Big fight will feature small gloves
Nevada boxing commission makes exception, allows eight-ounce mitts
LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor got their wish to fight in smaller gloves, but not before being chastised by a Nevada boxing official for using the issue to hype their fight later this month.
Nevada boxing regulators on Wednesday gave the two fighters an exemption to a rule requiring 10-ounce gloves for fights at 154 pounds, approving eight-ounce gloves for the Aug. 26 bout. Representatives of both fighters appeared before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to request the waiver.
Commissioners also approved veteran referee Robert Byrd as the third man in the ring for the fight.
Commission Chairman Anthony Marnell said he was comfortable with the fighters using smaller gloves, but unhappy that they used the issue to sell the fight on social media.
“I do not like the Nevada State Athletic Commission being used as a pawn in a social media battle,” Marnell said.
Under Nevada regulations, 10-ounce gloves are required in fights above 147 pounds and the bout is set for 154 pounds. But Mayweather has worn eight-ounce gloves most of his career, and McGregor has worn four-ounce gloves in his UFC fights.
Mayweather’s promoter, Leonard Ellerbe, said his fighter is more comfortable in smaller gloves and would use them to stop McGregor.
“The fight is going to end in a knockout, I’m very confident,” Ellerbe said. “And it will probably be early.”
McGregor will be in a boxing ring for the first time as a pro when he takes on Mayweather, who is coming out of retirement for a fight that will make him tens of millions. They will fight under boxing rules, which will be enforced by Byrd, a veteran of many championship fights.
“The referee makes a big difference in this fight, which is the specific reason I chose Robert Byrd,” said Bob Bennett, the commission’s executive director.
Commissioners also approved Burt Clements and Dave Moretti of the United States and Italy’s Guido Cavalleri as judges for the bout. McGregor’s camp had asked for an international judge among the three.
Byrd will be paid $25,000 for the bout, while the judges will make $20,000.
The glove issue took up much of the commission meeting, though all voted in favour of the smaller gloves. There was also discussion about the padding in the gloves, with both sides agreeing to be bound by Nevada boxing inspectors approving the foam padding.
Mayweather has fought 46 of his 49 fights with eight-ounce gloves, including his last six. McGregor has never boxed before, but quickly agreed to Mayweather’s challenge to fight in smaller gloves.
Commissioners said they struggled with making an exception to regulations in place since 2006, but decided to approve the waiver because of the unusual nature of the event.
“The fight is not normal,” Commissioner Sandra Morgan said.
John Hornewer, a lawyer for Mayweather, said the unbeaten boxer would likely not be at the 154-pound limit at the fight weigh-in anyway.
“He’ll be 150 pounds. That’s his best weight and there’s no reason to put on extra weight,” Hornewer said.
A McGregor representative said his fighter has been about 160 pounds in training camp and would likely enter the ring somewhere around that weight after making the 154-pound limit the day before.