Manny Pacquiao Reveals Interest in Fighting MMA

by Kid Nate

Unlike James Toney, Manny Pacquiao is a huge draw all around the world and if he were actually to fight MMA while still in his boxing prime, it would be the biggest MMA fight of all time. (AP Photo/LM Otero)


During a recent press conference, BoxingScene.com's Bill Emes and Michael Marley cornered Manny Pacquiao on the subject of Mixed Martial Arts. Pacquiao said he watched MMA and UFC, but said it was "too brutal" when asked for his thoughts on the sport.

When asked if he would ever consider trying his hand at Mixed Martial Arts, Pacquiao replied to BoxingScene - "I want to, but they [promters and management] don't want me to fight."

He said if promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and adviser Michael Koncz said it was okay, he would consider entering the cage. Michael Koncz cut in at that point and told Pacquiao - "you know that you could do what you want."

I'm sure that Pacquiao's promoters would never let him near a UFC cage except for one thing -- there really aren't many big money pay days left for Pacquiao in boxing. Floyd Mayweather seems bent on ducking him and blowing the biggest boxing bout of the young century. Manny is already reduced to fighting Antonio Margarito, a man who has been caught loading his gloves -- the most dangerous cheat in boxing.

In three to five years if Mayweather still hasn't been convinced to get into the ring with Pacquiao -- or if he does and is beaten by Pac -- I wouldn't think it completely outside the realm of possibility that he does an MMA fight. If the UFC wanted to really break some PPV records or make a big splash in the Philippines, booking a Pacquiao MMA fight would be a sure fire ticket.

If I were Pac and his handlers, I'd want at least 18 months to train for MMA and a couple of build up fights against guys with limited grappling abilities before facing anyone really formidable. But even in the best case scenario, I don't see Pac ever being an MMA champ in a major promotion and any losses he took in the cage would inevitably damage his brand value and that of boxing as a whole.

But if boxing can't provide the epic matchups worthy of such a great and popular fighter, maybe its time as the pre-eminent world wide combat sport are drawing to a close.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/9/3/1667503/manny-pacquiao-i-want-to-try-mma

I think pac is small enough and fast enough that he could catch on quick unlike james toney. Give pac a year of wrestling and JJ with a little KB and MT he would be a beast for the average fighter.

I doubt it happens, once Manny retires he'll be busy with his congress job.

He would have to take a major pay cut. Better do it for the love of fighting or the thrill of a challenge. Doesn't matter, this isn't happening.

Damn it would be good to see Jose Aldo kick his ass.

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Damn it would be good to see Jose Aldo kick his ass.

that would be ugly

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Damn it would be good to see Jose Aldo kick his ass.

You don't like Manny ?

over bob arum's dead body will he ever fight in mma

oggy420 wrote:

over bob arum's dead body will he ever fight in mma

Bob's an old man, he's 79 years old.

Ali_1748 wrote:

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Damn it would be good to see Jose Aldo kick his ass.

You don't like Manny ?

Can't stand him.

I love Manny, but Aldo would kick his body in half. I could think of 8 other guys on WEC that would make him look like an average fighter in the cage. He should stick to boxing and not fighting. He is too far along in his career to make a move now.

Beat that turd PBF and make the world happy Manny!

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Damn it would be good to see Jose Aldo kick his ass.

You don't like Manny ?

Can't stand him.

wow even I like Manny, and I detest his fans.

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

LMAO

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

That's gotta be embarrassing nowadays

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

WOW! What an example

bobbitt15 wrote:

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

That's gotta be embarrassing nowadays

Not really. I prefer people speaking their mind than puppets who only speak when their master allows them.

I prefer people that aren't worthless pieces of trash. I guess that's why I'm on the other side lol

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

bobbitt15 wrote:

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Why would you hate Manny? Flat out hate success?

I also detest his fans and I prefer FMJ over him. If I hated success I wouldn't like Brock would I?

That's gotta be embarrassing nowadays

Not really. I prefer people speaking their mind than puppets who only speak when their master allows them.

There is a difference between speaking your mind and being an ignorant prick.

Ali, if I just stared at your signature for 10 minutes, does that count as exercise?

KrazyHorseBennett wrote:

Ali, if I just stared at your signature for 10 minutes, does that count as exercise?

hahaha, depends on whether your brain tells your body to start burning fat.

The sport of boxing is a rotting corpse but the forum is more active than ours the last two days. Strange

Wolfgangsta wrote:

The sport of boxing is a rotting corpse but the forum is more active than ours the last two days. Strange

The sport is alive and well, you forget it doesn't rely on one country.