Conor McGregor returning to boxing to face the legendary Manny Pacquiao appears to be more serious with every passing week, but his only other pugilistic opponent regards the meeting of two men he defeated as sloppy seconds.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. addressed the media ahead of Mayweather Promotions' Oct. 31 card, headlined by Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz, and bragged about how much money he made to shrug off some surprising early lands from mixed martial arts megastar McGregor to stop the Irishman in the tenth round on August 26, 2017.
“I just came back [out of retirement for McGregor] for a quick bank robbery, a quick heist,” Mayweather Jr. told USA Today.
Billed as the “Money Fight,” Mayweather-McGregor pulled 4.3 million pay-per-view buys, a live gate over $55.4 million and more than $600 million in total revenue.
Mayweather Jr. had an announced purse of $100 million but ended up making nearly three times as much. McGregor, meanwhile, was officially paid $30 million but ultimately reeled in almost $100 million.
If McGregor does indeed come back for more in 2021 against former eight-weight world titleholder and current WBA (Super) welterweight champ Pacquiao, the 50-0 Mayweather is adamant it will be a pale imitation, financially.
“[McGregor] is not going to get the money he got with me if he goes with Pacquiao,’’ Mayweather continued. “It’s not going to be as big. You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.’’
On the topic of his retirement, which has been undone multiple times in the past, Mayweather insisted he is indeed finished - unless an appealing exhibition fight is pitched.
'Money' was recently linked with an exhibition vs. YouTube star Logan Paul, but those talks have since died off.
“I’ve been walked away," said Mayweather. "No more fighting for me. That’s for the young guys.
“Why wouldn’t I be happy?’ I got all my five senses. God woke me up to see another day.
"My youngest daughter’s doing great in school. My son is doing his music. My other son is doing apparel. All my investments are doing great. You know, I’ve got fighters fighting on Halloween night. My career went great, and Mayweather Promotions is the best in the business.”