FLOYD MAYWEATHER’S mooted crossover fight with UFC star Conor McGregor has been met with widespread derision among boxing circles, and now the WBA have confirmed their stance on it.
Yesterday, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza announced that the sanctioning body would play no part in the fight as he views it as merely an “exhibition.”
Though the fight has not yet been made, Mendoza made it clear that should Mayweather come out of retirement, there are bigger challenges he could take.
“I think this would only be an exhibition fight. I don’t think it’s good for boxing to endorse it as an official fight. I think both are great athletes, but Floyd is retired and if he wants to be back, he has great boxers whom he can face and provide a good show,” he said.
The announcement follows the release of Oscar De La Hoya’s open letter about the fight, in which he dubbed it a “circus” and called on boxing fans to reject it.
McGregor, though wildly successful in the UFC, has never boxed as a professional and never progressed beyond novice level as an amateur.
Mayweather held two WBA titles – at welterweight and super-welterweight – during his illustrious career. However, Mendoza wants no involvement in a potential McGregor fight.
“I know this fight can be done,” he continued.
“However, I want to make it clear that the World Boxing Association will not get involved in the event. We respect both athletes and it seems to me that Mayweather proved to be the best, as McGregor has done in the UFC, but a bout between both should not be more than an exhibition.”
Though many fans will agree with the WBA’s stance, it seems highly unikely any major title will be up for grabs if Mayweather were to box McGregor.
However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission have made it clear they would certainly sanction the fight in Las Vegas and McGregor has even applied for a professional boxing licence with them.
