Floyd’s a hit for bookmakers

Ladbrokes Coral has revealed last weekend’s Floyd Mayweather fight against Conor McGregor was its biggest betting event outside the Grand National.

Jim Mullen said support for Irishman McGregor “took us by surprise” as bets on the Irishman outstripped amounts wagered on his undefeated veteran opponent.

But he said Mayweather’s victory in the 10th round of the fight in Las Vegas saved the group from a “bloody nose”.

Despite the boost, the firm said the start of the football season would be the “crucial sporting action” for the next six months.

The group, formed in a £2.3billion merger last November, posted a 7% rise in profits to £158.3million for the six months to the end of June.