao joined PBC for a rematch with Mayweather Jr., not for fights against Haymon’s 'kids,'" wrote Tolentino.
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The clock is ticking on the fighting profession of the 41-year old Pacquiao. He won't be wasting his remaining power and strength on younger but lesser known fighters who can't rake in the needed retirement purse. The Filipino boxing icon needs to hang up his gloves with his family financially secure. And there's a lot of political opportunities waiting for him after boxing when he finally calls it a career.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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