FLOYD MAYWEATHER has defended the trash talk and offensive language used during a recent press tour to promote his upcoming fight with UFC star Conor McGregor.
The pair stopped off in four cities – Los Angeles, Toronto, Brooklyn in New York and London – and every press conference saw them both sling insults at one another.
Mayweather, who had been more reserved in the latter years of his career, slid effortlessly back into the role of villain during the press tour, playing up to crowds and boasting about his wealth.
“I like that heโs got confidence. Thatโs the confidence we need. We need more guys [like that],” he said of the Irishman.
“They say heโs brought the โPretty Boyโ Floyd back. We need more guys like the โMoneyโ Mayweather, the โPretty Boyโ Floyd Mayweather, the Conor McGregor, we need guys to be more aggressive to one another, to be trash-talking to one another. Thatโs what combat sports need.”
The press tour made headlines across the globe, and while earlier parts of it were entertaining, it eventually devolved into vulgarity with accusations of racism and homophobia being aimed at McGregor and Mayweather respectively.
When assessing the various media conferences, Mayweather rejected claims that Conor stole the show and believes he even got under his adversary’s skin at times.
“Iโm the best at this. Trash-talking, Iโm the best at it. When heโs out there saying his piece, speaking from the heart, taking shots at me, I donโt say anything. Itโs called respect. And then when itโs my turn to speak, heโs constantly interrupting me. My thing is this; treat people how you want to be treated,” he said.
“Itโs obvious that Iโm pushing buttons and heโs not able to push my buttons. Itโs different than any other opponents in that he canโt out-talk me. As far as in the fight game, whether itโs the octagon or boxing ring, Iโve got a high IQ.
“Iโve come across a lot of trash-talkers. At the end of the day heโs not bad. Weโll rank him number two; Iโm number one. Heโs not bad.”