Right now it's not about the fight. It's about the hype. And Conor McGregor took round one from Floyd Mayweather with flying colours. Irascible humour was stamped all over the opening salvo here in southern California as boxing's biggest global freak show, worth an estimated $500 million plus, found its teeth.
Profile Conor McGregor
AP PHOTO/ERIC JAMISON
Age: 27
Born: Dublin, Ireland
Title: UFC featherweight champion
Nicknames: Notorious, Mystic Mac
Early years: Just four years ago McGregor was picking up a dole cheque and has worked as a trainee plumber
Famous fight: McGregor defeated José Aldo, one of the greatest pound for pound mixed martial artists, in December 2015 to win the UFC featherweight title. Aldo had not been beaten for 10 years and McGregor knocked the Brazilian out in 13 seconds.
Big bucks: McGregor is one of the highest earning MMA fighters, and earned an estimated $10m fighting American Nate Diaz, even though he lost
Weight: A featherweight champion, McGregor was stepping up two weight divisions - 25 lbs - to welterweight in order to face Nate Diaz. In retrospect, it was a step too far.
Method: McGregor trains under movement specialist Ido Portal and goes through almost yogic movements in his training.
Irish icon: McGregor has become a huge star in Ireland, capturing the zeitgeist for the younger generation, with sharp suits, a hipster beard and inspirational speeches. Yet he is a polarising figure amongst fans in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Suited in pink tie and rosette, a pin stripe suit that read in tiny white lettering 'f--- you', McGregor used every part of the repertoire that has potentially turned this working-class hero from Dublin into a nine-figure-earning fighter.
Indeed, all the verbal skills and humour which have made him a touchstone for a new generation of fight fans, that have turned the Irishman into such a global phenomenon, were on display here. During a lightning rise up the UFC ranks, winning the world title in two divisions, McGregor has talked himself up, and then lived up to his promises. As UFC president Dana White pointed out to The Telegraph: "Not since Muhammad Ali have we seen a fighter with such self-belief."
And that is why Mayweather came hunting. This promotion had the greatest number of dollar signs possible embossed all over it. For those uneasy that this will be a flat mismatch when the first bell tolls, McGregor pledged he will give everything he has in the pursuit of the unthinkable which 49 men have failed to do in 21 years: knock Mayweather out.
McGregor even named his round, and picked the great Mayweather apart. All done with a twinkle in his eye, and with intent in his frame.
He's known for outlandish confidence and running his mouth, but Conor McGregor's biggest insult to upcoming opponent Floyd Mayweather was more subtle than usual.The UFC champion and boxing legend faced off for the first time ahead of the mega fight next month, with both McGregor and Mayweather trading endless verbal barbs.
But the biggest insult from the 28-year-old Irish-born fighter was hidden in plain view of Mayweather, with McGregor wearing a suit complete with pin stripes containing the words 'F**K YOU' throughout the press call.
On a late Tuesday afternoon and into the evening at Staples Center, an estimated 10,800 spectators watched Mayweather Junior and McGregor trade barbs and insults ahead of their August 26 mismatch. Because on paper, that is what it is. But the thought lingers that McGregor is capable of the unthinkable... and it is for that reason that this promotion works.
Given the unbridled support for McGregor, the fans needed little convincing that the Irishman is bringing something special. This fight barely needs selling as the two teams and a phalanx of PR people and agents, the UFC, SHOWTIME sports - who will televise the spectacle - and the leading figures from both boxing and MMA, communed for this one-off event, which bordered on a WWE spectacular in Los Angeles.
From here to Toronto on Wednesday, New York on Thursday and London on Friday. By then Mayweather will be sick of the sight and sound of the uber-confident mixed martial artist, having eschewed any wishes McGregor had to alight in Dublin. It would simply have been too much. Mayweather would have been gobbled up by McGregor's invading hordes of supporters. It was a wise move to turn down the Irish sojourn.
McGregor leapt right into the head of Mayweather on Tuesday night, saying he would stop the unbeaten boxer "inside four rounds", mocking his attire and the so-called tax issues the American may have, and insisting that Mayweather "has never really been in a fight".
Yet Mayweather is set to earn a nine-figure pay day - possibly between $150 and $250 million dollars for this contest - which could take his earnings close to the billion dollar mark.
The fans are already sold on it, judging by the scenes here in Los Angeles. The bad guy, and the uncontrollable crazy underdog, are the roles set for them. The crowd roared with approval when McGregor entered the arena, walked on the stage and every time his image was shown on the giant screens. It marked a stark difference to the catcalls for Mayweather, the natural villain of the piece. Yet in the ring, Mayweather will hold all the aces. But in PR terms, McGregor truly is peerless.
American fans are being asked to part with $99.95 for a pay-per-view broadcast of the fight on SHOWTIME, while Sky Sports Box Office is expected to be confirmed as the broadcaster for the UK screening of the event in the coming days.
McGregor and Mayweather will be back on private jets Tuesday night, heading off to Toronto. It’ll be very interesting to see the format of the in-arena press conference in the Canadian city. On Tuesday, it looked more like a boxing press conference, rather than a UFC production with lots of back-and-forth verbal exchanges between the fighters.
McGregor himself said he was not expecting to give a speech and was caught off guard. During UFC press conferences, he excels at repartee with his opponents — he’s a master of the trash talk counter punch.
“The Notorious” did get a bit of that later Tuesday when Floyd Sr. crashed his print media press conference. The two had a verbal altercation for nearly 10 minutes on and off. Floyd Sr. said his son would beat McGregor’s “ass” and the elder Mayweather even challenged McGregor to a boxing match himself for Wednesday.
UFC president White has predicted that the fight will establish a new record in pay-per-view sales, overhauling the 4.6 million record set by Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao in 2015, which was criticised for its lack of excitement.
White also told The Daily Telegraph, when asked, that there were concerns over whether McGregor may ever fight again after this contest, for which he is estimated to be earning around $80 million to $120 million dollars.
It will transform McGregor's life, and White believes that "McGregor deserves everything he gets". But when asked if this could mean the end of his fighting career, the Irishman explained that he loves MMA too much to end it now. "I'll be back in mixed martial arts, because I love my sport and I love fighting," he explained.
McGregor will throw everything he has at Mayweather, for sure, and the 28 year-old began his dance in the face of the first impassive, then excitable Mayweather as the two exchanged vulgarities to the delight of the crowd.
Then, away from the baying crowds, in a packed media room, Mayweather talked up McGregor's chances. “He does have a chance. Every time two warriors go out there and compete, anything can happen.”
- Conor McGregor has faced off with Floyd Mayweather in their first press meeting
- The Irish UFC champion traded verbal barbs throughout with the boxing legend
- McGregor wore a suit which was subtly complete with expletive-laden pinstripes
- In contrast, Mayweather wore an American flag tracksuit hoody and denim jeans
- The two fighters are on a four-leg promotional tour that ends in London on Friday
- Mayweather and McGregor will face-off at in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 26
Nor was he offended that, with so much betting on McGregor, Mayweather is just a 7-1 favourite, in spite never having been beaten and being a professor of his art, and genuinely one of the sport's most acute defensive masters of all time. “He’s young,” Mayweather said. “He’s in his 20s, I’m in my 40s. He’s active. I’m not active. I mean, I’m surprised it’s not a lot closer.”
McGregor, speaking in the press room after the public section of the news conference, with his opponent absent, brought up Mayweather's age, then adding in jest that he could not tell the difference between the undefeated champion and his father, Floyd Sr. That prompted Floyd Sr to bark at McGregor. It was one of the highlights of the day,
McGregor shot back that Mayweather Jr. and Mayweather Sr. should not have taken this gigantic money fight. McGregor and Mayweather Jr. will meet Aug. 26 in Las Vegas.
“Ya’s got greedy and that’s it,” McGregor said. “He could have been 49-0, riding off into the sunset. Trust me, he got greedy here. That was a big mistake. You misadvised him. You should have kept him retired. It’s your fault. … Your boy is going to sleep.”
McGregor ended it with a cackle. He seemed much more comfortable backstage, having a tete-a-tete than just giving a speech in front of the fans gathered in the arena.
The UFC lightweight champion maintained that he would knock Mayweather out within four rounds, with Mayweather’s father and trainer present.
The repartee was off the charts. Floyd Mayweather Snr proved the perfect foil. “You get your chance on August 26, Junior,” said McGregor, in jest, sending the boxer's father up. McGregor's every sledge and counter comment brought laughter, but McGregor had more to add. “He could have been 49-0, rode off into the sunset,” he said to Mayweather Snr. “Trust me, he got greedy here. That was a big mistake. You mis-advised him. You should have kept him retired. It’s your fault.”
“But it was the fans demanded this fight,” added McGregor, who has no boxing experience as a professional. Then he set about his rival. “He’s got little legs and little hands. A little head and a little core.
“I’m going to knock him out inside of four rounds. Mark my words. Floyd will be unconscious inside of four rounds.
“The power and ferociousness that I have, he’s never experienced it before. I don’t fear him. That’s the be-all end-all here. My fist will break his guard.
“He can be defensive and catch the shots and those things. But if he catches the shot on his glove, it’s going to rattle his whole brain. That’s the end of it.”
Some sell from the Irish fighter who is already a winner by luring Mayweather back for a mega-fight event for the ages. But it may only end up as exactly that... a big sell.
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