Mega-hype grows for the mega-fight
IT’S the Fight of the Century that almost started five days early.
When Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather crossed paths in Las Vegas yesterday a scuffle broke out as insults were exchanged between their entourages outside T Phone Arena, the venue for Sunday’s billion-dollar fight.
It turns out UFC champion McGregor wasn’t happy Mayweather wouldn’t participate in a face-off when the two superstars held their first fight-week press conference.
And he told him so. Day by day the hype is ramping up.
“I said to him ‘are you afraid?’,” McGregor said.
“Then some of the goons that were with him started pushing and shoving.
“Why not face off? What’s he worried about.”
The confidence and cockiness of both fighters was there for all to see.
Especially McGregor who is now saying he will stop the undefeated champion inside two rounds.
The bookies rate him no chance of winning but McGregor won’t have a bar of it.
“I’m notoriously a fast starter,” he said.
“I’ll knock him out in one or two rounds. I’ll flatten him.
“I’m a freak fighter and I’ll be the king of both sports.
“I don’t give a f... about his defence, I don’t give a f… about his offence.
“I don’t give a f… about his record, his accomplishments.
“I know exactly how I’m going to break him down.”
Not that any of this is worrying Mayweather.
He looks as calm and as collected as in his previous 49 fights. He’s so confident of stopping the UFC champion that he is considering putting a $5 million bet on himself – to collect $6 million.
It was the talk of the sports betting agencies at the big casinos yesterday.
Mayweather is so relaxed about the outcome that he will spend every night this week mingling with guests at his recently opened strip club on the main drag of Las Vegas.
“That’s where I want to be,” he said.
“I’m partying all week and you’re all welcome. I’m ready now for the fight. I’ve been blessed with fast feet, fast hands. I’m just focusing on what I’ve got to do. I’m not nervous or anything.
“When he gets hit he’s going to find out it’s totally different to what he’s used to.”
Foxtel’s Main Event channel will broadcast Sunday’s fight and the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe, says the fight will attract record subscription numbers in Australia.
“Floyd is well aware and very grateful for the support he has always had out of Australia,” Ellerbe said.
The fight is already the biggest ever pay per view event in the United States four days before they step into the ring.