Manny Pacquiao talks up fight with UFC star Conor McGregor in 2018

Pacquiao admitted there had been contact between his and McGregor's camps

The fight will be in April during a recess in the Philippine Senate (Getty )

Manny Pacquiao has admitted that he has opened talks to fight Conor McGregor, in what would be the UFC star’s second foray into the boxing ring after losing to Floyd Mayweather in August.

McGregor has not fought at all since losing in a 10^th-round TKO to Mayweather in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao’s last bout also ended in defeat against Jeff Horn in July.

The fight is likely to take place in April, when the Philippine is due to take a break from his legislative duties after being elected into the Philippine Senate in 2016.

“If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is ok with both of us,” Pacquiao, who also lost to Mayweather back in 2015, said. And when asked his he had already approached McGregor’s people for the fight, he said: “Initially, but we have not yet had any follow-up conversations.”

However, he also stressed that McGregor is only one of a few possible opponents when he ends his ring absence next year.

“It depends who they can finalise as my opponent by April,” Pacquiao said, insisting that the fight had to happen during the lengthy senate recess.

The 38-year-old teased a potential fight with McGregor last month when he tweeted a photo of the Irishman with the caption: “Happy Thanksgiving @TheNotoriousMMA Stay fit my friend. #realboxingmatch #2018”.

Other options Pacquiao include a rematch with Horn or WBA and WBC welterweight champions Keith Thurman, with Malaysia, Dubai and Macau all being touted as potential locations.