Pacquiao to donate part of earnings from fight vs. McGregor to COVID-19 victims

Boxing champ and incumbent senator Manny Pacquiao will fight Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor next year and donate a big portion of his earnings from the fight to COVID-19 victims, his special assistant Jayke Joson said on Saturday.

“For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year. The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic," he said in a statement.

"Malaking portion ng kikitain ni Sen MP sa kanyang susunod na laban eh e donate nya sa mga victim ng COVID," Joson said in an earlier message sent to reporters.

“But our beloved Senator doesn’t want to talk about boxing since we are in the middle of the pandemic and this is not the right time for it. His main focus right now is to help here and there, providing relief, shelter, money and food, among other necessities," he added.

Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, told AFP in an email on Friday a fight between the eight-division world champion and Irish mixed martial arts star McGregor would be a "tremendous global event."

Pacquiao's last fight in the ring was against Keith Thurman in 2019, wherein the senator got the WBA welterweight crown.

McGregor said on Twitter he is going to fight Pacquiao next year in the Middle East.

"Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook. I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East," he said.

Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook.
I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020

“Regarding the news coming from McGregor himself, we don’t deny it. In fact, our lawyers are finalizing all the confidential details, but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight. According to Paradigm Sports Management head Audie Attar, the fight may happen in the Middle East next year," Joson said.

Joson said talks with McGregor's team led by Attar have been ongoing for almost a year.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, disrupted the talks.

On McGregor's birthday last July 16, however, Pacquiao greeted the Irish mixed martial arts star on Twitter.

Lawyers for both camps finalized the contract "but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight," Joson said.

"So nag plantya pa ng contract mga lawyers about this huge boxing match Pacquiao vs Mc Gregor," he added.

“Personally, I am honored we are given by Senator MP (Manny Pacquiao) the full and the only authority to negotiate with the camp of McGregor together with business manager Arnold Vegafria, legal counsel Atty. Brando Viernesto and Audie Attar’s special assistant Ping Nepomuceno," Joson said.

“It is confirmed the negotiation between the camp of Senator Pacquiao and McGregor is now starting to move on. Again as what our senator says, all his fights are dedicated for the welfare and unity of all Filipinos including this one," he added.

No exact date has been set yet for the fight.

"Gaya ng sabi ni Audie Attar maybe it will happen next year in the Middle East," Joson said.

"So its really happening Pacquiao vs McGregor," he added.

"At pag natuloy yan eh sabi ni Sen MP eh tamang tama yan para ung portion ng kikitain dyan eh ma itulong nya sa mga Filipino na naapektuhan ng COVID," Joson said.

"Mas yun ang binigyan nya ng importansya kaya lalaban sya ulit next year. Most probably next year yan...dahil gusto muna ni Sen MP mag focus sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan hanggang makaraos tayo dito sa COVID," he added. —KG, GMA News