Skip to content
File composite photo of UFC competitor Conor McGregor (left) and Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jnr. PA Wire

Mayweather says fight with McGregor is what people want

The 40-year-old boxer has been retired since beating Andre Berto in September 2015.

BOXING LEGEND FLOYD Mayweather says he has no problem coming out of retirement to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in what some are predicting will be one of the richest fights in history.

“McGregor is a tough competitor. People all around the world demanded this fight so I had to give them what they wanted to see,” Mayweather told BSOTV in an interview that aired Saturday.

“They asked for this fight. I was in retirement, but they wanted me back and I’m back.”

Mayweather was making his first public comments since Wednesday’s announcement of the much-discussed fight which will take place 26 August in the US boxing capital of Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old Mayweather has been retired since beating Andre Berto in September 2015 and improving his career record to 49-0.

The matchup with McGregor gives Mayweather a chance to reach the 50-0 career milestone.

Asked about financial details of the fight, Mayweather said both sides are pleased.

Both parties are very happy,” Mayweather said. “He’s very happy, I’m very happy and I can’t wait.”

But many boxing experts have slammed the event as an exhibition spectacle, pointing to the fact that the 28-year-old McGregor has never had a professional boxing match and only dabbled in the sport as a teenager.

The pair have yet to get together face-to-face since the announcement but they are expected to announce a promotional tour soon that will take them to a couple of major US cities.

“You’re supposed to stand behind your man. Stand behind the fighter that you believe in,” Mayweather said about McGregor’s supporters. “He’s a hell of a competitor.”

(C) AFP 2017

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Ward stuns Kovalev in rematch to retain three titles>

Paddy Barnes takes WBO European flyweight title in just his third professional bout>

Author
View 36 comments
Close
36 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 5:28 PM

    Rolls Royce of a player Carrick. Won every honour a footballer can.

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Alexander Lynott
    Favourite Conor Alexander Lynott
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 6:52 PM

    @Brian Dunne: Uh, he didn’t win a World Cup.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 7:03 PM

    @Conor Alexander Lynott: as a club player. Playing in England and Europe before you say he hasn’t won la liga

    20
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Alexander Lynott
    Favourite Conor Alexander Lynott
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 7:10 PM

    @Brian Dunne: In your original comment, you didn’t specify club football, you just said ‘every honour’.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 7:20 PM

    @Conor Alexander Lynott: Well now we have it all cleared up. Cheers!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tamagotchi
    Favourite Tamagotchi
    Report
    May 14th 2018, 1:08 PM

    @Brian Dunne: Thanks for clearing that up Brian. Conor really threw a spanner in the works there. Ruined my Sunday to be honest.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DL_8_5
    Favourite DL_8_5
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 6:20 PM

    A whopping 1-0 win against the mighty Watford

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DL_8_5
    Favourite DL_8_5
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 6:35 PM

    @Running Down The Wing: Finish 2nd and the goalie gets player of the year says it all!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Observer2
    Favourite An Observer2
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 8:14 PM

    @DL_8_5: I suppose it’s laughable really since the goalkeeper was actually the best player of the season… imagine, the goalkeeper the best player of the whole season. Madness.

    7
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thatsnotme
    Favourite thatsnotme
    Report
    May 13th 2018, 9:06 PM

    @An Observer2: think it’s more laughable that the guy with the golden boot , PFA awards etc only finishes fourth and by the skin of their teeth

    21
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.