It is no secret that MMA icon Conor McGregor and boxer Michael Conlan are friends, this became apparent when Notorious accompanied him in one of his walkouts in New York.

Conlan is set to fight in the world’s most famous arena Madison Square Garden in New York on St Patrick’s Day, this is part of a five-year structured deal for the fighter to make an appearance there.

Conlan has, however, sparked controversy of late hinting that fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao is a much more dangerous threat and all-round tougher task for friend McGregor than former foe Floyd Mayweather.

Conor made an emphatic return to the Octagon last month with an extremely convincing first-round knockout against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in what was the Irishman’s first fight in over a year since his devastating loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

It seems like a no brainer for Conor to at some point dip his toe back into the sport of boxing, having made an absolute fortune in his previous venture into the squared circle.

Rumours are once again running rife with speculation that ‘Notorious’ could compete in a boxing match against non-other than Pacquiao.

These rumours have gone into overdrive after developments in previous weeks have seen Pacquiao team up with McGregor’s management team; unsurprisingly prompting many to ponder over whether the Irishman would be facing the Filipino in the not too far away future after all.

In an exclusive interview with World Boxing News, Conlan speculated: “I can’t see why he wouldn’t come back”

“I definitely think he will, but do I want to be on the undercard? No. It’s the McGregor show, you’re on the undercard, you’re going to be irrelevant. Everyone will have their eyes on him.

“He is the biggest sports star there is. Let’s be honest, not any bigger sports stars than Conor McGregor.

“I don’t care to be on the undercard, but if he comes back then fair play to him. If he gets the Pacquiao fight, then even better. It’s a much more dangerous fight than fighting Floyd.

“A fight with Manny Pacquiao will generate a lot of money.

“People like to see people who talk get their mouth shut. I’d love to see Conor McGregor win, but there will be people who love him and others who hate him. Some will want to see him lose and others see him win.”

“Manny Pacquiao is still as dangerous as ever. Especially for someone who is not really a boxer. If he was to fight Pacquiao I wouldn’t favour him, but I’d wish him all the best.”