Possible opponents for Manny Pacquiao return fight include Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, and Conor McGregor

Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division champion, has not fought professionally since losing his WBA welterweight title to Yordenis Ugas. The Filipino slugger is looking to make a return to the ring in an exhibition boxing match against Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek.

Ever since his loss to Ugas, many top combat sports athletes have been linked to a potential fight with Pacquiao, with Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Conor McGregor, and Floyd Mayweather Junior at the forefront of that list.

Manny Pacquiao Wants Conor McGregor in His Return Fight

Manny Pacquiao is interested in a boxing bout with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, as per Pacquiao’s manager Sean Gibbons. McGregor has already stated his interest in the fight in Saudi Arabia where he was seen publicly bashing the legendary Filipino boxer.

“One of the fights that people talked about for a long time was Manny Pacquiao versus Conor McGregor,” said Gibbons in an interview with Boxing Scene. “That’s something that will be sensational in Saudi Arabia, let’s go,” GIbbons further added citing the potential blockbuster nature of the event in Riyadh.

“It’s a very intriguing and fun fight bringing two of the biggest names together in combat sports, “Gibbons went on to praise both McGregor and Pacquiao, who are among the biggest names in combat sports in the 21st century.

McGregor first expressed his interest in fighting Pacquiao preluding his fight with UFC veteran Donald Cerrone. It was the second fight of the Irishman after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Junior and became the undefeated boxer’s 50th professional boxing victim.

Why is Davis and Garcia likely to be tougher than McGregor fight?

Conor McGregor is not the only fighter who could potentially get an opportunity to share the ring with Manny Pacquiao. Sean Gibbons also laid out their plans to have fights with top names in the current professional boxing circuit.

“Manny feels that he’s in tremendous shape. He’s training for this exhibition but hopefully, that will lead to something bigger and better,” said Gibbons of their plans after the highly anticipated Muay Thai fight.

“Would love to fight Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia,” Gibbons further added about Pacquiao’s interest in boxing the undefeated knockout machine Gervonta Davis and the immensely popular Ryan Garcia.

Pacquiao considers bouts with Davis and Garcia tougher than facing The Notorious. This is because, despite McGregor being bigger than the young boxers, he has only a single professional boxing match on his resume. In contrast, Davis and Garcia have risen through the ranks, even from the amateur boxing circuit.

Gervonta has not fought since he knocked out Garcia with a body shot. He recently demanded two Ferrari’s to fight in Riyadh after Turki Alalshikh revealed interest in making the fight between Davis and Haney. Garcia rebounded from his loss to Davis with a victory and has plans to fight either Devin Haney or Rolly Romero.

Who do you think will Manny Pacquiao fight first after his exhibition boxing bout?