Mayweather: I'm Taking McGregor Fight Extremely Seriously

By Keith Idec

LAS VEGAS – Maybe Conor McGregor has bought into Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s promotional ploys.

The UFC superstar alluded Wednesday during a press conference at MGM Grand to indications Mayweather isn’t taking their fight as seriously as he has taken other fights in his 20-year pro boxing career. Mayweather went out of his way to make it seem like he is taking McGregor lightly by emphasizing that, at 40 years old, he’s not the same fighter he once was and by saying that’ll he’ll spend time at his Las Vegas strip club each day for a week-and-a-half through Sunday.

Those familiar with Mayweather, however, realize that the foundation of his legendary career is that he prepares properly for every fight. It seems unlikely that he would start slacking off before he can record his 50th victory, especially since it would tarnish his legacy if he lost to a mixed martial artist who’ll box for the first time against Mayweather (49-0, 26 KOs).

“I had a tremendous training camp – a very, very, very great training camp,” Mayweather said during the press conference. “You know, we had so many different guys that gave me different looks and I appreciate that. You know, to be in a sport, period, a combat sport, no matter if it’s MMA or boxing, we’re fighters at the end of the day.

“To be in this sport 21 years, I had to take it extremely serious. And for you guys to think that Saturday, I’m not taking this serious, I’m taking this extremely serious. But the thing is this, when it’s all said and done I know one thing that I can do – I can fight. I can give it and I can take it. But for me to be 49-0, it’s obvious I’m not receiving it, I’m giving it.”

Earlier in the press conference, the 29-year-old McGregor questioned Mayweather’s commitment to training for their 12-round, 154-pound fight Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena (Showtime Pay-Per-View; $99.95 in HD).

“I really appreciate the support from everybody back home, all over the world,” McGregor said. “It’s been very humbling and motivating to me. That’s why I’ve put in the work. You see the work put in from me, compared to him, in this camp. I’ve taken this very seriously. I’ve had referees in camp. I’ve taken The Marquess of Queensberry rules very seriously, and I will go out and I will perform. I’m not gonna look to implement anything. I’m gonna out-box this man at his own game. That’s how skilled and how much of a different level I am to him.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.