Arum thumbs down fight between Pacquiao, McGregor

MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank Inc. boss Bob Arum is not enthusiastic about the prospect of Manny Pacquiao taking on UFC star Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

For Arum, McGregor — who recently tried his luck in boxing against Floyd Mayweather Jr.  — has no business being in a boxing ring.

"If we equate boxing with fighting — because I'm not talking about his ability as an MMA participant because he has been very good with that — Conor McGregor can't spell fight,” the veteran promoter recently told CBS Sports.

Mayweather stopped McGregor in nine rounds of their fight last May, which turned out to be a financial success.

Pacquiao, for his part, made noise last week when he tweeted McGregor a Thanksgiving message that also sounded like an invitation for a showdown.

But Arum is barely interested.

"Mayweather carried him before he took him out. With Manny, it wouldn't be a contest, it would be a money grab," Pacquiao’s longtime promoter continued.

"Conor McGregor is not a boxer and does not know how to box. His stance is a stance of an MMA fighter who has to protect against kicks and takedowns. He is not competitive with any fighter no matter how old that fighter is,” he added.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since losing to Australian Jeff Horn last July, and boxing observers are clueless as to his career plans. But he could fight again early next year against any interested opponent.

Just don’t expect it to be McGregor right away.

"The answer is no, I wouldn't particularly look forward to doing a fight featuring McGregor and Pacquiao,” Arum insisted.

There is, however, one reason for Arum to explore a Pacquiao-McGregor boxing duel.

“If Manny asked me to, I would," said Arum.