The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
McGregor gives thought to staying in boxing despite Las Vegas defeat.
Irish UFC fighter ‘not sure what’s next’ after being outclassed by Mayweather
Conor McGregor will consider remaining in boxing despite being thoroughly outclassed and stopped in 10 rounds by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
Following a fast-paced start in which he landed few punches of significance, he could do little to resist the effects of both fatigue in his professional boxing debut and Mayweather’s unusually aggressive approach at the T-Mobile Arena.
The fantasy fight between the highestprofile figures from boxing and the UFC swiftly proved a mismatch in which McGregor repeatedly avoided punishment from referee Robert Byrd for punching behind the head.
By its conclusion he was an exhausted fighter, impressing only through his resilience and determination to remain on his feet amid Mayweather’s hurtful right hands, and until Byrd’s intervention in what the American insists will be his final fight.
“I’m not sure what’s next,” McGregor said after the light-middleweight match-up that will earn him a reported minimum purse of £23 million, by some distance a career-high.
Possible opponents mentioned have included Amir Khan and Kell Brook.
“I have multiple world titles in the UFC to think about as well as the boxing, said the Irishman.
“I’m a student of the game and I’ve studied Floyd and it was an honour to share the ring with him.
“I will get back into my jiu-jitsu and freestyle wrestling training and we will see what’s next.
“I have many options in the sport of MMA,” he said.
The 29-year-old McGregor had walked into the post-fight press conference drinking whisky, and following the often foul-mouthed exchanges between the two, spoke of his respect for his conqueror.
“You’re a composed individual,” he said. “You didn’t get rattled; you made three game changes during the fight and that’s what a true champion does. I would have liked to see the end of the 10th and where it brought us, but he’s one hell of a competitor.”
Mayweather remained adamant that this will be the final fight of his decorated career. He has previously insisted he is retiring before being lured back, most recently by McGregor, but with this latest victory improved his record to 50-0 and, in doing so, ensured he surpasses the great Rocky Marciano.
Though dominant, his performance was not to the polished level he demonstrated at his very peak, and he claimed afterwards the recurring problem with his “brittle” hands prevented him from sparring for a month.
“I knew he was going to be awkward from the beginning,” he said.
“He lasted a little longer than we expected, but I stuck to the game-plan.”