Manny Pacquiao wants 'a real fight' against Conor McGregor, and says Floyd Mayweather is 'scared' to box

• Manny Pacquiao takes part in a boxing exhibition Saturday in South Korea.
• The Filipino fighting legend appears to hope it leads to bigger events in 2023.
• The 43-year-old would welcome matches against Floyd Mayweather or Conor McGregor.

Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring for his last boxing exhibition of the year Saturday but told Insider this week he intends to continue his prizefighting career long into next year, too.

The Filipino fighting legend, a former champion across an unprecedented eight weight classes, takes on DK Yoo in South Korea at an event broadcast on Fite for $28.99.

Mayweather is 'scared to death' to fight Pacquiao, Manny said

Pacquiao hopes it leads to big contests against Floyd Mayweather or Conor McGregor in the near future. "That's what we're looking for," Pacquiao told us. "Not only exhibitions but a real fight."

The 43-year-old said one fight is likelier than the other.

"I'm still active in professional boxing, so I can fight him anytime he wants," Pacquiao said. "But I don't think that he will fight me — he's scared to death to fight me again."

Pacquiao and Mayweather fought once before in 2015, with the American outclassing him over 12 rounds in the best-selling boxing event of all time.

Pacquiao said he would not trade legacies with Mayweather

Despite the defeat, Pacquiao would not swap his legacy — winning world titles in a record number of divisions — for Mayweather's; remaining unbeaten over 50 bouts.

"There are a few undefeated boxers who retired with more wins than him," he said, hinting at fighters like Ricardo Lopez and Jimmy Barry.

"So being undefeated is not unusual but to get to eight different weight divisions is not an easy accomplishment," he said.

Regarding a box office fight with UFC star McGregor, a former champion across two weight divisions in MMA and a fighter awaiting his comeback to the Octagon next year, Pacquiao said, "That's still possible."

Pacquiao and McGregor have been linked to a $250 million mega match in recent years but interest has cooled off in that crossover bout perhaps due to the Irishman's losing run.

Pacquiao would relish a fight with McGregor, though

A fight with McGregor still appears to interest Pacquiao.

"It depends on the negotiation, maybe after this exhibition match but whether it's a real fight or an exhibition fight, I'd look forward to it," he said.