Pacquiao: McGregor showdown

MANILA, Philippines — In his typical cryptic tone, Manny Pacquiao yesterday said there’s a possibility of him fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a boxing match in 2018.

“Possible,” he told ABS-CBN in a very short interview at the airport.

Pacquiao arrived in Manila from General Santos City yesterday morning, and faced questions about his post on social media last week.

He greeted McGregor during Thanksgiving, urging the latter to “stay fit,” and accompanied his Instagram post with the hashtags #realboxingmatch and #2018.

“Bumati lang (Just a greeting),” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao admitted that he watched McGregor’s fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last August. But he could not give a better description of what he saw.

“Iba yung boxing sa MMA (Boxing is different from MMA),” he said.

Asked to rate McGregor as a boxer, the Filipino senator who turns 39 next month said, “Okay naman (He’s okay).”

Pacquiao said he’d never met McGregor in person.

Pacquiao also said he hasn’t spoken to the Irish fighter about the possibility of them facing each other inside the ring.

“Hindi pa (Not yet),” he added.