AS MUCH AS the focus was  supposed to be on Micheal Conlan owing to his first professional bout at Madison Square Garden, Conor McGregor quickly became the centre of attention after he escorted the Belfast boxer into the ring.

With a potential bout against Floyd Mayweather on the cards, the MMA star was intent on some self-promotion.

“Watch me take over boxing – trust me on that”, he told boxing reporters ringside.

“No one in this boxing game knows what’s coming. When I step in I’m going to shock the whole God damn world. Look me in the eyes – 28 years of age, confident as a motherfucker”.

“You’re all gonna eat your words – the whole world is gonna eat their words”, he continued.

When quizzed about when the bout will actually take place, McGregor was coy.

“It’s getting close – you’ll hear about it – I am boxing.”

The potential clash has been talked about for quite a while without any confirmation of date or venue but MMA chief Dana White has said it’s now inevitable that the pair will go head-to-head – it’s just a matter of when.

‘That was beautiful work’: McGregor ringside as Michael Conlan delivers first professional win

McGregor v Mayweather superfight is inevitable, says UFC boss Dana White