MANNY PACQUIAO has confirmed he will fight Conor McGregor – but only if he acts as co-promoter.
The stars are in talks for a blockbuster event which is believed to be targeted for December or January.
McGregor’s manager Audie Attar this year linked up with Filipino icon PacMan.
But the WBA welterweight champion revealed that as yet he has no current contractual obligation with Attar’s Paradigm Sports company.
And he insisted he will only agree terms to fight McGregor, 32, if he can co-promote the event.
Pacquiao, 41, said in a statement: “At the present time, I do not have an existing management contract with Paradigm Sports Management.
“I have formed my own company, Pac Sports and Entertainment, and am more than willing to give the fans what they want: An exciting fight with Conor McGregor under terms and conditions where I am the co-promoter with my company.
“Thank you and God bless.”
McGregor – who retired in June – made the announcement that he would come back to fight Pacquiao in the Middle East on Twitter.
Attar had said the UFC were involved in talks for the Irishman – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – to lace up the gloves again.
And they hoped he could return to the octagon next year to face the winner between Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32, and Justin Gaethje, 31, who fight this month at UFC 254.
But McGregor publicly blasted the UFC and even shared private messages with Dana White, claiming he was ‘held back’ from competing.
White – who said he had ‘no idea’ about McGregor’s plans to box Pacquiao – then revealed Saudi Arabian chiefs were not aware of the fight and even ordered the Irishman to remove a social media post publicising the fight.
The UFC president told Barstool Sports: “I don’t know if you just saw, but the Saudi’s went after Conor.
“They basically said, it’s a lie that fight is happening and you better take that down in the next 15 minutes or we’re going to sue you.
“He took it down. You don’t see the poster anymore about him and Manny.”
SunSport understands a deal is almost in place for McGregor to face Pacquiao.
A date and venue appears to be the only obstacle left to finalise.
