McGregor vs. Pacquiao Preview
On Friday, Conor McGregor shocked the fight world when he announced, via Twitter, that his next fight would not take place inside a UFC octagon, but rather a boxing ring, against Manny Pacquiao.
The fight has not been officially announced yet, but all signs point to McGregor and Pacquiao facing off in the future.
Conor McGregor
McGregor is no rookie when it comes to boxing spectacles. His only professional boxing fight in his career came in 2017 against the best boxer in recent memory, Floyd Mayweather Jr. That megafight ended with McGregor on the canvas, losing via a 10th-round TKO.
This time, McGregor will be facing a man Mayweather has defeated, in Pacquiao. McGregor is one of the best strikers in his UFC weight class, but will be in a different league when entering the boxing ring.
Manny Pacquiao
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the best boxer of the last 20 years, Pacquiao is probably right behind him. Pacquiao is 62-7-2 in 71 professional boxing bouts. He’s currently riding a three-fight win streak, but his last win came in July of 2019.
Pacquiao’s last loss came via unanimous decision at the hands of Jeff Horn in 2017. Pacquiao, like McGregor, is known for his striking prowess and quick hands.
McGregor vs. Pacquiao Betting Breakdown
The fight has not been officially agreed upon, but that hasn’t stopped sportsbooks from pricing up the prospective blockbuster bout.
FOX Bet currently has Pacquio as a massive favorite if the fight was to take place before the conclusion of 2021. As of Sunday, he’s listed at -800, which gives him a whopping 88.9% implied probability to defeat McGregor.
Meanwhile, oddmakers are all but guaranteeing McGregor goes 0-2 to start his boxing career. At +450 he has just an 18.2% shot at victory.
McGregor vs. Pacquiao Betting Odds
| Fighter | Odds (via FOX Bet) | Winnings from $100 Wager |
| Conor McGregor | +450 | $450 |
| Manny Pacquiao | -800 | $12.50 |