We’re very excited to announce that Manny Pacquiao has signed with PSM for full service representation! Manny is one of the greatest boxers of all time & we look forward to working with Arnold, Ping and the rest of the team back in Manila to maximize his historic career. #GP pic.twitter.com/lrdDCNcGrf
— Paradigm Sports Management (@ParadigmSM) February 11, 2020
A potential boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor could be one step closer to reality.
Pacquaio, a multiple time world boxing champion, has signed with Paradigm Sports Management, according to a release from the firm on Tuesday. That is the same team that represents McGregor.
According to a release, Paradigm is expected to work with Pacquiao’s existing team, which includes business manager Arnold Vegafria, associate Ping Nepomuceno and attorney Brando Viernesto.
“I am proud to partner with Paradigm Sports Management and am excited for the opportunities that Audie Attar and PSM have to offer,” Pacquiao said in the release. “One thing I want everyone to remember is to always think positively. Never think negatively; that is the beginning of your downfall. Everything is possible.”
During UFC 246 fight week, McGregor expressed interest in a potential showdown with Pacquiao at the new stadium opening in Las Vegas. McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, reportedly earning in the neighborhood of $100 million for a 10th-round TKO defeat.
“I would be honored to be a part of that event. I would love to be the first combatant to fight in that arena,” McGregor said.
“What a fight that would be against Manny. A small, powerful southpaw. I’d have to figure out the weight and these type of things. But it’s something that interests me, no doubt.”
McGregor and Pacquaio reportedly had preliminary discussions regarding an April 2018 bout, but nothing came to fruition.
McGregor is coming off a first-round stoppage of Donald Cerrone in the UFC 246 main event. In the MMA realm, the Irish star could be in line for a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov provided the lightweight champion gets by Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in April.