Conor McGregor accuses Floyd Mayweather of a ‘big time gambling problem’

CONOR McGREGORย accused Floyd Mayweather of having a โ€œbig-time gambling problemโ€ as the two faced off ahead of Saturdayโ€™s fight in Las Vegas.

The pair were unexpectedly relaxed when they saw each other for the final time before Fridayโ€™s weigh-in, in contrast to the tense grand arrival on Tuesday and the foul-mouthed exchanges on the earlier press tour.

Mayweatherโ€™s openness regarding gambling is central to his โ€œMoney Mayweatherโ€ persona but there remain those within boxing who believe it may lead to an eventual comeback, despite his personal wealth reportedly standing at ยฃ266 million last year.


The 40-year-old has also repeatedly insisted this will be his last fight and that he will retire having surpassed the record of the great Rocky Marciano and moved to 50-0. McGregor, having been told Mayweather had said he is considering โ€œputting the most Iโ€™ve ever done at the sports bookโ€ on another victory, calmly responded: โ€œHe needs to let that gambling go โ€“ heโ€™s a bit heavy on that gambling.

โ€œHeโ€™s always talking about doing it and then not doing it. I donโ€™t really care. You donโ€™t really see many winners in those types of places.

conor mcgregor at a news conference in las vegas ahead of his fight with floyd mayweather (ap photo/john locher)
Conor McGregor at a news conference in Las Vegas ahead of his fight with Floyd Mayweather (AP Photo/John Locher)

โ€œI certainly know he has a big-time gambling problem, from seeing him. He gambles on half-times and things like that. He shows what his wins are, never shows what the losses are. โ€œMaybe thatโ€™s why heโ€™s in the position heโ€™s in and he had to take this fight. Iโ€™m focused on the fight, not gambling.โ€ One of Mayweatherโ€™s minders then dared the 29-year-old to bet his purse โ€“ which at a reported minimum of ยฃ59 million will be the biggest of his career โ€“ and he said: โ€œThatโ€™s no problem, we can bet the purse.โ€ Mayweather then waved off the prospect of him also doing so, and similarly intervened when the same individual attempted to goad his Irish opponent, before repeating his insistence that he will win via knockout for the first time in six years.

The American has rarely remained aggressive in his fights, 26 of which he has won inside the distance, but he last won via stoppage against Victor Ortiz in 2011, and this also represents a significantly less competitive match-up.

โ€œIโ€™ve said itโ€™s not going the distance and you can mark my words,โ€ he said. โ€œI know heโ€™s going to come out and switch and go back and forth with stances. Itโ€™s my job to execute my game plan and adjust if I have to.

โ€œThis is great for the city of Las Vegas. Itโ€™s all about giving back and Iโ€™m giving back to my home of Las Vegas. This city has welcomed me with open arms from day one. Weโ€™re doing great numbers. Itโ€™s the biggest fight in history. Itโ€™s not just a fight, itโ€™s an event. Itโ€™s all about breaking my own records.โ€

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