A second showdown between the boxing and MMA icons will supposedly occur subsequent 12 months
Retired boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has claimed that he’ll meet ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor in a rematch subsequent 12 months.
Asked by the Daily Mail about his plans for the remainder of 2022, Mayweather dropped the McGregor bombshell after additionally stating he’ll battle in two exhibitions beforehand.
“I want to go out there this weekend and have fun,” Mayweather stated of his upcoming assembly with Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura on the Saitama Super Arena.
“Then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
“We do not know if it may be an exhibition or an actual battle. But there’s been talks of each. I would like an exhibition,” Mayweather added.
Probed on why he would prefer an exhibition rather than the type of licensed boxing bout that the two put on in 2017, Mayweather clarified: “I’m not into fights the place I’m going to take any actual punishment.”
“So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that do not actually hit exhausting resembling YouTubers or UFC guys, I do not actually thoughts colliding with these varieties of people however nothing the place I’m going to place myself able the place I’m going to hurt myself or harm myself,” Mayweather, 45, added in a dig at the Irishman.
Mayweather’s 2017 showdown against McGregor was his last professional outing and helped him finish his career with an unblemished 50-0 record after landing a TKO win in the 10th round.
It also proved an enormous payday for both men, with Mayweather said to have taken home $280 million from the Las Vegas spectacle while McGregor dwarfed his UFC paydays by reportedly becoming $130 million richer.
Currently on the comeback trail after a horrific leg break suffered in his defeat against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July of 2021, McGregor has also been vocal on his desire to return to the sweet science.
“Boxing is my past love in fight sports activities. I had such a good time the final time I used to be on the market,” he confessed to Sky Sports in May.
“Obviously, my return will probably be within the octagon for UFC – that story is much from over, in actual fact it is simply being written, it’s only the start. But, boxing, for certain I’ll grace the squared circle once more sooner or later,” added ‘The Notorious’.
Should he win back the UFC lightweight belt against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22, Charles Oliveira wants to battle McGregor for the 155lbs crown as early as January, preferably in his homeland Brazil.
McGregor, 35, would then perhaps be free for a blockbuster summer clash against Mayweather, who deems himself “The Best Ever” in his chosen self-discipline.
(RT.com)