Pacquiao still tied up with PBC

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao signing with the same sports management agency as UFC star  Conor McGregor does not affect his current ties with Premier Boxing Champions, which has promoted the Filipino icon’s last two fights.

Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao’s right-hand man who also heads MP Promotions, said the fighting senator will still be part of the PBC stable.

“Senator has fights with PBC,” Gibbons told Philstar.com.

Earlier this week, Pacquiao announced he signed with Paradigm Sports Management, which includes McGregor and women’s MMA standout Cris Cyborg among its clients.

The signing has fueled speculations that Pacquiao is keen on luring McGregor to a boxing match, especially now that the flamboyant Irishman has had a taste of the boxing limelight when he fought and lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since outpointing Keith Thurman in July last year to become the WBA “super” welterweight champion.

It was Pacquiao’s second fight under PBC, which is headed by the influential but reclusive Al Haymon. The first was against Adrien Broner, who Pacquiao routed a few months earlier.

Pacquiao isn’t expected to be back in the boxing ring until the second half of the year.