Mayweather unfazed by critics ahead of exhibition bout

MIAMI -- Floyd Mayweather has invited ridicule ahead of his latest return to the boxing ring but the unbeaten American couldn't care less.

The dubious prospect of Mayweather, the 44-year-old former welterweight world champion who retired with an unblemished record of 50-0, taking on a 26-year-old internet star with just two bouts to his name, has been greeted with disdain in much of the sporting world.

Sunday's bizarre exhibition bout against Logan Paul, with no judges ringside, is scheduled for eight rounds at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Promoters are hoping the event will generate pay-per-view sales in the two million range, delivering a lucrative payday for its protagonists.

Jake Paul, Logan's younger brother, reportedly brought in 1.3 million views and earned around $75 million for his fight in April against mixed martial artist Ben Askren, so it's plausible to imagine those numbers could be trumped given Mayweather's appeal and the social media popularity of his opponent.

Mayweather, meanwhile, is aware his first foray into the ring since another exhibition fight in Japan on New Year's Eve in 2018, which ended in the opening round, has left the boxing purists cold.

Yet the American brushes off the criticism of those who believe he is tarnishing his legacy and the sport.

'Just here to entertain'

"I don't really worry about the (pay-per-view) numbers," Mayweather told AFP on Thursday. "I am just here to have fun and entertain.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I live for Floyd Mayweather and I choose what I want to do. If I want to go out, have some fun and make $50, $60, $70, $100 million, let me do it. I am not bothering anyone. I am not out robbing or killing. I am doing what I want to do.

"I retired but I didn't retire from entertaining and making money."

Mayweather broke the mold in 2017 when he came out of retirement to beat UFC star Conor McGregor in a money-spinning crossover event in Las Vegas which triggered the recent trend of boxers searching for opponents outside of the sport.

With the Paul brothers both garnering huge attention for their respective bouts over the last few years -- Jake is 3-0 while Logan's record is 0-1-1 -- promoters and fighters keen to make extra money have become creative.

"We have always thought outside of the box," Leonard Ellerbe, chief executive of Mayweather Promotions told AFP.

"Floyd has beaten more world champions than anyone but the die-hard fans will never give him the credit he deserves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that's fine. Floyd will live his life how he wants to."

'No-win situation'

A chaotic pre-fight media availability on Thursday at the former Miami mansion of murdered fashion icon Gianni Versace suggested interest in the event is high, despite the premise proving unpalatable for many.

Logan Paul, whose first fight against fellow YouTube star KSI in August 2018 generated 1.3 million buys worldwide and made the event in Manchester, England the largest non-professional boxing match of all time, said: "This whole thing is just so crazy, we have already defied the odds. When my manager asked if I wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather I just laughed.

"I am here to achieve the impossible."

For Mayweather, however, it's just another payday and a return to the limelight.

"You know what's crazy? I am in a no-win situation," he said.

"If I knock him out in the first round they will say it wasn't worth it. And then if it carries on for a few rounds, they will say it's not worth it.

"But it's always worth it for me. I want to give the people what they want to see and have some fun.

"We chose Sunday because we wanted to do something different -- events like the Super Bowl and the Grammys are always on a Sunday. I always like to take chances.

"I am fighting a YouTuber and getting paid crazy money for it. That's not bad for someone who has retired."

Agence France-Presse

Ex-girlfriend of Floyd Mayweather found dead

LOS ANGELES -- Josie Harris, an ex-girlfriend of Floyd Mayweather who had three children with the former champion boxer, has been found dead at her suburban Los Angeles home, authorities said Wednesday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told KABC-TV that 40-year-old Josie Lynn Harris was the mother of three of Mayweather's children.

She was found dead in a vehicle in the driveway of her apparent home in Valencia north of Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.

Sheriff's deputies were investigating the death, which was first reported by TMZ, with the celebrity news website reporting foul play was not suspected.

In 2010, Mayweather was accused of assaulting Harris and threatening two of their children during an argument.

He admitted hitting Harris and twisting her arm, eventually pleading guilty to a reduced domestic violence charge and serving two months in jail.

After Mayweather told an interviewer that he was simply trying to restrain Harris, who was on drugs during the incident, Harris sued him for defamation in 2015.

Agence France-Presse

Messi unseats Mayweather as highest-paid athlete: Forbes

Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi dethroned five-division boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather as the highest paid athlete over the past year, according to the annual list published by business magazine Forbes on Tuesday.

Messi, who scored 36 goals while leading Barcelona to the La Liga title this year, earned $127 million between his salary and endorsements to move up one spot on the list of the world's 100 highest-paid athletes.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo ($109 million), Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar ($105 million), Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($94 million) and Swiss tennis great Roger Federer ($93.4 million) rounded out the top five.

Mayweather, who topped the list in 2018 and four times in seven years, only had an exhibition match last December in Japan and did not crack the top 100, which is comprised of athletes from 10 different sports.

Players from the National Basketball Association led all sports with 35 players among the top 100, none higher than Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James who was ranked eighth with total earnings of $89 million.

American football was the next most-represented sport with 19 players, followed by baseball with 15, and soccer with 12.

According to Forbes, the highest-paid athletes of its list collectively earned $4 billion over the last 12 months, up 5% from last year's earnings of $3.8 billion.

Forbes also said Americans dominate the list with 62 athletes, which it credits to sky-high salaries in the major sports leagues. The United Kingdom has five athletes, France and Spain have three, while Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Serbia and Venezuela all have two.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Nurmagomedov challenges Mayweather to clash

LOS ANGELES -- Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken a page out of Conor McGregor's playbook and issued a challenge to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Nurmagomedov's challenge came in a video posted on Instagram by Mayweather's promoter Leonard Ellerbe who indicated he ran into the UFC fighter at a fight card in Russia.

"Let’s go Floyd. We have to fight now: 50-0 versus 27-0," Nurmagomedov said with Ellerbe standing next to him smiling. "We are two guys who never lose. In the jungle there is only one king. Of course, I am the king because he cannot drop McGregor but I drop him easily. Let’s go."

Nurmagomedov did not say whether he wished to fight Mayweather in a boxing or UFC match. Like McGregor, the Russian has no previous experience as a professional boxer.

McGregor made millions last year by taking on Mayweather in lopsided boxing match. Mayweather appeared to toy with McGregor in the early rounds before stopping the Irishman in the 10th to improve to 50-0.

Last weekend, Nurmagomedov retained his UFC lightweight crown, beating McGregor by fourth-round submission.

He then climbed out of the Octagon to fight with a member of McGregor's entourage who had been taunting him. McGregor also took some punches from members of Nurmagomedov's team.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WATCH: Mayweather talks about bank account, girls

Although widely regarded by most as a "villain," retired former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. showed he can be funny a times.

In an interview with Diego in "Awkward Puppets," Mayweather talked about his bank accounts, luxury cars and girls. He even dispensed a marital advice.

Mayweather also asserted that after his "money fight" with Conor McGregor, he is staying retired for good.

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McGregor eyes more money fights as Mayweather retires

LAS VEGAS -- Described as the fight the fans asked for by the executives who made it happen, Saturday's clash between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor was only ever about one thing -- money.

Having beaten the Irish pretender with a 10th-round technical knockout, Mayweather can retire with a perfect 50-0 record and a payday said to be worth up to $300 million, and the American has promised never to return to the ring.

McGregor, however, is a different story.

His $30-million purse for the fight is 10 times his previous best disclosed purse from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where, as he says, he endures "shinbones to the head" as he makes his living.

In the altogether more genteel surroundings of the boxing ring, he made a lot more money with a lot less damage, and his appetite has surely been whetted by the enormous riches on offer.

McGregor has made no secret of his desire for more.

Asked what he liked most about his boxing experience, "Money" Mayweather prompted UFC lightweight champion McGregor to say the cash.

"The check is alright. The check is not bad," the Irishman laughed as he sipped his own "Notorius"-brand whiskey on the podium of the post-fight media conference.

"I've already been raising the MMA (mixed martial arts) checks. I'm still going to be raising the MMA checks when I go back there," he added.

The 29-year-old has started his own website, a clothing line and a number of other businesses, and he was clearly delighted to see the logo of his latest venture, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, in the ring at Saturday's fight.

The value of his brand, however, stems from what he does in the ring or the octagon and the brash personality he displays as he goes about his sporting business.

UFC president Dana White is keen for McGregor's boxing experiment to end sooner rather than later, and said that he was in a position to offer McGregor similar riches for mixed martial arts bouts.

"If our fights do what the (pay-per-view) buys did here tonight, and the gate, we'll all be good, trust me. Nobody will be bitching about anything," White told reporters.

"It takes two very special people in the right place at the right time to do the freakish kind of numbers and the watercooler talk that these guys had. You've got to have the right people in the right place at the right time."

With Mayweather, holder of a handful of the biggest pay-per-view sales of all time, vacating the stage at the age of 40, there is an opening for McGregor to move in and take over as the biggest draw in combat sports.

The problem is that there are few prospective opponents for him in either boxing or MMA who can generate that kind of interest.

A bitter training-camp row between McGregor and boxer Paulie Malignaggi might provide the kind of intrigue that would get fans to part with their money to see them face each other in the ring, but McGregor is most likely to return to the octagon to fight Nate Diaz.

Diaz gave McGregor his first UFC defeat in a 170-pound match-up in 2016, which McGregor avenged months later with an epic five-round decision victory at the T-Mobile Arena, before going on to win the organisation's lightweight title.

With the teak-tough Californian more than a match for McGregor in terms of trash talk, a trilogy fight to bring that rivalry to a close is about the only thing that would make sense -- and the required amount of dollars -- for McGregor at this point.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Mayweather schools McGregor in 10th-round TKO victory

LAS VEGAS — A ruthless Floyd Mayweather scored a 10th-round technical knockout over mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor on Saturday, cementing his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats.

McGregor, making his professional boxing debut, had boasted he would knock out the 40-year-old American early but his lack of ring savvy betrayed him as Mayweather improved to 50-0 to surpass heavyweight great Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record for most wins without a loss or draw.

Whether the megafight will be the richest of all-time, as promoters predicted, is still to be determined but Mayweather left no doubt of his place in the pantheon of boxing greats in what he said was his last fight.

As promised, McGregor came out full of fury and menace but Mayweather, long regarded as the finest defensive fighter to step into the ring, left few openings and used the first three rounds to feel out his opponent.

By the fourth round Mayweather went on the attack and started landing blow after blow against a suddenly desperate McGregor who was bravely hanging on while clutching and grabbing the American.

In the 10th, Mayweather moved in for kill pinning a visibly fatigued McGregor against the ropes and landing a flurry of punches when the referee stepped in to stop the fight. (Reporting by Steve Keating in Las Vegas; Editing by Frank Pingue)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lack of pro boxing experience not a drawback for McGregor

LAS VEGAS — As he gets set to face undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather in their multi-million dollar bout on Saturday in Las Vegas, much is being made of Conor McGregor's lack of pro boxing experience, but it may turn out to be his greatest strength.

Mayweather has faced 49 boxers and beaten them all - 49 men who have studied the craft for years and years, and yet none of them could find a way through his submarine-tight defence and stinging attack.

But even though he has little by way of experience, McGregor — and in particular his left hand — still poses a huge danger to Mayweather's proud unbeaten record.

Despite the fact that he is about to become the best-paid boxing debutant in history, McGregor, who started boxing as a boy before making the switch to mixed martial arts, has never had a top-level encounter as a boxer.

That is not to say that he is a complete novice when it comes to the "sweet science," as boxing aficionados love to call their sport.

Mixed martial arts is exactly that — a cocktail of combat disciplines with whoever manages to mix up the most potent brew from their striking and grappling skills coming out on top in what can be brutal, grueling encounters.

McGregor's striking is second to none, and his devastating left hand has powered his ascent to the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously.

He showed his knockout power when decking Jose Aldo after 13 seconds to win the featherweight belt, and it was his laser precision in a flurry of four punches that sent Eddie Alvarez crashing down as he won the lightweight crown last year.

His movement is also mesmerizing — quick on his feet, his head bobbing slightly but constantly as he seeks new angles of attack.

Always meticulous in his preparations, it is unlikely that Mayweather has ever faced a southpaw with McGregor's power and style of movement before, and unlike his previous 49 opponents, there is little or no footage of McGregor sparring for him to study.

There are question marks over McGregor's endurance following his submission loss to Nate Diaz in 2016, where he emptied the gas tank looking for a big knockout and ended up putty in the hands of the rangy Californian.

Together with his head coach John Kavanagh and his vastly knowledgeable striking coach Owen Roddy, McGregor has been working to ensure that he can last the distance over 12 rounds of boxing.

McGregor can fight going forward or choose to sit back and counter-punch, but it is highly unlikely that Mayweather will seek to take the fight to his taller opponent, meaning the Irishman will have to take the initiative.

That means cutting off the ring and chasing down the elusive 40-year-old American if he is to have any chance of delivering on his promise of a knockout blow from his eight-ounce gloves within two rounds. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor adds new chapter in rags-to-riches story

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor, who stands to make up to $100 million from Saturday's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, is not known for his humility, but the Irishman certainly hasn't forgotten where he came from.

When the 29-year-old mixed martial arts champion recently bought a yacht he named it "188," after the number of euros he used to receive as a social welfare payment from the Irish government as recently as four years ago.

Back then, few could have dreamed of the fame and untold riches that combat sports would bring him, but McGregor — who calls himself "Mystic Mac" due to his ability to predict the outcome of his fights — never doubted himself.


Born in a working-class suburb of Dublin, McGregor began boxing at an early age before moving towards the burgeoning new sport of mixed martial arts as a teenager.

His rise as a fighter under the banner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship may seem meteoric, but an early loss as a young pro almost caused him to walk away from the sport.

His mother intervened and asked his coach, John Kavanagh, to encourage him not to give up. Kavanagh, who made a point of never chasing athletes to beg them to come back, made an exception for the brash McGregor.

Luckily for all concerned, it worked out.

McGregor suffered another loss against compatriot Joe Duffy, but then embarked on a winning streak in the Cage Warriors promotion that saw him win the featherweight and lightweight belts there.

Irish fight fans took to Twitter to campaign for a UFC contract for their rising star, and when promotion kingpin Dana White relented in 2013, McGregor was finally in the stable of the biggest show in the game.

He tore through the UFC featherweight division, winning his first seven fights and culminating in a stunning 13-second knockout of Brazilian Jose Aldo, a victory which saw him crowned the organization's featherweight champion.

In a sport struggling to find new heroes, he quickly became the UFC's biggest draw, and they were more than happy to accommodate his seemingly boundless ambition.

He set his sights on the lightweight belt, but when then-champion Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of their title fight due to injury, McGregor's career hit its first major obstacle.

Californian Nate Diaz was drafted to replace dos Anjos, and he promptly submitted the Irishman in the second round of a welterweight bout after McGregor tired himself out throwing huge left hands looking for another spectacular knockout.

McGregor put all thoughts of the lightweight title aside, demanding and getting a rematch against Diaz that turned into an epic five-round war of attrition that the Irishman edged on the scorecards of the judges.

Having had his revenge on Diaz, McGregor turned his attention to Eddie Alvarez, who had taken over the lightweight title, and was booked to meet him in the main event at the UFC's first event in New York in over 20 years.

McGregor did not disappoint, rocking Alvarez early and going on to win the fight via second round TKO to become the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously.

With his bank balance growing but nothing that appealed to him in mixed martial arts, McGregor then took aim at Mayweather, one of the greatest names in combat sports history.

A deal was done and he can now look forward to a payday that should give him financial security for the rest of his life.

Brash and profane, yet often thoughtful and intensely loyal, McGregor has a small, tight team around him that prepares him for his fights.

Regardless of what happens against Mayweather he will head to Spain with his family to celebrate the wedding of a friend and to spend some time on his yacht.

But neither he nor his team are in Las Vegas to provide Mayweather with another big purse — throughout his career McGregor has aimed to make combat sports history, and the next stop on that journey is the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Frank Pingue)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor vows Mayweather knockout as moment of truth nears

LAS VEGAS - Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor vowed to knock out boxer Floyd Mayweather on Friday as a horde of Irish fans descended on Las Vegas for the trash-talking rivals' cross-combat super-fight.

McGregor, 29, will carry a substantial weight advantage into Saturday's 12-round boxing contest at the T-Mobile Arena after a raucous weigh-in that saw him face-off with Mayweather for the final time before fight-night.

With waves of green-shirted fans in a crowd of around 6,000 roaring their support for the Irish superstar, McGregor tipped the scales at 153 pounds, well inside the 154-pound limit.

Former welterweight champion Mayweather, 40, who has emerged from a two-year retirement to take on MMA star McGregor, weighed in at 149.5 pounds.

The naturally bigger McGregor -- who screamed into Mayweather's face as the two men went nose-to-nose -- said he expects to enter the ring at closer to 170 pounds.

Saturday's one-off bout is projected to be the richest fight in history, with Mayweather poised to earn as much as $200 million and McGregor potentially pocketing around $100 million.

McGregor, who has never fought in a professional boxing contest, is a massive underdog for a fight, which is expected to beamed live to around 200 countries and territories across the globe.

But the former apprentice plumber from Dublin, who was unemployed four years ago, defiantly predicted he was ready to spring a monumental upset on the skilful Mayweather, one of the finest boxers in history who boasts a perfect 49-0 record.

"That's the worst shape I've ever seen him," McGregor said of Mayweather. "I'm going to breeze through him, trust me on that."

'FIGHTING WINS FIGHTS'

A nonplussed Mayweather shrugged off his weight disadvantage and once again vowed to stop McGregor inside the distance.

"Weight doesn't win fights, fighting wins fights," Mayweather said. "It won't go the distance. Mark my words -- I'm not worried about the scales."

McGregor meanwhile basked in the adulation of his Irish fans who have poured into the Nevada desert gambling capital this week.

"You can't beat us -- we've already taken over," McGregor bellowed. "Las Vegas is Ireland now."

An army of Irish fans poured out onto the Las Vegas strip following the weigh-in, dancing and singing in blazing hot sunshine.

Saturday's bout has appalled boxing traditionalists, who have rubbished the event as a meaningless, money-grabbing, mismatch which owes more to the pantomime traditions of WWE wrestling than the noble art.

Boxing pundits, coaches and fighters have lined up to dismiss McGregor's hopes of succeeding where 49 others in Mayweather's 21-year career have failed.

"Would a ping-pong player have a chance of scoring a point against Roger Federer?" was the withering verdict of veteran trainer Teddy Atlas. "It's going to be like walking through a really bad neighbourhood late at night. McGregor's going to get mugged."

SAFETY FEARS

The hard-nosed heavy-hitters of the gambling world agree.

Saturday's fight is set to smash records as the most bet-upon bout in Las Vegas history.

But while McGregor, a long-odds underdog, has attracted most wagers, the majority of the money is on Mayweather.

William Hill US reported that several large bets had been placed on Mayweather for what is expected to be a straightforward assignment.

One punter placed a $1.2 million cash bet on Mayweather, which will earn around $240,000.

Yet the mere fact that McGregor will carry at least a puncher's chance into the contest has been enough to sustain the excitement.

Stephen Espinoza, the head of cable network Showtime Sports which is selling the fight on pay-per-view in the US, said surveys had shown that fans were not deterred by predictions of a mismatch.

"The casual fans were absolutely adamant," Espinoza said.

"Their response almost universally was 'We don't care if it's a mismatch ... if there's a .01 chance that something incredible could happen, we need to watch it.'

"And that's why they're going to watch it."

Others however have sounded a note of caution, citing potential safety risks to McGregor given the chasm of experience between the Irishman and Mayweather.

British former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan expressed fears Friday McGregor could be seriously injured.

"It's like a tennis player trying to play badminton," Khan said.

"(McGregor) needs to think about himself in this fight, because if he gets seriously injured, he might not ever be the same fighter or he might not even fight again."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Sky Sports Pay-Per-View to air Mayweather vs. McGregor

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most anticipated fights of 2017 is coming to SKY Sports Pay-Per-View on Sunday, August 27, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. will come out of retirement to face off against mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Mayweather is a highly decorated boxer who will stake his immaculate professional record of 49 wins with no loss.

McGregor, meanwhile, will challenge the boxing legend that has been labeled as the top pound-for-pound fighter of the last 25 years. The Irishman has an MMA record of 21 wins and three losses, 18 victories of which came by knockout.

The reigning UFC lightweight and former UFC featherweight champion has competed as a feather, lightweight, and welterweight through the duration of his fight career.

The fight will be aired at approximately 9 a.m., but fans can also catch the replay at 7 p.m., also on August 27.

The special is available to subscribers of ONE SKY, SKYcable, Destiny Cable, SKYdirect, and SKYBroadband via SKY On Demand for P950.

Existing subscribers can catch the fight by calling 4180000 or their local SKY office, texting BOXINGPPV to 23662 or by visiting www.mysky.com.ph/boxingppv.

SKYdirect postpaid subscribers can text SKY to 23668; SKYdirect prepaid users can also subscribe through mysky.com.ph/boxingppv.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Mayweather braces for 'toe-to-toe' battle against McGregor

Floyd Mayweather Jr. put up a typically brash front during his four-city tour with Conor McGregor to promote their upcoming boxing match on August 26 in Las Vegas.

The unbeaten American talked trash and exchanged potshots with McGregor, the brash Irishman who made a name for himself as a mixed martial artist before seeking a big money fight against Mayweather.

Mayweather is the odds-on favorite in the bout against McGregor, who is fighting in a boxing match for the very first time in his professional career. In contrast, Mayweather is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in his era, and has put together an immaculate 49-0 win-loss record.

Despite all this, however, Mayweather believes that he is in for a battle against the younger McGregor for several reasons.

"He wants to win bad. He really wants to win bad, extremely bad," Mayweather said, as quoted by Boxing Scene.  

Mayweather noted that his opponents usually take one of two approaches: they either "play it safe," or "go straight for the kill," like Marcos Maidana did in May 2014. Much to the shock of pundits, the Argentine had considerable success against Mayweather and the American won a majority decision.

McGregor will most likely approach their fight the way Maidana did, according to Mayweather.

"He's going to come out and go for the kill," he predicted. "He's a heavy hitter, so I've got to be cautious."

"Remember, I'm older, so I can't move like I used to move," Mayweather added. "So it's basically going to be a toe-to-toe battle."

The 40-year-old Mayweather has not fought since September 2015, when he easily outpointed Andre Berto en route to retirement, before McGregor enticed him to fight again.

McGregor's gung-ho approach, combined with Mayweather's age, will make for an exciting fight – at least, said the American.

"I've seen it before," Mayweather said. "When these fighters get upset with me, they come out like they're going to try and kill me."

"My job is to do what I do – just keep my composure," he added.

Despite Mayweather's efforts to hype up McGregor, the Irishman remains a huge underdog in their bout. Nevertheless, the American continues to warn analysts and fans alike that McGregor "does have a chance."

To underscore his point, he cited a bout that took place earlier in June, where the underdog who was given very little chance of winning pulled off a truly shocking upset.

"We just saw, a week ago, two weeks ago, a guy who started boxing at 18, a teacher, beat one of the best fighters of all time, which was Manny Pacquiao," said Mayweather, referring to Jeff Horn's controversial victory over the "Pacman."

"So anything can happen in a combat sport."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Expletives, excitement as Mayweather, McGregor face-off

LOS ANGELES -- Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor lit the touchpaper for their cross-combat superfight here Tuesday, turning the air blue in an expletive-laden face-to-face meeting to launch their global promotional tour for the bout.

More than 11,000 fans crowded into Los Angeles's Staples Center for a raucous first live showdown between former boxing world champion Mayweather and Irishman McGregor, one of the biggest stars of mixed martial arts.

The two men are set to face each other in Las Vegas on August 26 in what could be the richest fight in history after finally agreeing to climb into a boxing ring following a year-long guessing game over whether they would ever do battle.

Tuesday's fiery face-off saw the swaggering, cocksure McGregor strut onto stage confidently in a three-piece suit featuring pinstripes made up of an offensive two-word insult.

The immaculately tailored profanity set the tone for a spectacle shot through with an endless torrent of abuse from both fighters, no doubt delighting promoters as they attempt to sell a fight for which ringside tickets will go on sale at around $10,000.

The suited McGregor was the first to take the microphone, mocking Mayweather's decision to show up wearing a tracksuit, suggesting it was linked to the American's reported tax difficulties.



"He's in a tracksuit, he can't even afford a suit anymore!" McGregor declared to roars of laughter from the massed ranks of his green-shirted fans crammed into the lower tiers of the famous basketball arena.

McGregor, who will start as an overwhelming underdog against one of the most accomplished defensive fighters in history, was bullish about his prospects of victory. "The 0 has got to go," McGregor declared, referring to Mayweather's perfect 49-0 record.

"I'm going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words," McGregor said, to more roars.

A stony-faced Mayweather meanwhile bided his time before taking the microphone and unfurling his own cascade of expletives.

"I'm going to knock this bitch out," Mayweather said, to boos from the crowd. McGregor shot back: "You haven't knocked anyone out for 20 years!"

Mayweather meanwhile responded to the jibes about his finances -- he recently filed for an extension to pay his 2015 tax bill -- by producing an uncashed check for $100 million from an assistant's rucksack.

McGregor was again ready with a riposte: "Give it to the taxman!"

Mayweather was unruffled however, vowing to administer a comprehensive victory over the 28-year-old Irishman despite being 40.

"I'm not the same fighter I was 10 years ago. Or 5 years ago. Or 2 years ago," Mayweather said.

"But I've got enough to beat you. He can choose which way he wants to go. Either on his back or on his face."


- Snarling braggadocio -

Mayweather later appeared relaxed during a briefing with print reporters, suggesting his snarling braggadocio on stage had been solely for the benefit of the sold-out arena.

"We have to give people what they want to see," the former welterweight king said.

"That's what the people wanted to see. To have a sold-out arena like today and give these fans something real smooth and calm? They don't want that. That's not what they wanted. These fans want entertainment. They got entertained today by both competitors."

Unsurprisingly Mayweather declared himself the victor in the verbal sparring, saying McGregor's incessant trash-talking during their face-to-face photo opportunity indicated he had rattled the Irish fighter.

"He's got to realise, I've been here before," Mayweather said. "He just started this. I've been doing this for years. Years after years. He's upset. He's ready to kill me now. He's mad. I was calm, cool.

"I gave him a little bit of his own medicine and he didn't like it."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor now a licensed California boxer

The first fighter to simultaneously hold two championships in the UFC, Irishman Conor McGregor, is now a licensed boxer in the state of California as well.

McGregor, who made history by winning the UFC lightweight belt to add to his featherweight title, has been given a license by the California State Athletic Commission, according to MMA Fighting.

This comes after the UFC stripped McGregor of his featherweight belt and named his Brazilian rival, Jose Aldo, the new champion.

"He's qualified," CSAC executive officer Andy Foster said in the MMA Fighting report. "I'd love to see him fight in California."

"It just needs to be the right opponent," Foster added. "Certainly a high-level opponent. We're happy to license him. We're happy he's a California fighter."

McGregor has been repeatedly linked to a "mega-fight" against unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., but "Money" recently stressed that he is happily retired.

"If you don't hear it from my mouth, it's not true," Mayweather told Boxing Scene of rumors linking him to a McGregor bout.

The American further said that other fighters are simply using his name to drum up interest in their own career.

"I think that fighters and people that compete in physical combat need to go out there and lay the groundwork, and make their own name," said Mayweather.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Floyd shows off piles of cash, sports cars

American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. appears to be happy in his retirement, showing off piles of cash and his sports cars in a display of his "lavish lifestyle."



Mayweather retired in September 2015 after beating Andre Berto. He retired with 49 wins and no losses and was the highest-paid athlete in sports in the year he stepped away from boxing.

In an Instagram post, Mayweather showed off a table filled with stacks of cash, wearing a cap bearing a "$1M" insignia.

"They say 'life is what you make it,' and to that, I'll agree wholeheartedly," Mayweather said in his caption. "As I sit here, acknowledging how blessed I am to be retired a year shy of my 40th birthday, it's nearly impossible to say that I am not living the 'American Dream.'"

Mayweather said that he may not have his "usual six-pack or muscle tone in sight," but he still gets the last laugh after retiring with a spotless record.

"I'm blessed to wake up every morning, certain that my bank accounts are growing," he said. "Making seven figures monthly without moving a finger just further proves that I've made brilliant investments and decisions that allow me to walk away from the ring comfortably."

"I'm proud to be a King," he declared.    

Two days ago, Mayweather also showed a picture of himself swimming, with the caption: "The retired life. Seven figures monthly. Retired before 40 years old. Made smart investments."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao-Floyd ticket costs up to $87K: report

LOS ANGELES -- Tickets for the hotly anticipated Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather showdown are not yet out, but market prices are already generating buzz.

TMZ has reported that an upscale leisure and travel company is selling a few dozen tickets that range from $7,800 for the upper deck to $87,5000 for sixth row ringside.



After a day on the track and 12 rounds of the mitts in the gym, the hefty price tag was enough to give even Pacquiao sticker shock.

"Nahulog ako. Wala pa ako tickets sa family ko," said Pacquiao.

Tickets are expected to be released this week, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $10,000.

One fan, Raul Limbaring, has been to seven Pacquiao fights and has only shelled out a few hundred dollars for them.

"We'll go to Vegas on May 1st, and we'll see. Maybe I'll get a big bargain," said Limbaring, who resides in Orange County. "But I saw seven fights. Those weren't expensive - like, $250, $300, and $600."

The ticket prices are a king's ransom compared to the $50 that Jerome Cortado is paying for tickets to the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. James Kirkland fight in Houston, Texas a week after the Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight.

"That's crazy. It's worth it though, but it depends how many average people are going to be there. There's going to be a lot of media and high priced people," said Cortado.

Pacquiao has yet to figure out his family's sitting arrangements for the fight, but his family is sure to watch the NBA game featuring the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Warriors star Stephen Curry sent Pacquiao an autographed jersey last week.

"Thank you, Stephen Curry," said Pacquiao. "I like the guy, I like the way he plays, my kids like him."

"God bless you and your game tomorrow. My kids, they're going to watch. I want to watch, but sorry because I'm training," he added.

When tickets to the Fight of the Century are released, only 1,000 will go on sale to the public.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cotto reveals Pacquiao's secret weapon

MANILA, Philippines -- After hiring Freddie Roach as his trainer, Puerto Rican bruiser Miguel Cotto realized why Manny Pacquiao has been successful in boxing.

Cotto said the 7-time Boxing Coach of the Year is Pacquiao's secret weapon as far as boxing science is concerned.

He said Roach will be a big factor in the fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., who doesn't enjoy the same thing under his coach Floyd Sr.

“After working with Freddie I think Freddie is going to be huge in the fight,” Cotto said in a New York Post report.

The Puerto Rican knows what he's talking about because he fought Pacquiao in 2009.

Cotto faced Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title, but got knocked down twice before being halted in the 12th round.

Years later, Cotto fought Mayweather and ended up losing via unanimous decision.

The Puerto Rican, however, thinks Pacquiao is a tougher match.

“I’m going for Manny,” he said.

Cotto hooked up with Roach after losing to Austin Trout in 2012.

The partnership worked wonders for Cotto's career. Since training with Roach, the Puerto Rican strung a pair of stoppage, including a dominant victory against Sergio Martinez.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather to clash with Pacquiao in mega fight

LOS ANGELES - The long awaited mega bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, which has been more than five years in the making, will take place in Las Vegas on May 2, Mayweather announced on Friday.

A duel between the defense-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has been savored by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American Mayweather, who has a perfect record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts, said on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal.

"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don't miss it! This is the signed contract from both fighters."

Mayweather made a late-night trip to Pacquiao's hotel in Miami last month to discuss the possibility of a fight, and the Filipino southpaw signed the contract for the bout on Thursday.

"I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done," Mayweather said in a statement. "Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus.

"This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. I am the best ever ... and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win".

"Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful. He will be number 48."

Pacquiao, who has a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts, said in a statement: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it.

"It is an honor to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world."

A 60-40 SPLIT

The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to have a 60-40 split advantage on revenues, earning a minimum of $120 million and Pacquiao at least $80 million.

"Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen," Stephen Espinoza, general manager for Showtime Sports, said in a statement.

"All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world."

Pacquiao, 36, lost much of his appeal after successive defeats to American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since bounced back with three impressive wins.

Five-division world champion Mayweather, who is known for his shrewd business acumen, had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Mayweather has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

Mayweather announced last September, after he scored a dominant win over Argentine Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas in his most recent bout, that he would retire in late 2015 when his Showtime contract ends, after two more fights.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Report: Pacquiao-Mayweather close to a done deal

MANILA, Philippines – The highly anticipated boxing mega-fight between superstars Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. is reportedly being finalized.

Gareth A Davies of The Telegraph reported that Pacquiao has "completed his contractual agreements," and that Mayweather "is set to sign" as well.

The fight is expected to be announced in the coming days, Davies reported, and it is possible that Mayweather himself could make the announcement ahead of the tip-off of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Davies cited a source close to Pacquiao who said the "Pacman" has "100 percent signed his side of the deal."

"It is now over to Mayweather to close the deal and announce the fight," the source added.

If the fight pushes through, it will likely be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2 and be worth some $250-million.

ESPN.com's boxing writer Dan Rafael, however, said fight fans could not yet celebrate despite the report. "Everyone remain calm," he tweeted.

"Mayweather-Pacquiao is nearing (the) finish line one way or other, but two sources involved said it is not done at this point," Rafael said.

Rafael was also informed by a source directly involved in the negotiations that Mayweather is "the one we need to worry about, not Manny."

Pacquiao last week began light training in his hometown of General Santos City in anticipation of his ring return.

The "Pacman" had triggered discussions when he called out Mayweather following his November 2014 demolition of Chris Algieri in Macau, and Mayweather responded by declaring he wants to fight the Filipino star on May 2.

Negotiations occurred in stops-and-starts, with Pacquiao at one point saying he had agreed to all terms and conditions, while Mayweather reiterated through social media that the fight has yet to be finalized.

The two superstar boxers also met by chance in a Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game in Miami in late January, and then talked for an hour in Pacquiao's hotel suite that same night.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao: Floyd fight to be announced soon

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao arrived back in Manila past 10 p.m. Saturday after a long vacation in the United States that saw him judge the Miss Universe pageant and come face-to-face with rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Asked about the progress of negotiations with the Mayweather camp, Pacquiao only said: "Malapit na i-announce 'yung fight, within this coming few days."

Pacquiao met Mayweather during an NBA game in Miami and the two fighters discussed a potential fight in an hour-long meeting at the Filipino boxer's hotel suite.

During his U.S. trip, Pacquiao also promoted his movie documentary, "Manny," and attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com