Smaller gloves approved for Mayweather-McGregor fight
LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor got their wish to fight in smaller gloves.
Nevada boxing regulators on Wednesday gave the two fighters an exemption to a rule requiring 10ounce gloves for fights at 154 pounds, approving 8-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, as well as Burt Clements and Dave Moretti of the United States and Italy’s Guido Cavalleri as judges.
Under Nevada regulations, 10ounce gloves are required in fights above 147 pounds and the bout is set for 154 pounds. But Mayweather has worn 8-ounce gloves most of his career, and McGregor has worn 4-ounce gloves in his UFC fights.
McGregor said the gloves will only speed up the end of the fight, which he earlier predicted wouldn’t last four rounds.
“I believe now that gloves are eight ounces I don’t believe he makes it out of the second round,” McGregor said. “I do not see him absorbing the blows in the first two rounds.”
Mayweather’s promoter, Leonard Ellerbe, said his fighter is also 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.”