Mayweather, McGregor press tour kicks off with a war of words
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[July 12, 2017]
By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Undefeated
boxer Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor
McGregor traded barbs during a lively press conference in Los
Angeles on Tuesday, delighting a rowdy crowd ahead of their Aug. 26
fight in Las Vegas.
The media conference was the first in a four-day international tour
promoting the bout.
The contrasts between the two was immediately apparent as McGregor,
wearing a navy pinstriped suit and tie, danced around the stage
smiling while Mayweather, wearing a track suit with American flag
details, looked on stonefaced.
As is expected in the bout, McGregor was the aggressor, wasting no
time bringing up reports that Mayweather earlier this month asked
the IRS for more time to pay his 2015 tax bill.
"He's in a track suit," McGregor told the crowd of more than 11,000
people, who largely cheered the Irishman and booed the American. "He
can't even afford a suit anymore."
Later when Mayweather, whose nickname is "Money" and who frequently
uses cash as a prop, pulled out a $100 million cheque on stage,
McGregor told him to "give it to the taxman".
When asked about the tax issue, Mayweather said his attorneys were
working on it and did not worry him.
"I just showed you all a $100 million cheque that I haven't even
cashed yet, so we ain't tripping on that," he told reporters.
The cheque appeared to be the $100 million he earned for his victory
over Manny Pacquiao two years ago.
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Boxer Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor
McGregor square off. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Mayweather was more subdued than the fiery
28-year-old, reminding reporters that even though he is a heavy
favorite, he is 40 years old and that anything can happen in a
fight.
He said he expected McGregor, who has never fought a professional
boxing match, to try to pummel the defensive-minded Mayweather, who
is putting his perfect 49-0 record on the line.
"He's upset, I've seen it before," Mayweather said. "And when these
fighters get upset with me they come out and they try to kill me,"
he said with a laugh.
"My job is to do what I do and keep my composure."
The crossover fight has been criticized as a publicity stunt by
boxing purists who give McGregor no chance.
But UFC president Dana White said the fight is one that fans of both
sports have wanted.
"When two guys get in there and start throwing punches, anything is
possible," White said.
"If you are a fan of combat sports, there has never been a better
time."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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