Reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao denied that there was an ongoing negotiations to fight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar Conor McGregor.
In response to McGregor’s tweet “Tinatanggap ko” on August 1, Pacquiao said there was nothing to accept in the first place since no offer nor negotiation was done.
“Okey lang [ako]. Wala naman fixed agreement or close na pag-uusap [laban kay McGregor] (There is no fixed agreement or close negotiation [against McGregor]),” the 41-year-old Pacquiao told The Manila Times in a phone interview.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the fantasy boxing bout between Pacquiao and McGregor had been floating all over the world. But some major sporting activities were halted because of the health crisis.
For now, the fighting senator reiterated that his only focus remains on helping the people of the entire nation affected by the coronavirus.
Even UFC President Dana White said to Robbie Fox during an interview with Barstool Sports last August 4 posted by ESPN writer Marc Raimondi that they should not look too much into McGregor’s cryptic “I accept” tweet last week.
White also said during that interview that the 32-year-old McGregor has already retired since June 6.
There are no plans for McGregor to fight this year.
But McGregor will possibly come out of retirement and fight in 2021 once the pandemic is over.
The UFC former lightweight and featherweight champion won over Donald Cerrone last January via first round technical knockout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
