Conor McGregor has revealed that talks are ongoing with Manny Pacquiao over a potential bout that would see him return to the boxing ring.
McGregor will make his long awaited return to the octagon on Saturday when he takes on Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas at UFC246, but already has his sights set on bigger things.
The Notorious lost the only professional boxing match of his career - a TKO defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 - but restated his desire to one day win a world title in the sport.
Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference ahead of UFC246, McGregor confirmed plans to once again trade the octagon for the boxing ring.
He said: “The Manny Pacquiao talks have been ongoing.
“An aspiration of mine now also is to win a boxing world title. I think that would be a phenomenal feather in the cap.”
McGregor was stopped in the 10th round by Mayweather when the pair met in Las Vegas two years ago, surprising many by lasting so deep into the fight.
However, the 31-year-old Crumlin fighter believes he would win any rematch against Mayweather and stated his desire to fight him again in an interview with ESPN MMA on Monday.
McGregor said: “I know I’d beat Floyd. I beat Floyd if we rematch. When we rematch.”
It appears as though a rematch with Mayweather will have to wait until after McGregor steps into the ring with Pacquiao, however.
In the same interview, McGregor hinted that a deal to fight Pacman was “close.”
Pacquiao, 41, became the oldest welterweight champion in history when he defeated Keith Thurman in Las Vegas last June.
The veteran fighter said that he had no plans to retire after that split decision victory, leaving the door open for a potential date with the Notorious this year.
