There’s no doubt Conor McGregor opened a few eyes – except Carl Froch’s of course – on his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather last night.
Despite a 10th round stoppage win for Money Mayweather, many feel that McGregor has got a rather notorious future in the sport and the Irishman seems to have left what’s next for him wide open saying in the post-fight press conference that he’s a “free agent”.
With that in mind, there was a man watching the bout at ring side last night who is a readymade box office draw should the pair agree to fight and that’s Paulie Malignaggi. Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day has even been mentioned as possible date and venue for the fight.
Punch out some great boxing bets on PaddyPower.comAfter his bout with @FloydMayweather, who next for Conor McGregor?
Could Paulie Malignaggi be a future opponent? pic.twitter.com/nWPDJZZM6h
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) August 27, 2017
Malignaggi infamously agreed to spar McGregor in the lead-up to Mayweather bout, but he left the camp soon after following a bitter row over photos being released of the New Yorker on his back in the ring.
He was enraged further as (edited) leaked footage of the spar showed McGregor battering him around the ring.
Despite the clips, our traders have made the American a 2/5 favourite to make McGregor’s record 0-2. Meanwhile, the pride of Dublin is a 9/4 underdog should the fight take place.
With the boxing and MMA worlds at Conor’s feet, Malignaggi is a strong front runner at 4/7 to be McGregor’s next opponent should he stick with the sweet science.
However, if the Malignaggi match-up does not come to pass, a possible fight with Amir Khan is next on the list at 5/1 and a dust-up with another boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao comes in at 10/1.
McGregor v Malignaggi
McGregor – 9/4
Draw – 33/1
Malignaggi – 2/5
McGregor’s Next Boxing Opponent
Paulie Malignaggi – 4/7
Amir Khan – 5/1
Manny Pacquiao – 10/1
Canelo Álvarez – 33/1
Gennady Golovkin – 50/1