A fight involving the pair has been floated for years

Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor

Manny Pacquiao is no longer a professional boxer, with his last fight dating back to 2021.

That’s when he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas, and struggled to open his eyes for days after. Before that he defeated Keith Thurman by split decision in 2019.

Since then he has teased a return to the ring, with trainer Bob Santos recently stating that his fighter Mario Barrios had discussion with Pacquaio and his team over a bout in October while speaking with GIVEMESPORT.

However, should the fight fail to come together, Pacquiao’s manager Sean Gibbons has suggested another opponent: Conor McGregor.

“McGregor is the most fun fight left for Manny and a dream match for the fans,” Gibbons told Boxing Scene.

Pacquiao vs McGregor has been talked about for years

A Pacquiao vs McGregor fight would bring together two of the biggest names in boxing and mixed martial arts, and two fighters that have been linked with one another for years.

Pacquiao won championships in multiple weight classes, while also fighting big names like Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather.

On the other side, McGregor, who is nine years younger at 36, was the first fighter to simultaneously be champion of two weight classes in UFC.

A crossover encounter between the two has been floated for years, with McGregor even telling reporters in 2020 that talks over a super-fight had “been ongoing”. He even stated that he had ambitions of winning a boxing world title.

While nothing came of those talks, the door has seemingly been opened one again. However, there are question marks over McGregor’s contract with UFC.

He has two fights remaining on his current deal, and chances are that UFC boss Dana White would rather see the Irishman compete in the octagon before looking for a big payday in a boxing ring.