Conor McGregor insisted that he will ‘flatten’ Floyd Mayweather inside two rounds when the pair meet in their eagerly-anticipated showdown this Sunday.
The 29-year old, who is a two-weight UFC champion, was confident that he will defeat Mayweather at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but hopes the undefeated pound-for-pound star proceeds with his claims to meet the Irishman in the centre of the ring.
“Respect for me is earned through battle,” McGregor said, “If he stands in there and speaks his word of what he’s been saying, if he can get in there and implement these and come forward and give the fight he’s been talking about, he will have my respect.”
McGregor was buoyed by the news last Wednesday that the Nevada State Athletic Commission had granted requests by the fighters to wear 8oz gloves instead of the standard 10oz for the 154lbs division. The Irishman will be making his professional boxing debut but is confident the 8oz gloves will play to his strengths
As a result, the Crumlin-born fighter – who is accustomed to wearing 4oz gloves in the UFC – believes Mayweather will struggle to make it out of the second round. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I go out there and flatten him in the first exchange, I don’t see him lasting two rounds in these 8oz gloves,” he added.
“Part of me wants to showcase a little more, we’ll see, I don’t believe he will last two rounds – believe he will be unconscious before then,” McGregor said.
