Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) star Conor McGregor has hinted that his much-anticipated boxing debut against undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather is likely to happen in September 2017, contrary to the latter's reported interest for the fight in June.
The UFC lightweight champion (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who has taken a long break after he defeated Eddie Alvarez to clinch the title at UFC 205 in November 2016, revealed the possible date while he was cheering for fellow Irishman Michael Conlan during a boxing match at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday night. Notably, the 28-year-old is expecting the birth of his first child in April, after which he is expected to train for the big clash.
Mayweather, who has a 49-0 record in his professional boxing career, had reportedly told earlier this month that he has come out of retirement and that he did not want to waste time but get the fight done in June.
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The 40-year-old though had earlier maintained that he was willing to come out of retirement and take on the UFC champion only if he will be paid $100m. Notably, the boxing legend last defeated Andre Berto in September 2015 to end his 16-year-old career with an unbeaten record.
Petrified Mayweather
After having a dream year in 2016, in which he won titles in two different UFC divisions, McGregor has been persistent about settling the revenue issues and getting the fight against Mayweather happen in 2017. The Dubliner has also said that he is ready to shock the boxing legend, who is "petrified" to even see him.
"September is what I'm thinking. That's what the word is. That's what we're close to doing. I have tried to talk to Floyd. I flew to Las Vegas to have talks with Floyd and then he retired," McGregor said, as quoted by the MMAMania.
"He just does not want to see me. He is petrified. Would not you be? No one knows what to expect with me, and they should not. Because I do not know what to expect either.
"I am ready to box. I have been ready for a long time. The game is going to be in shock when I step in the ring. Trust me on that."
