Manny Pacquiao Officially Ends Retirement, Targets Conor McGregor Showdown in Saudi Arabia
The boxing world is abuzz with excitement as former eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao announces his return to the ring and sets his sights on a high-profile opponent. Pacquiao had retired in September 2021 after losing his WBA welterweight title fight to Yordenis Ugas. However, the Filipino legend couldn’t resist the call of the sport and participated in an exhibition bout against South Korean DK Yoo in December 2022. Now, Pacquiao is preparing to face Muay Thai icon Buakaw for a second exhibition in April.
Speculation about who Pacquiao might face in his comeback fight has been rife, with talk of a rematch against his long-time rival Floyd Mayweather. Adding fuel to the fire, Pacquiao’s manager Sean Gibbons revealed that the retired label no longer applies to the legendary fighter. Technically, he’s out of retirement, Gibbons confirmed to Boxing Scene.
Gibbons also disclosed Pacquiao’s plans to stick around for one more year and take on some of the biggest names in the sport. He would love to fight Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia. He’s got about a year left. He just wants to fight. Manny feels that he’s in tremendous shape, Gibbons stated.
However, the matchup that has captured the imagination of fans for years is a showdown between Pacquiao and former UFC champion Conor McGregor. McGregor himself had issued a callout to Pacquiao in December, proposing a lucrative clash in Saudi Arabia. Gibbons revealed that Pacquiao is more than willing to take on the challenge. One of the fights that people talked about for a long time was Manny Pacquiao versus Conor McGregor. That’s something that will be sensational in Saudi Arabia, let’s go. It will be a good place to do it, he said.
Saudi Arabia has become a popular destination for high-profile sporting events, and the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, is known for hosting extravagant spectacles. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh loves big events. And he’s putting on the best events, Gibbons added. With both Pacquiao and McGregor being household names in combat sports, a crossover clash between the two would undoubtedly be a global sensation.
As fans eagerly await official confirmation of the Pacquiao-McGregor matchup, one thing is clear: Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring is set to captivate the sporting world once again. With his storied career and remarkable achievements, Pacquiao remains a beloved figure and a true legend in the sport of boxing. As the countdown begins, fans can already feel the excitement building for what promises to be an epic showdown in Saudi Arabia.
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