Mueez Ajao
– Floyd Mayweather has confirmed a 2023 rematch with Conor McGregor is in the pipeline and said that the highly-anticipated rematch could be a professional fight.
– It has been nearly five years since Mayweather and McGregor combined for a mega crossover fight in Las Vegas back in August 2017, with ‘Money’ teaching the UFC superstar a boxing lesson by securing a tenth round TKO victory.
– Mayweather has now revealed that he is in final negotiations with McGregor over the terms of a 2023 rematch.
Also Read: Mayweather to return for exhibition bout with YouTuber Logan Paul
– Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, Mayweather discussed his plans for the rest of the year and went into details about facing McGregor again.
– Mayweather said: ‘I want to go out there this weekend and have fun [against Mikuru Asakura]. Then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
– ‘We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition or a real fight. But there’s been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition.’
– When asked why he would prefer an exhibition, Mayweather said: ‘I am not into fights where I am going to take any real punishment.
– ‘So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don’t really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don’t really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals but nothing where I am going to put myself in a position where I am going to harm myself or hurt myself.’
– Mayweather’s clash with the Notorious proved to be his last professional fight, taking his record to 50 wins and zero losses or draws.
– Mayweather – who insists he wouldn’t change a single thing about his career – reportedly earned around $280million from the blockbuster bout.
– Meanwhile, McGregor took home a reported $130m from what was his first and only boxing fight.
– Since then, McGregor suffered three defeats in his last four UFC bouts. He has also taken some time away from the Octagon after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier.
– Nevertheless, McGregor confirmed his desire to return to boxing while attending the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.
– He told Sky Sports: ‘Boxing is my first love in combat sports. I had such a great time the last time I was out there.
– ‘Obviously, my return will be in the octagon for UFC – that story is far from over, in fact it’s just being written, it is just the beginning. But, boxing, for sure I will grace the squared circle again in the future.’
– Meanwhile, Mayweather will return to action this weekend when he faces MMA fighter Asakura in an exhibition bout in Japan.
