Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor made history in 2017 when the pair shared a boxing ring in what was described by many as ‘the biggest fight in combat history’, and speculation is mounting about a possible rematch later in 2019.
Mayweather went into the fight as the heavy favourite with the bookmakers and was able to stop the UFC star in the 10th round in to bring up his unbeaten streak to 50-0.
McGregor started the contest well as he held his own against one of the greatest boxers of his generation. He landed several strong punches in the early stages but the American was able to absorb them. Once the fight went into the second half, though, Mayweather’s class started to show, and he went in for the finish in the tenth round before referee Robert Byrd called it to a halt.
4 years ago wow ðŸ‡ðŸ‡ª pic.twitter.com/5NnJ4RZUFU
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2019
Since that light-middleweight (154 lb) showdown with Mayweather, McGregor has fought just once in the UFC in the lightweight division, which, as explained in the complete guide of the different UFC weight classes, is contested at 155 lbs. The Irishman lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov following a submission in the fourth round from a neck crank in what proved to be a controversial contest, as there were nasty scenes following the fight that led to both men picking up suspensions.
McGregor is keen for a return to boxing and has repeatedly called out Mayweather ever since his loss to the boxer. Given how much both men generated from the fight, with 100s of million dollars being reported, it would be no surprise if an agreement is made for a rematch in the near future.
Mayweather Fresh from Exhibition with Nasukawa
Floyd Mayweather makes $9 million in 139 seconds after easily defeating Tenshin Nasukawa with three knockdowns pic.twitter.com/wfyxtugfpU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2018
Mayweather’s latest appearance in a combat sport came in December last year when he travelled across to Japan to take on undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in a three-round boxing bout. The American wasted no time getting the job done as he stopped the Japanese superstar inside the opening round.
Since then, Mayweather has come out and said he is not interested in a rematch with McGregor, calling him ‘a clown’; however, he was the first to deny that any talks were going to take place with 'Notorious' before their first contest in 2017, so too much shouldn’t be read into that.
Mayweather is 42 years old now and although he is officially retired from boxing, he is still looking for challenges. A rematch with Manny Pacquiao has also been suggested as being possible. 'Money' dominated his showdown with the Philippine boxer in 2015, winning by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds. That contest took two years to be negotiated so don’t expect a deal to be agreed any time soon for a second instalment in their rivalry.
If the former three-weight world champion does decide not to return to the ring to compete himself, he will still be involved in the sport with his promotion company. Mayweather is keen to grow that with male and female boxers.
The lure of such a lucrative rematch with McGregor may be too hard to turn down for the man who likes to call himself ‘Money’ and although the result is unlikely to change in the boxing ring, it is sure to capture the public’s appeal just as much as their first contest.
