Sport1 min(s) read
Published 08:14 26 Sep 2020 GMT
In one of the biggest combat sport announcements ever, Conor McGregor has confirmed that he is set to step into a boxing ring with Manny Pacquiao.
As reported by BBC News, the 32-year-old Irish MMA fighter will come out of retirement to face the 41-year-old Filipino boxer.
McGregor, a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, took to Twitter last night, writing to his 8.2 million followers: "Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook. I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."
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In a follow-up tweet, McGregor added: "It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight."
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Since McGregor tweeted the announcement, "The Pacman's" team has confirmed the fight, with a statement being released from his business partner Jayke Joson, via The Inquirer.
The statement read: "For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year."
Pacquiao's team added that the "beloved Senator doesn’t want to talk about boxing since we are in the middle of the pandemic", but confirmed that "the huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic."
The fight will take place in the Middle East.
The news comes as (somewhat) of a surprise, considering that McGregor, 31, announced his retirement from the UFC and professional fighting back in June.
Following the UFC 250 event, "The Notorious One" tweeted a picture of him and his mom, Margaret McGregor, and wrote alongside it:
"Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting. Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!
"Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins! Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you!
"Whatever you desire it’s yours."
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However, this is not the first time McGregor has announced his retirement, only to return for a fight.
McGregor's last fight in the Octagon was back in January, where he scored a victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC246.
Eight-weight world champion Pacquiao, 41, last stepped into a boxing ring in July 2019, when he defeated Keith Thurman to take his boxing record to 62-7-2.
Regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to hold world championships over four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).
Pacquiao was also elected as Senator of the Phillippines in 2016 and is currently serving a 6-year term.
Many will remember McGregor's last boxing match against former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather back in August of 2017.
"Money" Mayweather extended his undefeated streak to 50-0 after thwarting McGregor in the 10th round of one of the richest bouts in boxing history - with the Las Vegas match generating over $570 million through 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America.
Per BBC News, this is the second-highest ever pay-per-view buys in North America - with Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's 2015 fight drawing 4.6 million.
