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Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and mixed martial arts Conor McGregor faceoff. |
Floyd Mayweather has vowed to quit boxing once and for all after he
emerges from retirement for next month's cross-combat showdown with Conor
McGregor.
The 40-year-old former welterweight king, who retired with a perfect
49-0 record in 2015, said Tuesday there was no chance of him fighting again after
he climbs into the ring with mixed martial arts star McGregor.
The two men are to face each other at Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena on
August 26 in what could become the richest bout in boxing history.
Mayweather, who has already made an estimated $700 million during his
two-decade career, is set for another eye-watering payday against brash UFC
star McGregor.
But irrespective of the result next month, Mayweather says he has
already decided it will be his last fight.
"I'm not the same fighter I was 21 years ago. I'm not the same
fighter I was 10 years ago. I'm not even the same fighter I was two years
ago," Mayweather told reporters at the Staples Center.
Mayweather said he had discussed his plans to quit for good at a meeting
with advisor Al Haymon earlier Tuesday.
"I spoke to Al and told him. Today we had a meeting,"
Mayweather said. "I can't push my body, it's gruelling. Training camp is
gruelling. I can't do it anymore. Training camp is rough. It has to be my last
one.
"After taking a couple of years off I was okay. But then we ended
up somehow making this fight happen. "Now I really know that this is it.
Deep in my heart I know this is it."
- 'Tough competitor' -
The build-up to Tuesday's event saw Mayweather face headlines that he
has filed for an extension to pay his 2015 tax bill.
However he brushed off questions about his finances when asked.
"We ain't trippin' on that," he responded.
For boxing purists, Mayweather risks blemishing an otherwise perfect
record with a tawdry final episode that has been disparaged as a cynical
circus-like stunt.
Mayweather however waved away suggestions that if he was to win, and
retire with a 50-0 record, there would be an asterisk against his last fight.
"The last time I checked he's still a professional fighter,"
Mayweather said of his lightly-regarded opponent. "He's a stand-up
fighter. He never took a loss fighting straight up. I can't overlook that,
because one shot can end your whole career. He's a tough competitor but it is
what it is."
Mayweather forged his 49-0 record on the back of phenomenal speed and
defensive reflexes, often being criticised for his unwillingness to go to
toe-to-toe with opponents.
Another boxing masterclass could well be in store for McGregor, but
Mayweather is unfazed by the possibility that the Irish brawler may deploy
mixed martial arts tactics if he struggles to lay a glove on the American.
"That's the referee's job," Mayweather said. "My job is
to go out there and be a boxer, be a fighter. I'm pretty sure the referee's
going to be fair and fun.
"I'll leave all that up to the referee. My job is to go out there
and fight against the guy that's across from me.
"The fans demanded the fight. McGregor
wanted this fight, I wanted this fight. August 26, it's going to be blood sweat
and tears from the opening bell."
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