Filipino boxing veteran and Senator, Manny Pacquiao has announced he will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor in the Middle East in year 2021.
The boxing legend’s office made the announcement in a statement and confirmed that Pacquiao’s earnings from the fight will go towards victims of the coronavirus pandemic in his home country.
A statement from Pacquiao’s office read: ‘For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year.’
‘The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic.’
According to the statement, Pacquiao and McGregor were “getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight” in the Middle East next year.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao to fight Conor McGregor next year. He will use the earnings from the fight for COVID 19 response. | @LeilasINQ pic.twitter.com/dDA4nTYpuU
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 26, 2020
This bout signifies the return of McGregor to square ring, who retired from UFC earlier this summer, the third time in four years he has made such an announcement.
In 2017, the former two-weight UFC champion took a bold step out of his comfort zone – the Octagon, to challenge former undefeated welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
The Irish fighter however lost to a stoppage by the referee after he got pummeled by a counter-punching Mayweather who looked fresh in the championship rounds.
Not many Mixed martial fighters especially in the UFC have come out of the Octagon to take on a professional boxing bout – making McGregor one of the firsts to do so.
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