Floyd Mayweather Jr. counters Conor McGregor's money demands

[Ruthless-RKO]

Floyd Mayweather responded to Conor McGregor's most recent demand of a $100 million purse for a boxing match with a counter offer: $15 million and a cut of the pay-per-view.

Mayweather, the retired boxing champion who turns 40 in February, was a guest Wednesday on ESPN's First Take and challenged both McGregor and the UFC to close the deal.

"You guys keep hearing all these different rumors about different fighters want to face Floyd Mayweather," he said. "Everybody keeps talking about Conor McGregor. He's blowing smoke up everybody's a--. Dana White, the UFC -- let's make it happen. Bring him over to the boxing world, and I'll show him what it's like."

"We tried to make the Conor McGregor fight," Mayweather said. "They know what my number is. My number is a guaranteed $100 million. That was my number."

"We are willing to give him $15 million and then we can talk about splitting the percentage -- the back end -- on the pay-per-view. But of course, we're the 'A side.' How can a guy talk about making 20 or 30 million if he has never made 8 or 9 million in a fight."

McGregor holds the UFC record for the richest disclosed purse when he made $3 million (not counting pay-per-view bonuses) for his UFC 202 victory in August over Nate Diaz in their rematch. His UFC 205 purse from his victory over Eddie Alvarez, becoming the first UFC fighter to hold titles in separate weight classes simultaneously, remains undisclosed. Ronda Rousey equaled McGregor's UFC mark of $3 million for her Dec. 30 loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.

Mayweather talked of how comfortable he is in retirement, spending much of his focus on his promotional company. But despite making upwards of $300 million for his 2015 victory over Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather say he isn't interested in a rematch.

"Only thing I'm probably interested in is the Conor McGregor fight," Mayweather said. "I'm a businessman, and it makes business sense. I believe in what me and [adviser] Al Haymon talk about every day -- I believe in working smarter, not harder."

[Impractical Poster]

Ain't going to happen. Mayweather won't consider getting embarrassed inside a cage for less than 100 mil. And Conor might consider getting embarrassed in a boxing ring for 50 mil... even though he's trying to get 100. I can't see Conor turning down anything over 50 at this stage of his career. I can definitely see him passing up 15 though.

[gilgamesh]

Ain't going to happen. Mayweather won't consider getting embarrassed inside a cage for less than 100 mil. And Conor might consider getting embarrassed in a boxing ring for 50 mil... even though he's trying to get 100. I can't see Conor turning down anything over 50 at this stage of his career. I can definitely see him passing up 15 though.

It wouldn't be in a cage. It'd a Boxing match or it wouldn't take place at all. Floyd doesn't ever want to lose as a fighter so he'll never fight in a UFC cage.

[Impractical Poster]

Ain't going to happen. Mayweather won't consider getting embarrassed inside a cage for less than 100 mil. And Conor might consider getting embarrassed in a boxing ring for 50 mil... even though he's trying to get 100. I can't see Conor turning down anything over 50 at this stage of his career. I can definitely see him passing up 15 though.

It wouldn't be in a cage. It'd a Boxing match or it wouldn't take place at all. Floyd doesn't ever want to lose as a fighter so he'll never fight in a UFC cage.

True. Hard to imagine anyone turning down a guaranteed 100 mil payday though. But Floyd is accustomed to big money I spose. Conor, on the other hand, is not accustomed to that type of money.

[sharpei_louis]

If the offer is a genuine $15m and a cut of pay per view, McGregor can't make that money full stop anywhere else IMO, and the only reason for turning that down would be because he's not a boxer.

[magwitch]

I’d take it if I was McGregor. If loses he’s got two good excuses. And he would lose, make no mistake about it. Make hay while the sun shines.

[Badhusker]

$15 million plus PPV share is better than what GB offered GGG to fight Canelo if I remember right. McGregor should take it if he wants to box Floyd. Like others have said, Floyd isn't going inside a cage for any money. Khan may be stupid enough to do it though. He has even tossed around the idea of doing some UFC.

[caldo2025]

McGregor is an idiot if he doesn't bite and take this fight. I know, I know...there's the UFC contract hurdle and Dana White but how can he not take it? Forget about the fact that he'll make enough money to set him and his family up for life, he'd take part in one of the most epic combat sports event in history. There's been nothin to resemble this in history. And here's the best part, no one expects him to win! If he goes out and has a few nice moments then that's a win. But no one with a brain thinks he'd win a boxing match against Floyd. Then there's that old saying "a punchers chance" and anything can happen when the right punch lands.

Just do it Conor.

[Ricky_]

With the exception of Oscar and Pacman, who were bigger draws than Floyd anyway, how many fighters have made more than $15m fighting Floyd? Cotto maybe?

I think McGegor deserves more than $15m, as this bout generates more than enough revenue to justify paying him a fairer share of the draw he will bring, but $15m is also pretty much top level money in the fight game. Only the legitimately legendary fighters have earned more for a single fight; Oscar/Floyd/Ali/Tyson etc.

[littlepug]

hopefully this happens, the bookies get fooled and we all clean up

[boxingknockout]

I have absolutely no idea why anyone would consider mac Gregor to have a chance in a boxing ring. At best it's like putting in a decent state amateur in.

I think Mayweather would outclass and stop Conor quite early.

[darkstar81]

Mayweather stops Mcgregor easy.

But Conor should totally go for it! It's a no lose situation and he makes a ton of money.

[darkstar81]

No way I'd pay to watch it though.

[Nightmare Roy]

madness as Steve Bunce said "there are 3 thousand welterweights in the world and over 2,500 would beat Connor.

[mullenman]

madness as Steve Bunce said "there are 3 thousand welterweights in the world and over 2,500 would beat Connor.

Yet again I don't believe what bunce says

King conor has a knockout real from punches that Tyson Ali etc would be proud of

[Lackeos]

I wish people would shut the f*ck up about fights that aren't going to happen.

[montrealsuper]

Fraudweather doesn't want the fight. He's trying to bid his way out. MacGregor would verbally humiliate Phloyd and make him look like the jackass he is. The verbal humiliation would be worse than anything Floyd ever did to anyone in the ring. MacGregor would literally destroy Floyd as a man with his mouth and his words. Phloyd knows this and knows he can't match wits with Conor MacGregor.

[Oiky]

Don't think it'll ever happen