By Juan Flores: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says he doesn’t like the idea of Manny Pacquiao fighting UFC fighter Conor McGregor, but he’ll do it if the Filipino star asks him to.
Pacquiao is about to turn 39-years-old in December, and he seems to be interested in fighting the 29-year-old McGregor.
Pacquiao sent a tweet to McGregor on before Thanksgiving, wishing him a happy Thanksgiving. That move was interpreted by a lot of people to mean that Pacquiao wants to fight McGregor. Since it looks like McGregor likely won’t be returning to MMA, it makes sense for him to take advantage of his popularity while he still can by cashing in on another boxing match.
McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr. by a 10th round knockout on August 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McGregor picked up a $100 million payday in that fight. Mayweather is said to have made $300 million. If Pacquiao can scoop up a big chunk of money himself fighting McGregor before he retires, then why not? There’s nobody else in boxing that can give Pacquiao the payday that McGregor will. Likewise, there’s nobody in the UFC that can give McGregor the money Pacquiao can give him.
“If we equate boxing with fighting – because I’m not talking about his ability as an MMA participant because he has been very good with that – Conor McGregor can’t spell fight,” Arum said to CBS Sports. “Mayweather carried him before he took him out. With Manny, it wouldn’t be a contest; it would be a money grab.”
So what if it’s a money grab? If the MMA and boxing fans are willing to purchase the Pacquiao vs. McGregor fight for good clean entertainment, then why should they be denied? It’s mindless entertainment of the highest form. That’s what entertainment is all about. It makes sense for McGregor and Pacquiao to fight each other if the two of them want. It’s good news that Arum is willing to work with Pacquiao to help bring this fight to fruition if McGregor shows interest.
I don’t know why McGregor wouldn’t. He’s clearly done with MMA. McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since last year in November, and that’s a lifetime. It’s a clear sign that McGregor no longer has the hunger for the sport that he once had. The best thing for McGregor to do is to make as much money with boxing matches as he can before he retires. He can go buy a large boat and float around for the rest of his life.
”Conor McGregor is not a boxer and does not know how to box,” said Arum. ”His stance is a stance of an MMA fighter who has to protect against kicks and takedowns. He is not competitive with any fighter no matter how old that fighter is. The answer is no, I wouldn’t particularly look forward to doing a fight featuring McGregor and Pacquiao. If Manny asked me to, I would,” said Arum.
Arum is speaking about the Pacquiao vs. McGregor as if it’s a serious fight. It wouldn’t be a serious fight. It would be an entertainment type of fight. These kinds of fights aren’t supposed to be sporting events. It’s more like celebrity competition. I say again. If the boxing and MMA fans want to pay to see Pacqiuiao and McGregor fight, then why deny them? Pacquiao and McGregor are just giving the fans what they want.