They Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor World Press Tour kicked off Tuesday, and while it had it’s talking points, the first stop was somewhat underwhelming.
The event at Staples Center in Los Angeles was well attended and, as Dana White had predicted, followed a slightly different format than a typical UFC conference. Rather than having everybody on stage and getting right to questions, a more formal approach was taken.
Showtime presented the press conference as an event on its own with Mauro Ranallo, Paulie Malignaggi, and Brendan Schaub speaking to the at-home audience to set the stage for the fight and the presser. The three spoke for over 15 minutes before a musical performance by Aloe Blac kicked things off on stage. Thirty minutes after the broadcast began, Mayweather and McGregor were then brought out through the crowd for a staredown.
The initial staredown had both men several feet apart. Mayweather was wearing a stars and stripes themed TMT sweat suit and McGregor was decked out in a pinstripe suit with the words “f— you” being used in place of the stripes. Mayweather stood stone-faced while McGregor bounced and bobbed his head while smacking on some gum.
As for quotables from the presser, there were a few, but hopefully both combatants are saving their best material to last through the week.
McGregor echoed what he had previously told Dana White – that he plans to knock Mayweather out within four rounds. He also started to lay the groundwork for an explanation should he come up short on Aug. 26. “This isn’t a true fight,” McGregor said. “If this was a true fight, it wouldn’t take one round.”
McGregor also threw a jab at “Money” Mayweather’s choice of attire for the event. “He’s in a f–king track suit,” he said. “He can’t even afford a suit anymore,” also alluding to Mayweather’s recent issues with the IRS.
Mayweather retorted as only he can, referencing what he sees as a disparity between the two men’s wealth. “He looks good for a seven-figure fighter; he looks good for an eight-figure fighter; but motherf–ker, I’m a nine-figure fighter,” Mayweather said.
A final, extended staredown, this time with the two a little closer together concluded the press conference. Both men jabbered back and forth while surrounded by cameras and their respective entourages.
The press tour continues today at 5:30 p.m. ET from Toronto. (LINK)
Hiscoe’s Analysis: They have three more of these to get through. So while there were no major fireworks at the event, they really need to hold back a bit. Knowing McGregor, he likely has the whole thing mapped out and I would expect something notable to happen on Wednesday or Thursday to lead to the big Wembley Stadium event on Friday.
WEDNESDAY NOTEBOOK ITEMS…
-Ticket prices have been set for the Mayweather-McGregor fight now that they have secured the T-Mobile Arena for the event from Ice-T’s Big 3 basketball league. Tickets go on sale July 24, and the lowest price to get in is $500. After that, prices will be $1,500, $2,500, $3,500, $5,000, $7,500, and peaking at $10,000 for ringside seats. The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight did a live gate of over $72 million, and with these prices, a sellout looks to garner a live gate north of $80 million.
-Two fighters received UFC contracts on the debut episode of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. Boston Salmon and Kurt Holobaugh both impressed White enough with their wins to get a shot in UFC. Check out my recap of the show HERE.
-Saturday’s UFC 213 prelims averaged 657,000 viewers on Fox Sports 1. The Friday night “Ultimate Fighter Finale” averaged 724,000 viewers.
-Speaking to reporters at yesterday’s press conference, Dana White said that he doesn’t know if Conor McGregor will fight in UFC again. “I had a bunch of guys who worked for us in the UFC and made a bunch of money and they’re gone now. You know? You just don’t know, if he’s going to come in and make this kind of money, he might never fight again,” White said. (SOURCE)
-Bellator Middleweight Champion Rafael Carvalho will fight Alessio Sakara on Dec. 9 in Florence, Italy.
NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S UPDATE: TUESDAY NEWS DIGEST 7/11: Gegard Mousasi jumps to Bellator and sets some goals + Mayweather-McGregor, Werdum, Sonnen, Nunes (w/Analysis)
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