Showtime Executive Gives Insight Into Possible Mayweather-McGregor Rematch
The biggest fight thus far this year saw Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, on August 26, 2017. It was scheduled for 12 rounds.
Mayweather extended his professional boxing undefeated streak to (50–0) by defeating McGregor by technical knockout (TKO) in the 10th round.
This marked Mayweather’s retirement bout. In regards to McGregor, his options are still in tacked as he has two obvious fights that he could take next inside the Octagon.
He could fight Nate Diaz for the third time or make his first title defense as the lightweight champion against interim champion Tony Ferguson. UFC President Dana White has gone on record by stating that the UFC lightweight champion would fight Ferguson next.
With the bout being one of the biggest, most lucrative fights in the history of combat sports, there is naturally rumors that there could be a rematch.
TMZ Sports (transcript courtesy of MMA Fighting) recently caught up with Showtime Sports Executive Stephen Espinoza and asked him about it. Espinoza claimed that he hasn’t heard anything from Mayweather about re-unretiring for another fight with McGregor and that he doubts a rematch between the two ever materializes.
“I don’t think so,” said Espinoza. “Floyd seems pretty happy retired. I don’t think we’ll see him in the ring again, and it seems like the UFC really wants McGregor back in the cage. I doubt [it]. It’s Floyd’s call at some point, but I haven’t heard anything from him that makes it seem like he’s thinking about McGregor or anything else.”
Espinoza was asked to comment on the possibility because rumors have started anew after TMZ reported that people close to Mayweather say he’s considering a 51st fight. Espinoza admits that it could be tough for Mayweather to walk away from another $300 million fight.
“It is [tough to walk away from another $300 million] but at a certain point, 20 years in the sport, 22 years in the sport, at a certain point he’s given enough to the sport, so I don’t begrudge him wanting to retire.”
