Tag Archives: media
Floyd Mayweather Media Call: “This Is My Last One”
By: Sean Crose
“This is my last one, ladies and gentleman.”
Photo Credit: USA Today
So said Floyd Mayweather during a Thursday call to promote his August 26th superfight against UFC superstar Conor McGregor. “I gave my word to Al Haymon,” he added, “I gave my word to my children…I’m going to stick to my word.” At least some on the call (it seemed like more) didn’t appear to want to talk about the fight itself. Floyd’s legacy, for instance, was important to one of the reporters who spoke. Racism, not surprisingly, is what obviously interested the caller from the New York Times. Floyd, however, remained the same laid back guy he has largely been with the media in recent years.
“I haven’t had time to focus on anything but this event,” he claimed, which anyone who has closely followed Mayweather knows is most likely true. Yet Mayweather also made it clear that he was as serenely confident as ever. “I’m not really worried about the outcome,” he said, referring to the match itself. Floyd, however, was still Floyd, no matter how over the hill he wants to come across to the media these days. When asked about his early struggle to make it as a star, for instance, the 49-0 slickster suddenly came alive.
“Floyd Mayweather has never been struggling,” he asserted. “Me and (boxing guru) Al Haymon joined forces.” When asked about the notorious Paulie Malignaggi – Conor McGregor sparring session the public has seen clips of, Mayweather also made it clear that he found McGreggor to be a dirty fighter. “A lot of shots were illegal,” he noted. When queried as to whether he was worried about McGregor fighting dirty when they meet in the ring, though, Mayweather stated that he’s “pretty sure the referee is going to be fair on both sides.”
Truth be told, Mayweather is always interesting to listen to speak. Love him or hate him, he’s an fascinating individual. If McGregor rides on overdrive with the media, Mayweather likes to sprinkle his talks with interesting asides. For every boast (“My real estate portfolio is truly amazing.”) there’s something telling about the man that’s offered. Like the fact that he refuses to watch his own fights. “When I look at them,” Mayweather said, “I’m like I could have done this better I could have done that better.” There’s also his interesting take on Rocky Marciano, the man whose 49-0 record most assume Mayweather will best in a week from Saturday.
“Rocky Marciano is a legend,” he claimed. “Rocky Marciano did it his way. I just want to do it the Mayweather way.”
One interesting side note:
No one – not a single person – asked Mayweather why he chose a man who has never had a boxing match in his life as his supposed last opponent. Perhaps those who spoke already had asked that question previously. Or perhaps those who were allowed to ask questions didn’t think it was important.
Or perhaps they simply didn’t want to hear the answer.
More Full Coverage: Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor
McGregor: “In My Mind It’s An Easy Fight.”
By: Sean Crose
“In my mind,” Conor McGregor told a throng of journalists at Friday’s media workout, “it’s an easy fight.” Perhaps he was telling the truth. Swaggering around the UFC training center in Las Vegas, the man certainly seemed confident – or at least desperate to appear confident. That was nothing new to those MMA fans who have followed the Irishman’s meteoric rise. Indeed, whether he’s preparing for the ring or the octagon, McGregor makes one wonder if he’s actually masking some deep insecurity with all his bluster. No matter. He’s proven wildly successful in the UFC and now that success – coupled with his over the top personality – has led to a lucrative novelty boxing match with 49-0 Floyd Mayweather.
It was clear during the proceedings that McGregor is one of those people who always positions himself to have the upper hand…or at least to appear to. When asked why he refused help from boxing wunderkind Vasyl Lomachenko, for instance, the Irishman was flip and dismissive. “He needs to challenge himself,” McGregor said. “He’s pretty skilled…but he’s not applicable for this camp.” Sure enough, McGregor seemed equally dismissive of the sport of boxing. “I’m from a different game,” he quipped. “I’m from a more ruthless game.” The UFC star also stated his belief that boxing referees keep the combatants from complete destruction. Referring to mixed martial arts, he claimed that “there’s no wincing to the ref.”
There is, however, tapping out, something McGregor did less than a year and a half ago during a major fight with Nate Diaz. None of the reporters gathered, however, seemed to bring that fact up – at least not at the moment. Mayweather was certainly brought it up, however. Yet McGregor wanted the world to know that he didn’t fear the legendary fighter at all. “If we go eight ounces,” McGregor claimed in reference to glove size, “he’s not going two rounds.”
Make no mistake about it, McGregor acts more like a WWE star than a professional boxer – or even a professional mixed martial artists. “It’s okay to love me as much as I love me,” he told those gathered around. “It’s okay. Let it go.” Although most analysts aren’t giving McGregor a real chance against Mayweather, the man is certainly talking a good game. Arguing that boxing has been consisting of the “same boring shit,” MMA’s wild child went on to add on Friday that he will “rule over both (sports) with an iron fist.”
McGregor’s public workout, however left some puzzled. In fact, some boxing journalists took to openly mocking the man on Twitter afterwards. And in truth, watching the bearded red head prance around a ring was a sight which bordered on the comical. Who knows, though? Perhaps McGregor truly will surprise everyone (without the benefit of a gift decision).
Perhaps.
More Full Coverage: Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor
Mayweather: “I’m not going to get involved…if I think I’m going to take a loss.”
By: Sean Crose
“I’m not going to get involved in anything if I think I’m going to take a loss.”
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Showtime
So said Floyd Mayweather at Thursday’s Media Day at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas. The event was, of course, to help Mayweather promote his fight with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Mayweather held court as always. Indeed, the man seemed to revert to the more laid back demeanor he’d been showcasing over the last several years. Gone was the ugly trash talk of the endless press tour. This Mayweather, the one who acts like a professional and an adult, spoke of helping young fighters, of training and of aging. “I think it’s more rest,” he said, referring to training in his forties. “I can train two or three days, but let the body rest a couple of days.”
The 49-0 pound for pound great also spoke of his public persona. “I decided to go to the other side,” he claimed, referring to the fact that he chose not to portray himself as an all American hero. Indeed, Mayweather was to point out Thursday that McGregor himself has been taking a page out of the Mayweather playbook, a point that’s hard to argue, as the Irishman loves to present himself as a materialistic villain. Mayweather, however, also made it clear that he wasn’t taking the mixed martial artist lightly. “I can’t overlook any opponent,” he said. Sure enough, Mayweather later claimed he’s been studying his foe in preparation for their August 26th throwdown. “Even right now,” he said, “I know how much Conor McGregor’s down to – his weight.”
A very overlooked aspect of Mayweather is the fact that he’s one of the smartest athletes in the world. Illiteracy rumors aside, the man knows everything he needs to in order to be successful. A study of the man in interview’s like Thursday’s shows someone who is quick and funny when need be – but also deliberate and willfully cool under pressure. Not just anyone can possess such traits. Which, of course, brings us back to the comment about avoiding anything that will lead to a loss. Was Mayweather giving away the show? Was it a rare slip? Or perhaps something more? “I’m going to tell the people what I truly believe,” he said after his notable statement.
Indeed.
Whether he thinks he stands a chance of losing or not, however, Maywether made sure to try to sell what many believe will be a one sided fight. “A fighter’s a fighter,” he said of McGregor. “We’re both confident in our skills. We’ll just have to see.” The man said something else rather telling during the course of the Q@A. Asked what he would think if the fight went twelve rounds, Mayweather made it clear it would reflect poorly. “It is a victory for him,” he said, referring to the possibility of McGregor going the distance. We’ll see if Mayweather says the same thing after the fight. The guy has a knack of winning by decision, after all. “August 26th, after the fight is over, everybody’s going to be happy,” he said.
That may or may not be true. There are two individuals out there, though, who are definitely going to be rich.
