Floyd Mayweather slams comparisons to Conor McGregor as 'total disrespect'
After knocking out Eddie Alvarez over the weekend to become the first UFC fighter to ever hold two championship belts at the same time, Conor McGregor is on everyone’s radar. Everyone, it would seem, except Floyd Mayweather.
Mayweather, who was in discussions to fight McGregor earlier this year, claimed he wasn’t aware of McGregor’s historic win.
In a street interview with entertainment reporters TMZ, the retired boxer appeared to be sick of comparisons between the two fighters.
The pound-for-pound boxing champion made it clear that McGregor’s achievements pale in comparison to his own.
“I didn’t know Conor McGregor was undefeated. I didn’t know he had a reign in MMA for 20 years and 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 if you say he’s the Floyd Mayweather of the MMA,” he said.
“If you say he’s the Floyd Mayweather of the MMA, I’m trying to find out have you ever made $300 million in one night? Have you ever made $100 million in one night? Have you ever made $70 million in one night? So as far as saying he’s the Floyd Mayweather of MMA — it’s ok to say it but it’s not true.”
In previous interviews, Mayweather complimented the Irish fighter and was even flattered by comparisons between them - apparently not anymore.
He finished up the interview by demanding: “Never compare Conor McGregor to me.”
“It’s total disrespect,” he said. “I’m an elephant. An elephant don’t beef with ants. Elephant is so large he don’t even see ants.”
In September, Mayweather said he tried to make the fight between him and McGregor happen, but it never eventuated.
Another big fight being fuelled by speculation is a rematch between Mayweather and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 37, posted on his social media accounts on Monday a photo of himself wearing the suit with his picture on the right side of the coat and Mayweather's on the left.
"Like my jacket?", Pacquiao, who was elected to the Philippines Senate in May, captioned the photo.
Pacquiao said he was eager to avenge his 2015 loss to Mayweather in the richest fight in history.
"Not only for myself, but the fans of boxing want the rematch, then why not? We can easily talk about that it is not a problem," Pacquiao said.
Mayweather has never completely shut down the idea of returning to the ring. Because as much as he loves retirement, he loves money a little bit more.
"I'm loving retirement, but for a couple more bucks you just don't know."