Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Super fight’ will do
Mayweather happy for McGregor showdown
FLOYD Mayweather says only a showdown with UFC superstar Conor McGregor could tempt him back into the boxing ring.
Mayweather signed off his professional career with a points win over Andre Berto in September 2015 to take his record to a perfect 49-0.
However, the former five-weight world champion, who turns 40 next month, has in recent months been linked with a so-called ‘super fight’ in a crossover encounter against McGregor.
Given McGregor has never boxed professionally, a bout with Mayweather appears a complete mismatch on paper.
However, the Irishman, the current UFC lightweight champion and former featherweight titleist, is renowned for his punching power in the octagon.
Crucially, McGregor attained a boxing licence last month, granted by the California State Athletic Commission, which would allow him to box in the state.
And Mayweather admitted that a contest with McGregor, rather than a rematch with fellow pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao, whom he beat via unanimous decision in May 2015, would whet his appetite should he opt to end his retirement.
He said: “The only thing I’m probably interested in is the Conor McGregor fight.
“I’m a businessman and it makes more business sense. Conor McGregor keeps telling everybody he wants the fight. Let’s make it happen.”
McGregor has previously said he would want £81.85 million to take on Mayweather, who similarly wants a guaranteed nine-figure payday.
However, Mayweather, who revealed discussions have taken place over a bout before, believes he is the more marketable star.
He added: “We tried to make the Conor McGregor fight.
“They know what my number is. My number was a guaranteed 100 million dollars. That was my number.
“We are willing to give him £12.28 million and then we can talk about splitting the percentage.
“The backend percentage on payper- view. However, of course we’re the A-side.”