Video: Conor McGregor and ‘uncomfortable’ Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia
In the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an electrifying “Day of Reckoning” boxing event captivated a global audience. The event featured a lineup of the world’s top heavyweight fighters. However, it was as much about the high-profile spectators as the bouts themselves, with sports icons like Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo adding to the glitterati. Scroll down to watch Video: Conor McGregor and ‘Uncomfortable’ Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
Ringside, the always charismatic McGregor was a vortex of energy, visibly animated during a noteworthy interaction with a Saudi adviser at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current Chairman of the General Authority of Entertainment, Turki Al alsheikh. The conversation, which touched on the possibility of McGregor stepping back into the boxing ring, quickly centered on Manny Pacquiao. McGregor, known for his fearless rhetoric, didn’t hold back, challenging Pacquiao to step up to a higher weight class for a potential matchup. Beside him, the football legend Ronaldo watched on, his expression an inscrutable mask, as McGregor’s fervor unfolded.
McGregor’s words were a mix of challenge and provocation.
“Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight class,”
McGregor declared, setting the terms for a fight he has long coveted. He argued for a fight where his full skill set, including kicks and grappling, could be utilized if he moved to a smaller weight class, questioning the fairness of the traditional boxing rules in such a scenario.
His direct challenge to Pacquiao was stark:
“Is he a man or a mouse?”
The history between McGregor and Pacquiao adds layers to this challenge. Both combat sports titans have previously flirted with the idea of a boxing match, though it has remained elusive. Their shared history with Paradigm Sports, which ended in a legal dispute favoring Paradigm, only intensifies McGregor’s pursuit of this fight.
In a revealing interview with iFL TV, McGregor brought up the legal victory that purportedly entitled him to $8 million from Pacquiao, stemming from an alleged breach of contract with Paradigm. McGregor proposed a solution – a fight at his weight class to settle the financial dispute.
As for McGregor’s fighting future, it remains a subject of speculation. Although a UFC bout against Michael Chandler is anticipated, no official date has been set. The fight faced ongoing delays, Pacquiao, meanwhile, has kept a lower profile in professional boxing. His last match dating back to August 2021, though he has kept active with exhibition bouts in 2022.
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