Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao isn't looking likely. Credits: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images and Melina Pizano/Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao offers grim update on Conor McGregor fight after being branded a coward by UFC legend

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 4:33 AM ET

Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring at 46-years-old doesn’t look like it will feature a clash with Conor McGregor.

For years, former two-weight UFC champion McGregor has pursued Pacquiao for what would have been his second professional boxing outing after a losing effort to Floyd Mayweather in 2017. But he has been unable to make it happen through different issues arising throughout their feud.

Now, Pacquiao is set to fight for a world title against Mario Barrios, while McGregor appears to be no closer to a return to action at all. It’s a far cry from 2023, when the Irishman branded Pacquiao a coward and asked if he was ‘a man or a mouse’ in a viral interaction with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manny Pacquiao pours cold water on Conor McGregor fight talks

Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing around the time that Conor McGregor was last stepping into the UFC octagon, hanging up the gloves following a loss to Yordenis Ugas. At the time, it had been just months since talks broke down for a clash between the UFC legend and his boxing rival.

Unfortunately for both men, the coronavirus pandemic and McGregor’s subsequent losses to Dustin Poirier put paid to any plans, and the bout was shelved. And speaking with Bloody Elbow at the famous Wild Card Gym in California today, Pacquiao seemed unsure about the future of the fight.

Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images

“I don’t know,” he replied when asked if the McGregor fight is still something that interests him. “I don’t know because there are a lot of issues.”

One of those would appear to be weight, with Pacquiao never weighing in any heavier than 162lb even for an exhibition, while McGregor has ballooned into the 185 or even 190lb region during his time off. His last scheduled UFC fight was due to be at 170lb, and he last made 155lb for Poirier four years ago.

He has previously argued that Pacquiao should give up the weight given that he is offering up a compromise in his entire skillset. But that, along with other legal issues, might be enough to stifle the bout.

Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr admits he is Conor McGregor fan as he predicts super-fight outcome

Should it happen, one man who would be excited is Pacquiao’s 24-year-old son Emmanuel Jr. The youngster is set to make his professional debut on his dad’s undercard on July 19, and admits he is a fan of the Irishman and would like to see the fight.

“Conor is a lot bigger,” Pacquiao Jr admitted in an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow. “They would have had to find a weight that was good for both, I guess. But I just don’t think boxing is Conor’s world so it wouldn’t have gone well for him.”

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The youngster even laughed off the infamous Ronaldo video, adding: “That’s just classic Conor, I’m a big fan of Conor actually, he’s a really cool guy and that would be sick if they do fight. It would be fun for sure.

“There have been a lot of rumors but right now he’s focused on this one, and so far I don’t know what he wants to do after this one.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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