FLOYD MAYWEATHER has seemingly changed the agreed glove size for his August 26 clash with UFC star Conor McGregor.
The pair, who will meet at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, are boxing over 12 rounds at 154lbs. They were originally set to use the standard 10oz boxing gloves, but it appears Floyd wants to change that.
In a post on social media, he has claimed he will instead wear 8oz gloves and encourages the Irishman – who is used to the UFC’s 4oz gloves – to do the same.
“Don’t believe what you hear in the media. Don’t believe what you hear on blog sites. If it’s not coming directly from me, then it’s not true,” he wrote.
“I’m telling McGregor, “Let’s fight in 8 oz gloves”. McGregor can fight in any brand he prefers or chooses. I’ll be wearing 8 oz Grant gloves.
“Whatever advantage McGregor needs to feel more comfortable in the ring, I’m willing to accommodate. Let’s give the boxing and MMA fans what they want to see.”
However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission rules state that in a bout contested higher than 147lbs, the boxers must wear 10oz gloves. The size of the gloves is usually an issue covered in the fight contracts as well, meaning both parties have supposedly signed off on 10oz gloves, rather than 8oz ones. UFC President Dana White had previously stated that the weight of the gloves was one of the sticking points in making a deal.
Mayweather has previous when it comes to stipulations about gloves. He threatened to cancel his first fight with Marcos Maidana at the last minute over which type of Everlast gloves the Argentinian could use.
It remains to be seen whether McGregor will accept Mayweather’s proposal and whether they will be allowed to use the smaller gloves.
