Both Floyd Mayweather Jr and the UFC’s Conor McGregor have done a fantastic job of capturing worldwide attention, even if some of it might be negative as we head towards their super fight on August 26.
As expected with the outspoken figures, they took the trash talk to a new level as their social media taunts quickly turned into aggressive verbal battles when they embarked on a four-city press tour in Los Angeles, Toronto, Brooklyn and London.
SUPER FIGHT
Considering what both men have been saying, you wouldn’t be blamed for assuming that the Notorious absolutely despises the 49-0 American and will stop at nothing to ensure he dents his impeccable record in what could arguably be the greatest sporting upset in history.
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However, while the second part might be true, the Irishman might not actually hate the American as he’s made it look like in the media.
According to former UFC strawweight and SBG Ireland team member Aisling Daly, McGregor is supposedly a big fan of Mayweather and has even shown her videos of Mayweather to teach them some of his techniques when they were sparring.
BIG FAN?
Speaking to BB5 5 Live via Mail Sport, she said: “He’s always been a massive Mayweather fan.
“He’d be coaching, showing us punch combinations and videos and he showed us the Mayweather pull-counter
“Now, he’s in a position where one of his idols is his rival. Knowing Conor, he will believe he is his equal. What you see on TV is just an amplified version of Conor.
“He has a genuine self-belief you can’t teach. He believes himself to a point where eventually it manifests.”
Although the two will be throwing it down in the T-Mobile Arena in under 10 days, it’s clear to see that McGregor has taken some inspiration from Mayweather and his antics over the years.
The outlandish outfits, the outspoken nature, the flashy cars and their love of ‘cheese’ has drawn plenty of similarities – and it’s why Mayweather believes the UFC lightweight champion has stolen the Mayweather blueprint on how to promote fights.
He’s remained vocal about that ever since talks of a super fight first emerged, and brought it up again last week during a media session at his gym.
He said: “He stole my blueprint and ran with it. But it’s right, I like it.
“I’ve been doing the mink coats and the flashiness. That was years ago. He’s cool.”
It’s no secret that Mayweather toned it down over the last few years, while McGregor is probably making sure that there’s at least one Mayweather-style fighter around in the world of combat sports.
Although, it’s a good job this wasn’t revealed in the build-up to the press tour.
What do you make of Conor McGregor apparently being a huge Floyd Mayweather fan? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.
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