Manny Pacquiao was expected to fight undefeated WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. last weekend in Las Vegas, but “The Truth” suffered a pre-fight eye injury and was forced to withdraw. Taking his place was reigning WBA super welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, who upset “Pac Man” by unanimous decision.
What does that have to do with former UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor?
“Notorious” was planning to box Pacquiao after the Filipino fighting sensation signed with Paradigm Sports Management back in early 2020. In fact, the Irishman’s UFC 257 headliner against Dustin Poirier earlier this year in “Sin City” was supposed to be a warm-up fight for the “Pac Man” bout because “The Diamond” is also a hard-hitting southpaw.
But then McGregor got knocked out and Pacquiao moved on to bigger and better things.
According to an injunction filed by Paradigm’s Audie Attar, who also reps McGregor, losing the “Notorious” fight meant Pacquiao was contractually obligated to face former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia — not Errol Spence Jr. — but the court ruled in favor of “Pac Man” and the Spence (Ugas) fight was allowed to proceed.
“I’m owed commission off that Manny fight and I want it,” McGregor wrote on Twitter.
McGregor had an opportunity to rebuild his name by winning his trilogy against Poirier at UFC 264 just last month; however, “Notorious” suffered yet another loss after breaking his leg in the opening frame, benching him until late 2022 (or later) and all but ending his chance at boxing Pacquiao.
“Conor’s record is 1-5 in his last six fights,” Pacquiao’s coach, Justin Fortune, recently told Coffee Friend. “Why fight McGregor? McGregor does not deserve to fight Manny. Why give McGregor the payday? What gives him the right to fight Manny? McGregor has loss after loss after loss. Fight Logan Paul for the money, the big guy deserves it. I like Logan Paul, he’s got some skills.”
Pacquiao, 42, hinted at retirement after falling to Ugas.