Conor McGregor indicated that he will be fighting in MMA next. Photo / AP Photo
Conor McGregor indicated that he will be fighting in MMA next. Photo / AP Photo
Conor McGregor has dismissed rumours he will step into the boxing ring against Manny Pacquiao, saying he wants his next fight to be an MMA bout.
There was speculation the UFC star would face Filipino boxing legend Pacquiao after the 39-year-old recently confirmed reports the Irishman and him were thrashing out plans to square off in 2018.
McGregor made the switch to boxing for the first time in August, losing to Floyd Mayweather via a 10th round knockout.
UFC president Dana White rejected suggestions The Notorious would be having a second crack with the gloves on anytime soon, taking to social media on the weekend to clear the air.
You couldn't blame McGregor for tossing up the idea of boxing again. Even though he was no match for Mayweather, the man who makes no bones about being in the fight game for the money left Las Vegas with a much beefier bank balance.
The superfight was the second richest boxing bout in history, long-awaited final figures revealed on Saturday.
A statement from Showtime sports said the August fight generated 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America. Only one other fight — Mayweather's 2015 bout with Pacquiao — has ever drawn more, racking up 4.6 million buys.
The Mayweather-McGregor pay-per-view total is almost double the third biggest fight of all time, Oscar De La Hoya's 2007 fight with Mayweather, which had 2.48 million buys.
Showtime said in a statement that global revenues, including ticket sales, sponsorship and international distribution, Mayweather and McGregor had exceeded $US600 million.
"The pairing of Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor brought together two very significant and distinct global fan bases in one truly unprecedented event," Showtime Sports chief Stephen Espinoza told ESPN.
"The remarkable results are all the more impressive considering that the planning, marketing and execution took place across a span of just 72 days from the initial announcement to fight night."
Last week, Pacquiao admitted he'd opened talks with McGregor over a big-money fight in April next year.
Pacquiao said: "If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is OK with both of us.
"(Talks?) Initially, but we have not yet had any follow-up conversations."
Floyd Mayweather Jr. in action against Conor McGregor. Photo /
ŠINPHO/Derek Hogan
The best in the business at drumming up hype, McGregor hasn't shut the door on boxing altogether. Last week he teased of a rematch with Mayweather.
He also raised the possibility of meeting in the Octagon this time, and Mayweather this week revealed he'd received a billion dollar, multi-fight offer to try his hand in the UFC.
"What sickens me is that the little mother f***er is retired now," McGregor said. "If I had another go with him, under boxing rules, I'd get that win.
"He had to change his whole approach. With those lessons I learned, with another go around, I'd get it.
"He's 50-0 and getting on, I'm not calling him out. I'll sit back. We'll see how he gets on with this round of money. Maybe I'll get another call? Originally, he was saying an MMA bout next. That's what he said before the fight.
"He did say an MMA fight. So if he wants to, lets f***ing do it.
"I'd like to see him come over to our side and have a knock. I earned their respect and put myself out there. Style over to my side and earn our respect now."
