Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao has just got one step closer

Here we go again.

Conor McGregor's first foray into the world of professional boxing didn't exactly turn out great as he was schooled by Floyd Mayweather in their much-maligned meeting in August. Purists slammed the bout, which ended with Mayweather's first stoppage in six years, and it was suggested that 'The Notorious' would return to the UFC with an 0-1 boxing record but $100 million richer. But considering McGregor's undeniable drawing power, boxers are still lining up in the hope of convincing the public of the merit of his second outing as a pugilist. McGregor will bring eyes to any fight and that fact translates directly to pay-per-view success so the call-outs are understandable. Former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao recently hinted that wheels were in motion for a clash with McGregor in 2018 and while that was largely written off as unrealistic, perhaps there's more to it than it initially seemed. The boxing legend has claimed that he's made contact with McGregor's camp in the hopes of putting together another bizarre boxer vs. mixed martial artist contest next year. When asked if he had been in touch with McGregor's representatives, Pacquiao revealed that he had reached out. "Initially," Pacquiao told AFP. "But we have not yet had any follow-up conversations. "If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is OK with both of us." https://twitter.com/mannypacquiao/status/933684224749481984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skysports.com%2Fboxing%2Fnews%2F12183%2F11162085%2Fmanny-pacquiao-and-conor-mcgregor-in-talks-over-april-fight Pacquiao most recently lost his WBO welterweight title to the relatively unheralded Jeff Horn in Brisbane but was set for a rematch with the former schoolteacher, only to pull out due to political commitments. Understandably torn between avenging a loss and claiming one of the most lucrative paydays of his entire career, Pacquiao wants to return to the ring before next summer. "It depends who they can finalise as my opponent by April," he said.