Mayweather Takes Credit For Crossover Fights

Floyd Mayweather looked back at his fight with Conor McGregor in 2017, saying it was a landmark event.

Mayweather managed to put on a record-breaking event in a PPV that sold over 4 million buys across the globe. Mayweather went 50-0 to retain his undefeated record by stopping McGregor in the 10th round. Reports indicated he walked away with over $300 million for the fight, while McGregor picked up $100 million. It was an astonishing amount since he was not facing a professional boxer. 

“The pairing of Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor brought together two very significant and distinct global fan bases in one truly unprecedented event. The remarkable results are all the more impressive considering that the planning, marketing and execution took place across a span of just 72 days from the initial announcement to fight night. Together Showtime and Mayweather have now accounted for the three highest grossing pay-per-view events of all time,” Stephen Espinoza said

Mayweather Vs. McGregor

McGregor earned plaudits by managing to hang in with Mayweather for so long. But there were suggestions that Mayweather may have been carrying McGregor to make it more of an even spectacle. That fight ultimately opened up the floodgates for other combat sports fighters to do crossover bouts. Francis Ngannou made his boxing debut in 2023 when he faced Tyson Fury.  He suffered a split decision loss.

However, the performance won him many plaudits, as Ngannou earned a top 10 ranking within the WBC. He also managed to secure the Anthony Joshua fight. Although Joshua knocked out Ngannou in the second round, the Fury and Joshua fights earned him a reported $30 million combined. That was the highest amount he had earned, more than his entire UFC career. Other fighters such as Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal have also boxed each other. Meanwhile, Jake Paul has also boxed MMA fighters such as Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren. Mayweather felt that his fight with McGregor was the one which deviated from the norm, allowing others to take those risks.

Mayweather Reacts

“Me and Canelo were able to you know lock up and do record-breaking numbers. And then I think that Conor McGregor was good, just—when we broke the move where we said, you know, that MMA and boxing, really can come together. And that opened a floodgate for the Youtubers and everybody to get involved in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said

There was speculation that there could have been a rematch. McGregor has consistently called for it, but it has not been possible, partly due to his fighting situation. The Irishman still has two fights left on his UFC deal, meaning the UFC must consent to any fight. McGregor has also not had a fight in combat sports since 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He suffered a broken leg, which has kept him out for a prolonged period of time. He was meant to have his comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. But The Notorious withdrew after breaking his toe. McGregor’s future is no clearer, as fans still wait to see whether he will make his MMA comeback. So for now, there is no chance of seeing a McGregor rematch with Mayweather.

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.