Los Angeles: Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor again traded verbal jabs Tuesday as the circus-like countdown to their money-spinning superfight cranked into overdrive on the Las Vegas Strip.
Thousands of fans including a sizeable contingent of Irish supporters thronged the heart of the Nevada boxing capital to greet Mayweather and McGregor at their separate formal grand arrival ceremonies.
Mayweather has been lured out of retirement to face McGregor, a MMA star. The two men meet in a 12-round contest under boxing rules Saturday that is tipped to become the richest fight in history.
The cross-combat collision has appalled boxing purists, with many decrying the event as a farcical publicity stunt more in keeping with the choreographed traditions of WWE.
Mayweather and McGregor however, have all through insisted that they are ready to deliver a battle for the ages.
“This is not even close to my toughest challenge ever. I will crumble him (Mayweather),” McGregor said Tuesday. “I have adapted perfectly to boxing, I am very pleased and ready. I’m a special man, I will prove that August 26, this will go one or two rounds, maybe I will bang him out and hurt him.
“If he survives, I will decide whether I embarrass or seriously hurt him. I am calm and cool, same as I am in every fight. I am fit, sharp and I am gonna be ruthless in there. I believe he will be unconscious inside one round,” added the Irishman.
A relaxed-looking Mayweather meanwhile had earlier encouraged fans to bet on the fight finishing inside 12 rounds. He repeated the same statement once more.
“I talked to you before and said that this fight wouldn’t go the distance,” Mayweather said. “If you’re going to bet, bet it won’t go (the distance).”
Mayweather did his best to play down his status as a heavy favourite, insisting that his two-year layoff from the ring had blunted his prowess.
“That’s what makes this fight so intriguing, I’ve been out a few years, feel like I’ve lost a few steps,” Mayweather pointed out. “So we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Earlier Tuesday, Mayweather had taunted McGregor over his fitness, telling the US website ‘FightHype’ that he believed his opponent would struggle to make the 154-pound limit for Saturday’s bout.
“Conor McGregor is extremely heavy right now,” Mayweather stated. “I think he’s 164 so he’s still got 10 pounds to go.” McGregor could face a painful financial penalty if he is unable to tip the scales inside the limit. Also it could give Mayweather the option of cancelling a fight or collecting a larger share of the purse if an opponent fails to make weight.
Agence France-Presse
