Boxing superstar, Katie Taylor, has heaped praise on “complete gentlemen” Conor McGregor who she believes doesn’t get enough credit in his native Ireland.
‘Notorious’ is the biggest star MMA has ever seen but over the years he has become a divisive figure due to his antics outside of the Octagon. The 33-year-old has found himself in legal trouble on a few occasions and has also crossed the line with his trash talk several times.
Katie Taylor Compares Conor McGregor To Muhammad Ali
Despite that, Taylor insists McGregor should be celebrated in Ireland as she believes he is the closest thing MMA has to Muhammad Ali.
“I messaged him after the Dustin Poirier fight, just to offer some words of encouragement really,’ Taylor told the MMA Hour. “He’s always been a fantastic support to me, but I think he’s just someone who’s actually transcended the sport. He’s like, for me, the Muhammad Ali of the UFC.
“He’s just a fantastic athlete. A great businessman as well,” Taylor added. “But what he’s done in the sport and the UFC has been absolutely incredible, and I don’t think he’s celebrated as much as he should be here in Ireland. I think he is an absolute global superstar and just a phenomenal athlete, and he’s always been a complete gentleman towards me.”
“But I’m looking at him as just a phenomenal athlete, and someone who I generally think has transcended the sport, someone who’s become bigger than the sport. Nearly every time he does fight, it’s an absolute huge event. He still gets the highest number of pay-per-view figures and he’s still the highest-paid athlete in the UFC. I just look at him as just an outstanding athlete, and I can’t wait to see him come back.” (Transcribed by Daily Mail)
Do you agree with Katie Taylor? Is Conor McGregor somewhat underappreciated?