For a while, Floyd Mayweather couldn’t get through an interview or appearance without a potential fight between himself and Conor McGregor coming up. But something changed recently that has apparently soured Floyd on the whole idea, and since then he hasn’t been as positive when the Irishman comes up in discussions. Maybe it was McGregor’s claim that Mayweather is a novice at “true” fighting?
Whatever the case, Floyd Mayweather isn’t interested in talking about Conor McGregor any more. After claiming he wasn’t even aware that McGregor fought, Floyd Mayweather bristled at a TMZ cameraman’s suggestion that Conor was the Mayweather of the MMA world.
“I didn’t know that Conor McGregor was undefeated,” Floyd said sarcastically. “I didn’t know he had a reign in MMA that lasted for 20 years undefeated and was world champion in five different weight classes. That’s something I didn’t know. So I guess you guys are telling me something new.”
“Has he ever made 300 million in one night?” Mayweather continued. “Have you even made 100 million in one night. Have you ever made 70 million in one night. So as far as you trying to say he’s the Floyd Mayweather of MMA … I mean, it’s okay to say it, but it’s not true.”
Mayweather on McGregor: "Didn't know he's undefeated, reigned for 20 years & was world champ in 5 weight classes." pic.twitter.com/xQuwsCzvh2
— UFC (@UFCStuff) November 16, 2016
“I think that it’s time for Conor McGregor to go out there and do what he do. But never compare Conor McGregor to me. It’s a total disrespect. Once again, I’m an elephant. Elephants don’t beef with ants. An elephant is so large, he don’t even see ants.”
In Conor’s defense, he’s had a few $100 million dollar nights so far … the money just doesn’t go right into his pocket. Instead it goes to the UFC, which keeps the whole machinery going so more people like McGregor can come up and make their millions. Meanwhile, boxing remains a broken shell of its former glory because the top guys take all the money and don’t invest any back in the sport.
McGregor also happens to deliver on all of his fights, unlike Mayweather who left people feeling ripped off and disappointed after his stinker of a fight against Manny Pacquiao. Where Floyd spent years calculating the safest route to maintain his undefeated record, McGregor puts himself up to challenge after challenge. His record may not be spotless, but his reputation as a true fighter willing to risk it all more than makes up for that.
So in a lot of ways, we shouldn’t compare Conor McGregor to Floyd Mayweather. That’s disrespectful to Conor McGregor.