Former sparring partner backs in Conor McGregor to take it up to Manny Pacquiao if bout happens

Conor McGregor has been supported by former sparring partner Conor Wallace to shine if the global UFC star was to step back into the world of boxing.

UFC star Conor McGregor has a “puncher’s chance’’ against boxing great Manny Pacquiao, according to a fighter who knows his style better than most.

Brisbane’s Irish-born light-heavyweight boxing champion Conor Wallace spent months sparring with McGregor in the lead-up to the cage fighter’s brutal win over Nate Diaz in Las Vegas in 2016.

McGregor himself has alluded in recent interviews that he could be swayed into a big-time boxing match against Pacquiao if the money was right.

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And Wallace says his high-profile former boss can never be underestimated.

“I sparred with McGregor in Dublin for some time before going with him to Vegas for two months leading up to the Diaz fight,’’ said Wallace, a seven-times Irish champion who is now part of Steve Deller’s powerful Fortitude boxing team.

“McGregor is a born fighter and he hits hard.

“He started off his fighting career as an amateur boxer and he loves the sport.

“For his UFC fight against Donald Cerrone last week he had his old boxing coach Phil Sutcliffe from the Crumlin Boxing Club in his corner.

“He has a puncher’s chance against anyone, including Pacquiao.’’

Brisbane's Conor Wallace with UFC star Conor McGregor. Picture: Supplied

McGregor has only had one professional boxing fight but it was a big one, losing in the ninth round against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

The bout earned the Irishman more than $100 million and Mayweather three times that amount.

Wallace, 23, has been based in Brisbane for more than a year and under the guidance of 2002 Commonwealth Games representative Greg Eadie, has won all seven of his pro fights, picking up the Australian light-heavyweight (79kg) title in October.

He is due to fight tough southpaw Lucas Miller in Melbourne in April.

McGregor prepares for his welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone, which lasted just 43 seconds.

Wallace’s Fortitude teammate Faiga “Django’’ Opelu won the Australian heavyweight title in November and is negotiating to fight Commonwealth Games silver medallist Joe Goodall on the proposed Jeff Horn-Tim Tszyu card.

Welterweight teammate Ben Kite is on an 11-fight winning streak and holds the Australasian title.

Super-bantamweight Conor Quinn made a crushing pro debut on the Horn-Zerafa card last month with a first-round KO.

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