Floyd Mayweather Jr. Insists Fight With Conor McGregor Will Happen [Video]

Floyd Mayweather Jr. again graces the headlines after vowing a return from “retirement” is likely imminent. Mayweather last fought September 12, 2015, easily defeating Andre Berto to retire undefeated at 49-0. In his storied 19-year professional career, Mayweather won championships in five different weight classes.

Now, the boxing world’s most controversial figure is reportedly in talks to square off with brash UFC combatant Conor “Notorious” McGregor. When asked by Showtime Sports’ Steve Farhood about the possibility of a McGregor super-fight materializing, Mayweather Jr. responded, “It’s really not a rumor. The fight may happen. We really don’t know as of right now, but do I think the fight will happen? Absolutely.”

Floyd Mayweather Jr. then laid out the specifics of a matchup with McGregor, proclaiming, “We’re the A-side, of course. It has to be a boxing match, because most fights that Connor McGregor won inside the Octagon, he was a stand-up guy. So I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be a tough fight for me. We really don’t know as of right now, but there’s been a lot of talk, and hopefully we can make the fight happen.”

By “A-side” Mayweather’s implying his camp will have the final say regarding negotiations. As Mayweather stated, a bout with former 145-lb UFC Champion Conor McGregor would take place as a boxing match. However, the UFC veteran would be no pushover in that area. Of McGregor’s 19 mixed martial arts wins, 17 come via TKO. It is also worth noting that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is 39 years old while McGregor is a prime 27.

With Mayweather enthusiastically hyping the bout, “Money” would be remiss without touching upon his motivating factor. Regarding his expected compensation, Mayweather told Farhood, “We haven’t picked a venue, we haven’t talked about money yet. I am going to get $100m. Every time I go out that’s my number. Every time I go out and get inside that squared circle, it’s $100m or better.”

Indeed, Mayweather amassed a fortune during his ring appearances. Over his illustrious career, Mayweather Jr. earned a king’s ransom of $700 million. Such paydays included pay-per-view bonanzas opposite ring legends Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. In 2013, Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. inked the richest deal in sports history with premium cable giant Showtime. During a two-and-a-half-year stretch as a Showtime fighter, Mayweather garnered a whopping $440 million.

Even as Floyd Mayweather Jr. is king of the ring concerning paydays, what’s also certain is that his competitive spirit is unrivaled. When Conor McGregor proclaimed to Esquire Magazine“he’d literally kill Mayweather in under 30 seconds,” a fuse was lit within Mayweather’s ego.

With all the braggadocio and trash-talk aside, one imperative variable separating Mayweather and McGregor is Mayweather has never lost. Conversely, Conor McGregor was soundly defeated by fading fringe contender Nate Diaz in his last Octagon appearance.

While a meeting between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor is beginning to appear likely, the sporting world is already speculating on who would prevail should the two meet.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is already certain all betting money should be placed on him.

[AP Photo/John Locher]