The MMA vs boxing discussion is a very lame one, I admit. But as soon as people like Ronda Rousey or Floyd Mayweather get involved in it, it starts to gain interest, and you can’t deny that. Well, hold your breath guys, because Conor McGregor has just entered the picture.
At a media lunch last week, the brash UFC interim-featherweight champion weighed in on his status in the UFC and the things he has accomplished at his young age, compared to boxing great Floyd Mayweather.
“As far as (the UFC) searching for stars since Georges (St-Pierre) and Anderson (Silva), bring Georges and Anderson back,” he said this past week in Las Vegas. (Transcription via MMA Junkie) “You think they’re on this level? You think they were 26 years of age with all these records, with these numbers? No they weren’t. Not even Floyd was 26 with this record and these numbers.
“I have the game in the palm of my hand, and they know it, and I know it, and they know I know it.”
While McGregor might be right that Mayweather hasn’t been as popular and financially successful as him at only 26 years of age, boxing’s pound-for-pound king has already won an Olympic bronze medal in the amateur circuit and was a two-time, two-division world champion as a professional back then. Today, Mayweather breaks every record there is. He is undefeated in 48 pro bouts and he is the highest-paid athlete in the world, with $300 million salary per year. Still, the Irish loudmouth feels he can match up to him.
“I feel, I’m about to be here, eye to eye (to Mayweather). That’s where I feel I’m at. That’s a good thing. There’s been nobody eye to eye in this game just yet. I feel, I am eye to eye.”
Mayweather is looking to rack up his 49th this Saturday against Andre Berto, while McGregor is expected to face featherweight champion Jose Aldo in December.