Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants no part of the Conor McGregor hype.
Mayweather wasn’t among the millions who watched McGregor defeat Eddie Alvarez on Saturday night at UFC 205 — or so he says — and he definitely isn’t among those who think there’s a comparison to be drawn between what McGregor has accomplished in UFC and what he accomplished in boxing.
“I didn’t know Conor McGregor was undefeated. I didn’t know that he had a reign in MMA for 20 years and undefeated and was world champion in five different weight classes. That’s something I didn’t know,” Mayweather told TMZ Sports. “So I guess you guys are telling me something new if you say he’s the Floyd Mayweather of the MMA.
“If you say he’s the Floyd Mayweather of the MMA, I’m trying to find out have you ever made $300 million in one night? Have you ever made $100 million in one night? Have you ever made $70 million in one night. So as far as saying he’s the Floyd Mayweather of MMA, it’s OK to say it, but it’s not true.”
Mayweather, who insists he’s retired, finished his boxing career with a perfect 49-0 record. McGregor, meanwhile, is the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes (featherweight and lightweight) simultaneously after defeating Alvarez over the weekend at Madison Square Garden.
But Mayweather still considers it a slap in the face to liken McGregor’s résumé in the cage to his résumé in the ring. Mayweather, 39, already is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. McGregor, 28, is in the prime of his career with a March loss to Nate Diaz on his record.
“I’m a legend, a living legend,” Mayweather told TMZ Sports. “To the sport of boxing I gave years and years of hard work. It was blood, sweat and tears. Had a tremendous team, had a tremendous run.
“I think it’s that time for Conor McGregor to go out there and do what he do. But never compare Conor McGregor to me. It’s a total disrespect. Once again, I’m an elephant. An elephant don’t beef with ants. Elephant is so large he don’t even see ants.”
Regardless of who you like more, these two sure can talk with the best of them. In fact, it’s to the point where one doesn’t even need to open his mouth for the other to get offended.
Let’s hope they someday find a way to settle their differences physically.
