Conor McGregor’s trainer, John Kavanagh, held nothing back when he explained why he'd never shake the hand of former five division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Back in April, Kavanagh conducted an interview in Australia, where he lashed out at Mayweather over the boxer's troubled past when it came to allegations of domestic violence. On December 21, 2011, a Las Vegas judge sentenced Mayweather to serve 90 days in the county jail for battery upon ex-girlfriend Josie Harris in September 2010.
The trainer also feels Mayweather is a bully, and allows fighters to be bullied, at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.
There are ongoing negotiations for Mayweather to face McGregor in a high-profile boxing match in the fall.
Regardless of the outcome, Kavanagh is planning to stick to his guns when it comes to shaking Mayweather's hand or showing him any respect after the fight.
"When I was in Australia in April, a lot was made of the fact that I highlighted Mayweather’s history of domestic violence during an interview. I’m not sure why people felt this was such a big deal, given that the man has already been convicted of beating up women. That’s a fact. I have absolutely no time for any man with a track record of such behaviour," Kavanagh told 42.ie.
"In addition to that, from what I’ve seen of his gym, it appears to be the type of atmosphere in which bullies thrive. As many people will know, being bullied is what originally led me to martial arts. I’ve sought to create an atmosphere in my gym where people who have been victims of bullying can feel safe.
"In Mayweather’s gym, the better fighter bullies his training partner. But that’s not how it should work. The better fighter should always be conscious of their duty to pass on their expertise and help their training partners to grow. It should never be a competition in the gym. To me, Mayweather is a lowlife. He’s a guy I’d never want to have any contact with. Regardless of the outcome of this fight, I won’t be shaking his hand."
According to Kavanagh, the deal is very close and the weight will be close to the welterweight limit of 147-pounds.
"The fight is close to being agreed and it will be at a weight very close to 145 pounds — maybe just a couple of pounds above that — so Conor will show once again that making that weight, if necessary, isn’t an issue for him," Kavanagh said.
"Everything has been agreed from Conor’s perspective, from numbers to ruleset (pure boxing). I don’t know what’s taking Mayweather so long to sign the contract but we’re 100% ready to go. The ball is in his court now. We’re training for the fight — September has been mentioned — so we’re just waiting for the news with each passing day."