McGregor can upset Pacquiao, says Holyfield

Former two-division UFC world champion Conor McGregor is capable of beating Manny Pacquiao in his own game, according to retired heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.

In an interview with The Sun, Holyfield stated that the Irish mixed martial arts superstar had a chance if he could implement a proper game plan inside the boxing ring.

“Well, he’s got longer arms. So he has reach advantage,” he said.

“So he has to keep Pacquiao to the side and throw the punches straight, which is going to be difficult. You’re talking about fighting somebody who has been doing boxing their whole life.”

Talks of a showdown between Pacquiao and McGregor erupted last year when both camps confirmed that they are communicating for a possible matchup.

McGregor, 32, is scheduled to face former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in a highly anticipated rematch in the main event of UFC 257 on Jan. 23 in Abu Dhabi.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, has not fought since July 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman to claim the WBA world welterweight title.

Should the prospective fight between the two come to fruition, Holyfield warned that McGregor had some skills to unleash even in boxing.

“McGregor’s strength is grabbing people and turning people and flipping people, where he had more things to think about,” Holyfield stated.

“However, anybody who gets in the ring has some chance, I believe. You ain’t getting in the ring if you think you ain’t got a chance. And McGregor has some skills too,” he added.

“He has that heart to fight, heart of a fighter. He can fight so ain’t nobody just going to beat him up in no kind of way. Just like the boxers, he has the mentality of a fighter.”

While Holyfield conceded that Pacquiao had the advantage in a boxing match against McGregor, he warned that it would be wise to not underestimate someone like the Irish MMA superstar.

“Manny, even if he went into an MMA fight he would get kicked but he will get some punches in there and fight, he may get tore up in the end but he is a fighter who is able to do something because of the mentality and how we fighters think. So, McGregor has a chance.” – JM Siasat/RC, GMA News