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Floyd Mayweather Jr. VS Conor McGregor.
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Showing posts with label
Floyd Mayweather Jr. VS Conor McGregor.
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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
LAS VEGAS -- In the space of four short years, Conor McGregor has grown accustomed to the trappings of luxury that have accompanied his rise through the ranks of mixed martial arts.
But the 29-year-old multi-millionaire Irishman, who faces Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat superfight on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila), insists he has never forgotten his humble beginnings.
Until he was discovered and signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2013, McGregor was eking out a hand-to-mouth existence. The former apprentice plumber was on the dole as he attempted to make a name for himself on the Irish mixed martial arts circuit.
"It's mind-blowing. But I never forget the struggles. I never forget where I came from. I never ever forget the hard times," McGregor says. "When things were really bad I didn't have a pot to piss in. Really, nothing. I'm not a stupid guy and it was hard standing in a dole queue."
McGregor's life now, as he contemplates Saturday's bout with Mayweather, could not be more different.
Private jets, tailor-made suits and multi-million-dollar purses feature regularly in his life. He owns a luxury yacht which he christened "The 188" -- a reference to the amount of his 188-euro ($222) weekly benefits check before his career took off.
"I pinch myself because I am surrounded by luxury. But make no mistake – it's luxury built on sacrifice," McGregor explained.
Initially, McGregor's family had attempted to steer him away from fighting, encouraging him to work as a plumber's apprentice during his teens.
"I hated every minute of it," McGregor recalled. "You were talking 14 or 15-hour days. I was getting ordered around, getting people their lunch, all this crap. I just thought, 'This life isn't for me, I'm going to pack it in. I'm going to chase my dreams.'"
'Combat is my life'
A mixed early start to his career in Ireland was followed by an eight-fight winning streak between 2011 and 2012.
In 2013, UFC chief Dana White signed him to a mult-fight contract and the world's dominant mixed martial arts circuit had its next star.
McGregor's explosive punching and ability to market himself, backing up his brash, cocksure press conference persona inside the octagon quickly endeared him to the sport's fans.
A serene start to his UFC career culminated with McGregor winning back-to-back titles, defeating Chad Mendes by knockout in July 2015 before a 13-second demolition of Jose Aldo five months later.
An upset defeat to Nate Diaz in early 2016 was followed by a decision that stunned the MMA world soon afterwards -- McGregor declaring his apparent retirement from the sport.
The announcement, however, was widely seen as a negotiating gambit, with McGregor increasingly reluctant to fulfill his contractual obligations to promote each fight.
"I am paid to fight. I am not yet paid to promote. I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting," McGregor said. "There comes a time when you need to stop handing out flyers and get back to the damn shop."
He was back in the shop later in 2016, avenging his loss to Diaz with a win by decision in August before knocking out Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight title three months later.
While safely back in the UFC fold, though, McGregor remained determined to try and land his ultimate prize -- a showdown with Mayweather.
Ever since the fight was announced in June, few commentators have given McGregor a chance.
The Irishman has never fought a boxing contest before, and will be facing an opponent who will be aiming for a 50th straight career victory.
McGregor, who has vowed to knock out Mayweather inside two rounds, is unfazed by his underdog status.
"I'm borderline insane," McGregor said. "I don't know about anything else and don't care about anything else. Combat is my life."
source: news.abs-cbn.com
LOS ANGELES - Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor traded verbal jabs on Tuesday as the circus-like countdown to their money-spinning superfight cranked into overdrive on the Las Vegas Strip.
Thousands of fans including a sizeable contingent of Irish supporters thronged the heart of the Nevada boxing capital to greet Mayweather and McGregor at their separate formal grand arrival ceremonies.
Mayweather, the 40-year-old undefeated former welterweight boxing champion, has been lured out of retirement to face McGregor, a star of mixed martial arts' Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The two men meet in a 12-round contest under boxing rules on Saturday that is tipped to become the richest fight in history.
The cross-combat collision has appalled boxing purists, with many decrying the event as a farcical publicity stunt more in keeping with the choreographed traditions of WWE wrestling.
Mayweather and McGregor who clashed repeatedly during an expletive-laden world press tour to drum up interest for the fight last month, insist however that they are ready to deliver a battle for the ages.
McGregor, a massive underdog in what will be his first professional boxing fight, insisted Tuesday he was ready to stun the oddsmakers.
"This is not even close to my toughest challenge ever. I will crumble him," McGregor said.
"I have adapted perfectly to boxing, I am very pleased and ready. I'm a special man, I will prove that August 26, this will go one or two rounds, maybe I will bang him out and hurt him.
"If he survives, I will decide whether I embarrass or seriously hurt him.
"I'm calm and cool, same as I am in every fight. I'm fit, sharp and I'm gonna be ruthless in there. I believe he'll be unconscious inside one round."
McGregor and Mayweather passed each other after their separate introductions, with McGregor taunting the American with a shout of "Why didn't you want to face off?" -- triggering a melee between their two entourages.
'INTRIGUING FIGHT'
A relaxed-looking Mayweather meanwhile had earlier encouraged fans to bet on the fight finishing inside 12 rounds.
"I talked to you before and said that this fight wouldn't go the distance," Mayweather said.
"If you're going to bet, bet it won't go (the distance)."
Mayweather did his best to play down his status as a heavy favourite, insisting that his two-year layoff from the ring had blunted his prowess.
"That's what makes this fight so intriguing, I've been out a few years, feel like I've lost a few steps," Mayweather said.
"So we'll just have to wait and see."
Earlier Tuesday, Mayweather had taunted McGregor over his fitness, telling the US website FightHype that he believed his opponent would struggle to make the 154-pound limit for Saturday's bout.
"Conor McGregor is extremely heavy right now," Mayweather said. "I think he's 164 so he's still got 10 pounds to go."
McGregor could face a painful financial penalty if he is unable to tip the scales inside the limit. Boxers often have the option of cancelling a fight or collecting a larger share of the purse if an opponent fails to make weight.
Mayweather, who is expected to earn at least $100 million from Saturday's contest, indicated he would take the money.
"I get that extra money if you can't make the weight," Mayweather said. "Get those extra millions ready. UFC get those extra millions ready."
"If he don't make the weight, we still going to fight but there's going to be a heavy fine."
Mayweather has fought at 154 pounds before but is more used to fighting at welterweight (150 pounds). McGregor however has fought at 170 pounds in MMA.
McGregor, 29, last week insisted he was in peak condition following a gruelling training camp that had taken him to "hell and back" and left him primed to face either a long or short fight.
"There is no way in hell that I'm not ready to fight in the deepest of trenches in this contest," McGregor said.
"We are ready for both scenarios. I'm ready to go to war for 12 rounds and I'm ready to put him away early on."
rcw/mdo
source: news.abs-cbn.com
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
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
