MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer turned politician Manny Pacquiao shed some light regarding his viral tweet last week wherein he appeared to call out mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor.

Happy Thanksgiving @TheNotoriousMMA Stay fit my friend. #realboxingmatch #2018 pic.twitter.com/3ze20fZgpe

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) November 23, 2017

"Happy thanksgiving, stay fit my friend," Pacquiao tweeted through his official account, adding the hashtag "realboxingmatch."

McGregor infamously competed in his first ever professional boxing match earlier this year, when he challenged Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August. He gave a good account of himself before getting stopped in the tenth round.

Asked by Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN News about his tweet, Pacquiao admitted that he has never even met McGregor, and his tweet was simply that – a greeting.

"Pagbati lang sa holiday season," said Pacquiao. "Pagbati lang, kasi holiday season eh."

A post shared by Dyan Castillejo (@dyancastillejo) on Nov 27, 2017 at 8:55pm PST

Nevertheless, Pacquiao said that a bout against McGregor is "possible" – as long as it takes place in a boxing ring with boxing rules, and not in the Octagon.

A post shared by Dyan Castillejo (@dyancastillejo) on Nov 27, 2017 at 8:59pm PST

"Possible, yeah, 'pag boxing lang," said the "Pacman."Sabi ko nga, iba 'yung boxing eh, iba 'yung boxing sa MMA."

The 38-year-old Pacquiao has not fought since controversially losing his welterweight title to Jeff Horn of Australia back in July.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.