Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight a step closer

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Conor McGregor are one step closer to getting in the ring together. Photo / Photosport

Potential fight foes Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao are now represented by the same management in what's being seen as a step towards the pair meeting in the ring.

Paradigm Sports Management announced on Wednesday it has added the Filipino boxing legend to a stable that includes UFC stars McGregor, Israel Adesanya and Cris Cyborg.

Sharing management would make any negotiations far easier and McGregor responded to the announcement by tweeting: "Welcome to the team Emmanuel."

The possibility of the Irish star meeting the eight-division world champion in a boxing fight gathered some momentum in the week leading up to McGregor's UFC return last month.

Pacquiao's now former manager Sean Gibbons hyped the possibility of the two meeting in a new stadium being built in Las Vegas to house the NFL's Raiders.

Asked about the match-up, McGregor - who fought Floyd Mayweather in the only professional boxing bout of his career in 2017 - welcomed the idea.

"I always want bigger and better and to reach for the stars", McGregor continued.

"I would love a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and I know the Manny one is there whenever I want it.

"I would be honoured and love to be the first combatant to fight in that arena and what a fight that would be against a small and powerful southpaw.

"We would have to figure out the weight we do it at, but it interests me no doubt."

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 (@ParadigmSports) February 11, 2020

The fight makes sense for both men because outside of a rematch for either of them with Mayweather, it's likely the most money they can make.

Pacquiao is still a star at 41 and is on a three-fight winning streak after responding to a controversial defeat against Australia's Jeff Horn by knocking out Lucas Matthysse and outpointing Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.

McGregor spoke last month about his desire to win a boxing world title and Pacquiao has one to put on the table - the WBA welterweight strap.

But getting down to the 147-pound limit required could prove a challenge to McGregor, who weighed 170 pounds against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 and hasn't fought below 155 pounds since 2015.

McGregor would also need the permission and potential involvement of his UFC bosses.

Dana White is deadset on the 31-year-old's next fight coming against Khabib Nurmagomedov in a rematch of their lightweight title bout.

But the Dagestani has a defence against Tony Ferguson in April followed by Ramadan, forcing McGregor into a long wait which could be filled with a boxing venture.