CONOR McGREGOR swaggered into his third press conference with Floyd Mayweather, this one at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, wearing a fur coat, no shirt and sunglasses. The UFC star is not short of confidence. Mayweather draped an Irish flag over his shoulders. Shrugging off his coat, McGregor went nose to nose with him when they faced off.
Then in a novel twist, during the press conference, Mayweather started to throw money over Conor McGregor.
The Irishman remained impassive until he suddenly shouted, “They’re all ones!”
A cheerful Mayweather then beckoned his entourage to join him facing McGregor, prompting Conor’s entourage to collide with them.
The American continued to lambast McGregor for tapping out. “”I’ve been doing this for 21 years in five weigh classes. I’ve never quit,” Floyd said. “”I have to stand up for the Americans and the American fight fans. He represents his country and I represent the red, white and blue. I represent everyone in this country.”
“I knew that this was going to be a huge event. We had to give the people what they wanted to see and if we break the PPV record, all I’ll be doing is breaking my own record,” he continued. “I’m just thankful to be in this position. To be at this age and compete against young guys, it’s a blessing. He’s bigger, he has a longer reach and I’ve been inactive. Plus, we’ve never seen him lose standing up. He feels like he’s the best. I was the best when I was competing. So I think I had to come back for this last hurrah.
“Even though I haven’t been competing in boxing, you still have young guys calling me out all the time. Even the MMA fighters call me out.
“My thing is that either I’m going to get him, or he’s going to get me. The outcome is going to be what it’s going to be. Once you have that mindset, you’re going to be okay. He’s coming for me and I’m coming for him.”
Mayweather warned, “Nobody knows that squared circle like me. I know angles. I know where to touch you at. I know what you don’t like. I don’t have to watch your tapes. That’s something I’m blessed with. But, he’s unorthodox. So it’ll definitely be something different in the ring. I just have to keep my composure.”
McGregor hit back saying, “Floyd saying he’s going to knock me out is the funniest comment of the whole tour. I hope he comes for it and I hope he brings it. I’ll be prepared for anything and anticipate whatever he brings.
“I’m in great shape, that’s why I’m not wearing a shirt. I’m in shape to fight right now. I don’t have a nick on my body right now. I’m going to be 100 percent on fight night.
“I have a very high fight IQ. I understand when to go and when not to. Only me and the opponent can see these details. I’m very confident whether it’s in a ring or an octagon.
“The rounds are two minutes shorter than I’m used to and there’s a lot less action than I’m used to. He’s going to feel like he’s wrestling a bear when we tie up for the first time. He’s too small. I’m going to have my way with him.
“I know every shot he throws. I know what to expect. He fights the same every time. So we’re preparing. But he knows nothing about me. He has no idea how I’m going approach him.
“I’m not tired of this. It’s really a lot of fun. We’ll keep it professional for now. I could never get tired of this. It’s such a great time to be a fight fan.
“Floyd is saying a lot about me tapping out, but he’s never had a true fight. He knows nothing about the game that I’m involved with. We’ll see who is quitting on August 26.
“To come back here in New York, where I made history and become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles simultaneously, I’m blown away by the support.”
Tickets go on sale July 24.
