Arum: If McGregor Can't Get Mayweather, Then Pacquiao is There!

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum is ready to have Manny Pacquiao step in - if Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not sign his portion of the deal to face UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a cross-sports boxing match.

McGregor, who has a licence to box in California, insisted last week he signed a contract with the UFC, to move forward with a Mayweather fight and awaits the retired pound-for-pound king's response.

The undefeated 40-year-old has remained inactive since he outpointed Andre Berto in September 2015. Few expected he would retire with a record of 49 victories, level with Rocky Marciano, and in the past 12 months there has been increasing speculation regarding a match-up with Ireland's McGregor.

UFC President Dana White is now planning to negotiate the other portion of the deal, with Mayweather and his adviser Al Haymon.

"The only fight that makes sense to me is the McGregor fight. I guess I have one more obstacle that I have to get over. We have to give the people what they want to see. The fans demand that fight; we have to give them what they want to see to make them happy. When Floyd Mayweather fights, it's history. When it's time to do what I have to, I'll look tremendous, and sharp," Mayweather said.

Arum, who promoted Mayweather from the moment he turned pro until 2006, advised White to stay strong during negotiations.

"Be patient, don't give in. Dana is a good negotiator and he'll get the thing done, but he can't allow himself to get pushed around by Mayweather and his people," Arum told TMZ.

If the Mayweather deal falls through, Arum says WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is ready to step in and fight McGregor.

Pacquiao is scheduled to make a defense of his title against Jeff Horn on July 1 [July 2 in Australia] in Brisbane.

"Pacquiao has a really tough fight in Australia with this guy Jeff Horn. After that fight, on July 1st in the United States, if McGregor is still looking for an opponent - Manny Pacquiao is there," Arum said.