Author: Tyler Conway

Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor Fight Sees More $1 Million Bets Than Super Bowl

Two more bets of $1 million have been placed Saturday for the fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr., bringing the total to four.
David Purdum of ESPN.com reported that’s three more than the $1 million bet total for Super Bowl LI in Febr…

Two more bets of $1 million have been placed Saturday for the fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr., bringing the total to four.

David Purdum of ESPN.com reported that’s three more than the $1 million bet total for Super Bowl LI in February.

The reasoning here is pretty simple. While the Super Bowl is something of a crapshoot from a bettor’s perspective, Mayweather is clearly the favorite here. The 40-year-old enters Saturday with a 49-0 career record and will be going against McGregor, an MMA legend-in-the-making who has never boxed professionally.

Purdum’s report points out that 92 percent of 1,200 bets placed at Caesars Palace sportsbooks were on McGregor. However, all four of the $1 million bets ahead of the fight are on Mayweather. Bettors are seeing what they believe to be an easy win on the board and taking advantage of a line that’s moved down in McGregor’s favor since the fight was announced.

That the big-money bets are pouring in now makes the most sense. It’s unlikely books are going to move any more between now and fight time, so this is as good as the Mayweather money is going to get.

The estimated $80 million expected to be bet overall on Mayweather-McGregor would set a Nevada state record.

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Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Trade Insults in Final Presser Before Fight

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. spent most of his afternoon in a more subdued state, Conor McGregor remained boisterous Wednesday in the final press conference before their bout in Las Vegas on Saturday. 
“I will break this old man…I don’t see him la…

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. spent most of his afternoon in a more subdued state, Conor McGregor remained boisterous Wednesday in the final press conference before their bout in Las Vegas on Saturday. 

“I will break this old man…I don’t see him lasting two rounds,” McGregor said. “I feel I’ll have the decision to end it inside one. He messed up with them eight-ounce gloves.

“I’m gonna f–k this boy up, make no mistake. And when it’s all said and done, I’m gonna feel a little bit sad. Because you all should have kept your mouths shut. You should have left me over in that other game where I’m from, that more ruthless game where we bounce heads off the canvas and drill them into the floor. You should have left me where I was because this man is not on my level, he’s not even a quarter of the man I am.”

McGregor, 29, will be making his professional boxing debut Saturday. He’s the only UFC fighter in history to hold multiple championships simultaneously.

Mayweather, 40, is one of the most decorated boxers in history. This will be his 50th professional fight and will give him a chance to move to 50-0, breaking a tie with Rocky Marciano. 

“Competing against the best, that’s what it’s about,” Mayweather said. “Taking chances. What city better than Las Vegas to take a chance? This city is built on gambling, and I’m taking a gamble but it’s worth it.”

Mayweather may be preparing to bet on himself in more than one way. Gambling expert RJ Bell reported Mayweather was considering a $5 million bet on himself. When asked, McGregor said he “may” bet on himself, but used the question as an opportunity to rip Money’s penchant for gambling:

“I think he has a big-time gambling problem. From seeing him, he gambles on halftimes and things like that. He shows what his wins are but never shows what the losses are. Maybe that’s why he’s in the position he’s in and had to take this fight.”

While McGregor was quick to say he’d take care of business early, Mayweather made it clear he’s confident in his ability to outbox his opponent. 

“Pacquiao got bombs, Canelo got bombs, Shane Mosely had bombs, and all of those guys are going into the Hall of Fame,” Mayweather said. “But one thing about me, I’ve got a grinning chin. The same way you give it, you have to be able to take it. Remember this.”

McGregor, undeterred as ever, did not seem remotely phased by the difference in experience. 

“The fight business is the fight business,” McGregor. “I can go into any rule sets, that’s what a true material artist can do. I am truly, truly skilled in many forms of fighting. After I get a victory Saturday night, I will most certainly look to compete in both sports.”

McGregor even joked about conquering both MMA and boxing, then creating his own hybrid of the two as a new sport. 

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Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Trade Insults in Final Presser Before Fight

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. spent most of his afternoon in a more subdued state, Conor McGregor remained boisterous Wednesday in the final press conference before their bout in Las Vegas on Saturday. 
“I will break this old man…I don’t see him la…

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. spent most of his afternoon in a more subdued state, Conor McGregor remained boisterous Wednesday in the final press conference before their bout in Las Vegas on Saturday. 

“I will break this old man…I don’t see him lasting two rounds,” McGregor said. “I feel I’ll have the decision to end it inside one. He messed up with them eight-ounce gloves.

“I’m gonna f–k this boy up, make no mistake. And when it’s all said and done, I’m gonna feel a little bit sad. Because you all should have kept your mouths shut. You should have left me over in that other game where I’m from, that more ruthless game where we bounce heads off the canvas and drill them into the floor. You should have left me where I was because this man is not on my level, he’s not even a quarter of the man I am.”

McGregor, 29, will be making his professional boxing debut Saturday. He’s the only UFC fighter in history to hold multiple championships simultaneously.

Mayweather, 40, is one of the most decorated boxers in history. This will be his 50th professional fight and will give him a chance to move to 50-0, breaking a tie with Rocky Marciano. 

“Competing against the best, that’s what it’s about,” Mayweather said. “Taking chances. What city better than Las Vegas to take a chance? This city is built on gambling, and I’m taking a gamble but it’s worth it.”

Mayweather may be preparing to bet on himself in more than one way. Gambling expert RJ Bell reported Mayweather was considering a $5 million bet on himself. When asked, McGregor said he “may” bet on himself, but used the question as an opportunity to rip Money’s penchant for gambling:

“I think he has a big-time gambling problem. From seeing him, he gambles on halftimes and things like that. He shows what his wins are but never shows what the losses are. Maybe that’s why he’s in the position he’s in and had to take this fight.”

While McGregor was quick to say he’d take care of business early, Mayweather made it clear he’s confident in his ability to outbox his opponent. 

“Pacquiao got bombs, Canelo got bombs, Shane Mosely had bombs, and all of those guys are going into the Hall of Fame,” Mayweather said. “But one thing about me, I’ve got a grinning chin. The same way you give it, you have to be able to take it. Remember this.”

McGregor, undeterred as ever, did not seem remotely phased by the difference in experience. 

“The fight business is the fight business,” McGregor. “I can go into any rule sets, that’s what a true material artist can do. I am truly, truly skilled in many forms of fighting. After I get a victory Saturday night, I will most certainly look to compete in both sports.”

McGregor even joked about conquering both MMA and boxing, then creating his own hybrid of the two as a new sport. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Floyd Mayweather Says Conor McGregor Fight Is His Last, Talks Legacy on Call

When Floyd Mayweather last stepped into a ring nearly two years ago to fight Andre Berto, he thought he was doing it for the last time. 
This time, Mayweather says his impending retirement is for real.
“I gave my word to Al Haymon. I gave my word …

When Floyd Mayweather last stepped into a ring nearly two years ago to fight Andre Berto, he thought he was doing it for the last time. 

This time, Mayweather says his impending retirement is for real.

“I gave my word to Al Haymon. I gave my word to my children. And one thing I don’t want to do is break that. … This will be my last fight,” Mayweather said Thursday at a media conference call for his Aug. 26 fight against Conor McGregor. 

Mayweather, who retired after earning a unanimous-decision win over Berto in September 2015, spent most of the conference call reflecting on a career that ranks among the greatest in boxing history. He would set an all-time record with 50 wins without a defeat should he beat McGregor, breaking a tie with Rocky Marciano. 

“I don’t try to focus on other fighters, but I’m appreciative for every fighter that paved the way for me to be where I’m at,” Mayweather said. “Even though this is No. 50, this is my 50th fight, that’s not my focus. My focus is to give the fans an exciting fight. … Rocky Marciano is a legend. Rocky Marciano did it his way. I’d just like to it the Mayweather way.”

McGregor, the most famous face in mixed martial arts, is making his boxing debut after becoming the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold two championships. Some have wondered whether McGregor, in the prime of his career, is taking too big of a risk switching sports altogether in a match that could lower his star power. 

Mayweather said he believes his decision to put his undefeated record on the line is more of a risk.

“I believe I’m taking the bigger risk, I have the 49-0 record,” Mayweather said. “When a fighter has lost before, if he loses again, they say it’s nothing he lost before. But when a boxer has been dominating for twentysome years, never lost, everything is on the line. My legacy, my boxing record, everything is on the line.”

Mayweather also doubled down on his comments acknowledging that he may have lost a step at age 40.

“I’m just being honest, I don’t think I’m the same Floyd Mayweather I was 21 years ago, of course not. I don’t think I’m the same Floyd Mayweather that I was 10 years ago. I’m not even the same Floyd Mayweather I was five or two years ago. But I said I still have a high IQ in that ring, and I said experience wise it leans towards me,” he said.

The fight will take place using eight-ounce gloves, rather than the standard 10-ounce gloves, thanks to a waiver granted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. McGregor typically fights using four-ounce gloves in UFC while boxing typically requires 10-ounce gloves for any weight class above 147 pounds.

Mayweather said that was put in place to avoid excuses on either side, saying, “I’m not really worried about the outcome, I’m worried about excitement. I understand he’s used to fighting in four-ounce gloves…I want to make him feel as comfortable as possible. I’m not going to have any excuses, and I don’t want him to have any excuses.”

As for his post-boxing career, Mayweather said he will focus on real estate ventures, his children and his Mayweather Productions business. He said he wants to leave a legacy behind for his children to take over the businesses and expand them once they graduate from college.

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Floyd Mayweather, Leonard Ellerbe Discuss Tickets, Oscar De La Hoya at Media Day

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp have heard all the speculation about his August 26 prizefight with Conor McGregor not living up to the box office or in-ring expectations.
Mayweather and promoter Leonard Ellerbe took to the media Thursday for an …

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp have heard all the speculation about his August 26 prizefight with Conor McGregor not living up to the box office or in-ring expectations.

Mayweather and promoter Leonard Ellerbe took to the media Thursday for an open workout and meeting with reporters in an attempt to sell the bout.

“Forget what y’all are hearing. We’re doing crazy numbers,” Mayweather told reporters.

“We are going to blow past our own record of $72 million dollars. What are we talking about? This fight is massive,” Ellerbe told reporters.

Ellerbe also took particular exception to the narrative being created by Oscar De La Hoya and his promotional team, which has taken aim at the Mayweather-McGregor match in recent weeks. De La Hoya called it “disrespectful” to have the bout so close in proximity to the Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez bout September 16.

“It was disrespectful,” De La Hoya said on SportsCenter in June (via MMA Fighting). “I would have thought that Dana White would have a little more respect with this boxing event taking place, because look, you just don’t do that. I mean, it’s like having the Super Bowl and then three weeks later the World Series takes place, the final game. It just doesn’t happen.”

Ellerbe referred to De La Hoya as “that other idiot” and claimed their promotional team was lying about the Canelo fight’s being sold out.

“Jealousy is a terrible thing. Move on,” Ellerbe said. “Why are so worried about Floyd Mayweather?”

Mayweather said he believes his bout with McGregor will sell out even though it hasn’t reached the mark with two weeks remaining.

He also took time out in the presser to apologize for using a gay slur to insult McGregor during their press stop in London. He refused to comment on McGregor’s wearing a C.J. Watson jersey, a barb that not-so-subtly referenced Mayweather’s ex-girlfriend.

“I don’t know anything about any jerseys,” Mayweather said. “Anyone can wear whatever they want.”

McGregor will hold his version of an open workout and press conference Friday. 

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Conor McGregor’s Former Sparring Partner Willing to Train Fighter for Cash

Chris van Heerden, the former sparring partner of Conor McGregor, said he would be willing to return and spar with the UFC star ahead of his bout against Floyd Mayweather this month—for a price. 
Van Heerden spoke with TMZ Sports on Friday a…

Chris van Heerden, the former sparring partner of Conor McGregor, said he would be willing to return and spar with the UFC star ahead of his bout against Floyd Mayweather this month—for a price. 

Van Heerden spoke with TMZ Sports on Friday and said he sympathized with former McGregor sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi but would return for a sparring match if paid.

“If he pays me, I’ll go beat him up. The first time I helped him out of a good heart…I didn’t ask him for anything. [I sparred] for free. And then they done me bad. If they want me back, they better pay me.”

Van Heerden split with McGregor’s camp last year after he leaked full video of a sparring session that had previously been made to look McGregor look favorable. 

Malignaggi, who had been sparring with McGregor ahead of his prizefight with Mayweather, quit Thursday amid a similar disagreement with the fighter’s camp. A still depicting McGregor knocking down Malignaggi leaked earlier this week, which incensed the now-retired boxer.

“I wanted to be part of this event, but I didn’t want to become the story, and that’s what this has turned into,” Malignaggi told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “I won’t release any information about his game plan or what he’s working on; I wouldn’t do that. But this has become a fiasco. It’s a circus.

“And I do want that sparring video released. The UFC’s PI definitely has that video. I understand it can’t come out now, but Conor, if you have any balls, release what really happened.”

Malignaggi the supposed knockdown was actually a pushdown but said he and McGregor have a “mutual respect” inside the ring.

“There was a pushdown yesterday,” Malignaggi said of the sparring session. “Conor on the inside, he can get a little rough. He shoved me down, you know, but no knockdowns. Obviously, 12 rounds, you’re gonna see there’s a mark on my face. Very, very hard work for both of us. I was starting to get in a groove in the middle rounds, starting to land some good shots. Conor really came on strong in the end. It was back and forth.”

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