You Won't Believe Who Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is Reportedly Close to Fighting Next
Just earlier this week, rumored reports surfaced about Floyd Mayweather Jr. coming out of retirement for a nine-digit pay day.
But the lingering question was who would his 50th opponent be? Manny Pacquiao? Gennady Golovkin? Canelo Alvarez? Danny Garcia?
Well, The Sun is reporting that the undefeated boxing champion is in negotiations to fight UFC star Conor McGregor in what would be the richest fight in boxing history, with revenue projections that would easily top $1 billion.
In fact, the publication is reporting that the two fighters from different genres are close to coming to terms for the most lucrative bout ever — one that McGregor is allegedly calling the "billion dollar fight."
According to The Sun, Mayweather would earn $144.8 million while McGregor would pocket $10.1 million.
How did the idea for a mixed martial arts fighter like McGregor to take on a boxer like Mayweather come about?
“Floyd went mad after Conor said he would crush him and knock him out in 30 seconds," a source told The Sun about McGregor's fighting words for Mayweather last spring. "He’s obsessed with making Conor eat his words."
But Mayweather allegedly saw to it that a proposed match between the two would be purely boxing, not risking any chance of getting a ground-and-pound MMA beatdown from McGregor.
"Floyd is calling the shots," the source added. "It’s strictly boxing and Conor will have to lose roughly 25lbs. It was agreed in principle on May 2, but Floyd wouldn’t reveal the identity of his opponent until last night when he told friends he’ll be fighting Conor."
An MMA fighter in his prime taking on arguably the greatest boxer ever would be unprecedented. Perhaps the closest thing was Muhammad Ali fighting Japanese pro-wrestlerAntonio Inoki in Tokyo back in 1976.
Further fueling the rumored fight between Mayweather and McGregor is the personal history between the two.
Earlier this year, McGregor blasted Mayweather after Money said that the UFC fighter gets a pass for being cocky because he's white.
"Floyd Mayweather, don't ever bring race into my success again," McGregor wrote as part of a Facebook rant this past January. "I am an Irishman. My people have been oppressed our entire existence. And still very much are. I understand the feeling of prejudice. It is a feeling that is deep in my blood."
Would McGregor, 27, have a legit chance to defeat Mayweather, 39, in his own game, though?
A 50th victory would give Mayweather (49-0) the best boxing record of all time. If this match happens, we think Floyd will cruise his way to victory. This isn't an Octagon and McGregor will have to adjust to Floyd in the ring. Expect a boxing clinic from Mayweather.
That being said, you already know this fight would break the all-time record for pay-per-view buys.
How could it not?
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