Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao signs for same management agency as UFC’s Conor McGregor
- UFC star McGregor welcomes Pacquiao ‘to the team’ after announcing a deal with Paradigm Sports Management
- The pair are a step closer to a boxing crossover bout after years of rumours and months of ‘ongoing’ talks
Irish mixed martial artist star Conor McGregor welcomed Manny Pacquiao “to the team” after it was announced the Filipino boxing legend had signed with the same management agency, Paradigm Sports Management, fuelling rumours of a future crossover fight.
“I am proud to partner with Paradigm Sports Management and am excited for the opportunities that [CEO] Audie Attar and [the team] have to offer,” the 41-year-old Pacquiao said in a statement to ESPN.
“One thing I want everyone to remember is to always think positively. Never think negatively; that is the beginning of your downfall. Everything is possible.”
Paradigm CEO Attar, who also works with the likes of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, post a photo and video of the contract procedure on his Instagram.
“Incredibly proud to announce that [Paradigm] is officially representing Manny Pacquiao. We have reached this point thanks to the countless hours spent on both sides and I’d like to thank everyone involved in the process. I am honoured to partner with Arnold Ping, lawyer Brando [Viernesto] and Jayke [Joson], along with all the rest of Team Pacquiao back in Manila and cannot wait to work with Manny in this stage of his already prolific career,” Attar said.