Dubai: One Fighting Championship (One FC) owner and CEO, Victor Cui, has ruled out the possibility of eight-division world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao moving into mixed martial arts (MMA).
Pacquiao, 35, recently became a minority shareholder of One FC, but his fellow Filipino, Cui, denied Pac-Man would be trading the ring for the cage anytime soon.
“We haven’t talked about that [switching to MMA],” said Cui. “But when he put on a pair of One FC gloves for the first time, he did pound his fists together and say how much damage he would love to do in them.
“Pacquiao switching to MMA really isn’t the focus of our partnership, though. He’s a pretty busy entrepreneur, politician and professional boxer, his plate is full. People are talking about his aspirations to run for President [for the Philippines].
“It’s great that has decided to be part of One FC and help us grow. It’s a similar story to [former baseball and American football star] Bo Jackson, one of the first multiple sports athletes, except that Manny won’t be participating as an athlete, he’ll be lending his weight as a spokesman and promoter.
“Just this week he was in Macau in a press conference to discuss his November 22 fight against America’s Chris Algieri and instead he was fielding questions on One FC. That is just a small example of how that partnership is building.
“Where we go from here? We haven’t spent too long talking about it. He’s focusing on his upcoming fight. But I’ll see him in New York in a couple of weeks and we will continue to brainstorm.
“There are a number of fighters he is looking to represent, he’s considering going into athlete management. He’s gym mates with Ana Julaton, who is on our August 29 card in Dubai, so, there are multiple touch points between us.”
