Conor McGregor’s father Tony has weighed in on the ongoing controversy revolving around the UFC lightweight champion and several comments he made during the four-day press tour to promote his upcoming boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, saying his son is not racist.
As reported by Marc Raimondi of MMAFighting.com, Tony McGregor addressed the issue during Monday’s The MMA Hour podcast and took a shot at the Notorious’ detractors in the process, calling them “race-baiters“:
“Conor McGregor is not racist. This fight is not about race; this fight is about skill and technique. In fact, I don’t think any fight is ever about race. The color of skin is immaterial. It’s the victory that Conor is looking for. It’s imperative, that’s the only thing I’d say in that.”
Per Raimondi, McGregor repeatedly called Mayweather “boy” during the first two stops of the tour. Many called the Irishman out for the negative connotation of such language, and he doubled down during the third stop in Brooklyn, saying he was half-black “from the belly button down” and hip-thrusting for his “beautiful black female fans.”
While Mayweather initially dodged the question about whether or not McGregor’s comments were racist, he discussed the matter in a press conference after the last incident. Sports Illustrated shared some of his comments:
Per Raimondi, McGregor said accusations he was racist were unfounded, but he did express regret over the way he handled the issue during the stop in Brooklyn: “It didn’t really hit right. I’m just gonna stay where it is and leave it out. I know who I am as a person. I think most realistic people can look and know.”
The two will meet on August 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
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