Well stuff me sideways, this keeps slowly creeping towards actually happening.
Conor McGregor, vicious Irish mongoose and MMA icon, has long been angling for a blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather, retired undefeated boxing champ and convicted domestic abuser.
For his part Mayweather, convicted domestic abuser, has constantly stated that the issue is one of money; the price tag has gotta be right, and he seemingly doesn’t believe the UFC is anywhere near his level of box office draw.
But nevertheless, the bout keeps ever-so-slowly gathering momentum. Conor himself poured further fuel on the flames by quietly obtaining a Californian state boxing license; a necessary bit of paperwork that would allow him to box professionally in California, and something of a gateway license to obtaining a Nevada state boxing license to enable any potential bout to take place in its likely home of Las Vegas.
So that’s Conor’s side of the story: He would like the fight, and he’s making the necessary moves to crank that door open.
Mayweather, convicted domestic abuser, has always been a different story. The retired boxer has forever enjoyed a highly stage-managed career, and a shared spotlight in the match simply wouldn’t ever be good enough for him.
But on the other hand, he’s not not interested. And today’s development of a monetary offer is certainly a big step forward towards getting in the ring.
Mayweather, convicted domestic abuser, put out an uncharacteristically restrained statement outlining the financial deal he’s willing to offer Conor for the fight. Even if that offer is something of a big backhanded slap in the ole’ mush.
McGregor initially demanded an astronomical $100million cheque to take the fight. But Mayweather, convicted domestic abuser, responded with a slightly different offer: $15million, and a cut of the (likely gargantuan) PPV take.
Speaking to ESPN, the 39-year-old boxer laid down his terms:
“They know what my number is. My number is a guaranteed $100 million. That was my number. We are willing to give him $15 million and then we can talk about splitting the percentage, the back end, on the pay-per-view. But of course, we’re the A side. How can a guy talk about making 20 or 30 million if he has never made 8 or 9 million in a fight.”
See? Restrained. As far as his previous history of comments is concerned, that might as well have been a tender kiss on the forehead.
It’s a point not without merit, though. McGregor does hold the record for the highest UFC purse ever earned. But that payday, for his UFC 202 fight against Nate Diaz, raked in a cool $3million. So even a $15million payday would be a gigantic step up for the Irishman.
As for Mayweather, the convicted domestic abuser might be talking outrageous numbers, but there’s certainly nothing else on his slate that’s taking his fancy.
“Only thing I’m probably interested in is the Conor McGregor fight. I’m a businessman, and it makes business sense.”
McGregor, for his part, isn’t exactly shy about his ambitions.
Subtle as a brick, as always.
