Floyd Mayweather says he will fight Conor McGregor again in 2023
Floyd Mayweather confirmed Wednesday morning to the Daily Mail that he is negotiating another fight with Conor McGregor for 2023. The terms of the fight are still being discussed but Mayweather said he'd prefer the bout to just be an exhibition fight rather than an actual boxing match.
"I am not into fights where I am going to take any real punishment," he reportedly told the Daily Mail. "So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don't really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don't really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals but nothing where I am going to put myself in a position where I am going to harm myself or hurt myself."
Mayweather, 45, retired from boxing for the third time after he beat McGregor on Aug. 26, 2017, by TKO in. 10 rounds for his 50th career win. He has never lost a professional fight. Mayweather has also fought in several exhibition matches since his retirement – most notably against internet personality Logan Paul in 2020. He'll face MMA fighter and YouTube celebrity Mikuru Asakura in Japan on Sunday.
As for McGregor, he's still making his UFC comeback after losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021 via technical knockout with a broken tibia. He's lost three of his four UFC fights since boxing Mayweather – including back-to-back losses to Poirier. UFC president Dana White said in June that he hopes McGregor can return to the Octagon by the end of 2022 or early 2023 after recovering from his injury.
Another fight between Mayweather and McGregor would likely be lucractice for both fighters. Mayweather reportedly made $275 million from their match, while McGregor earned $85 million, according to Forbes.