Conor McGregor doesn't need any help with his confidence, but with the approval to use 8-ounce gloves in his matchup with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on August 26 just made him even more optimistic.
The Nevada Athletic Commission ruled earlier in the day the fight would use 8-ounce gloves rather than the traditional 10-ouncers mandated for any match above 147 pounds. McGregor and Mayweather agreed to a 154-pound bout.
Mayweather has used 8-ounce gloves in all but three of his 49 career fights, but McGregor doesn't care. The Irishman is still fully confident he will tally a knockout and hand Mayweather his first career loss.
There was a lot of heat over the approval to lower the glove size. Many observers felt the NSAC's decision was influenced by the hundreds of millions that are involved in the event.
According to Nevada Commission head Bob Bennett, this decision to approve 8-ounce gloves was a for the benefit of the fighters and the fans.
"Conor is used to fighting in 4-ounce gloves. Floyd typically fights in 8-ounce gloves with three exceptions - 'Canelo', Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya - because he usually fights at welterweight [147lbs]," Bennett told Sky Sports.
"We evaluated our regulations and decided it was in the best interest of the fighters and the fans to deviate for one-time only. This is a one-time waiver with the caveat that the gloves must be inspected, which is standard procedure. The original pair must then be returned to the commission after the fight for our inspection."
Asked about safety concerns with the smaller gloves, Bennett said: "We initiated a study to see if there is a significant difference between 8oz and 10oz gloves. This study was not completed. We will proceed with the review. A one-time exception, while we continue this study, is applicable because you could argue that it's beneficial to each fighter."