The Mayweather-McGregor (or MayMac, if you will) International Press Tour touched down in Toronto Wednesday evening, and the circus was in full swing for Canadian fight fans. After the on stage antics between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr., “Money” went backstage to speak to the media, and was surprisingly complimentary of his fiftieth opponent.
“I wanted this fight, he wanted this fight, of course it’s an opportunity for both sides” Mayweather told the press, with Cageside Press in attendance. He later summed up why his opponent was a suitable foe for his boxing comeback. “He’s a warrior. He’s a fighter” Mayweather said. “The only time he ever lost was when he was down on the ground. When he was on the canvas on the octagon. As far as standing up, he always fought good and looked tremendous.”
Mayweather also believes McGregor has a number of advantages over him. “Youth is on his size. Size is on his side. Reach is on his side” he observed. “Everything is leaning towards him. He’s active, I’ve been off. Everything really is leaning towards him. I’m inactive, he’s active.”
Still, few give McGregor much of a chance against one of boxing’s all-time greats. Mayweather is likely just building up his opponent here, because at the end of the day, he’s fighting a man with zero professional boxing fights.
The good news for fans is, at least Conor McGregor’s mic wasn’t cut Wednesday, which allowed him to verbally KO Mayweather in front of the crowd.
