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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 11: UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor hits a heavy bag during a media workout at the UFC Performance Institute on August 11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McGregor will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 11: UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor hits a heavy bag during a media workout at the UFC Performance Institute on August 11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McGregor will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Conor McGregor will return to the octagon in a few weeks’ time. The Irish superstar is among the biggest names in combat sports period. Dana White recently stated that Conor McGregor is back and motivated, which spells good news for not only the UFC but fight fans in general. Conor will take on Dustin at UFC 257. However, speculation is rife about what he will do next.
‘The Notorious’ has not shied away from making it known that he wants to box again. At the top of his hit list is Manny Pacquiao. McGregor has hinted multiple times that he would like this fight and also shared a poster of a fight on his social media. Conor promptly took down the post shortly after posting it.
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Conor McGregor to box in 2021?
While speaking to The Sun, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman explained what it would take for McGregor to fight for a title. He said, “I would say, he needs to face and defeat a ranked fighter, then he would be eligible to be ranked and to compete for a title. Because, we have plenty of examples of Muay Thai fighters, who turn professional in international boxing, and they are eligible to fight for the title”
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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 26: (R-L) Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a punch at Conor McGregor during their super welterweight boxing match on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Sulaiman Continued, “But, to compete and become a world champion in the WBC, he would need to fight in boxing and by merit be ranked. Then, he would be in the position to challenge. I don’t know what weight category he would be, but definitely he would need to get a decisive win against a quality opponent to be considered to be ranked.”
Conor put on an impressive display in his first fight as a professional boxer against arguably the greatest boxer of his generation. A fight against Manny Pacquiao is sure to do extremely well for both men involved.
However, for that to happen, UFC President Dana White has to be on board. In recent interviews, White has stated that he would like Conor to stick to MMA for this year, as the opportunities for boxing fight will be available later down the line as well.
Do you think we will get to see Conor McGregor boxing in 2021? Let us know in the comments below!