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12th Jan 2017

Bob Arum believes McGregor v Mayweather is a ‘preposterous’ idea

"It is not a competitive match".

Tony Cuddihy

He made the claim in 2fm’s Game On on Wednesday night.

Promoter Bob Arum does not believe that a clash between UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather is a realistic prospect.

The pair have been at loggerheads in the press recently, despite the fact that Mayweather has offered the Dubliner $15m to meet him in the boxing ring.

Arum – Mayweather’s promoter for over a decade – insists that the American would wipe the floor with McGregor in a boxing match, although McGregor would dominate if the pair was to meet in the Octagon.

“It’s preposterous. Conor McGregor is probably the leading mixed martial arts professional, that’s a different sport from the sport of boxing,” Arum said.

“If Floyd fought McGregor under MMA rules, he would get wiped out by McGregor.

“McGregor in the ring with Floyd Mayweather or any other reasonably good professional would get destroyed in a boxing match.

“They’re two different sports and to talk about McGregor fighting Mayweather in a boxing ring is just talk, it is not a competitive match.”

Whatever about McGregor’s boxing prowess, Arum pointed out that he is still under contract to the UFC and would need their approval to fight Mayweather.

“As I understand it, McGregor is under contract to the UFC and therefore any kind of arrangement he makes for a boxing match has to be subject to the approval of UFC and they have to be part of the promotion.

“What you’re hearing from Mayweather and McGregor is just talk, it’s just chatter. It keeps both of their names out there and there’s really nothing very serious to contemplate.

“We can enjoy the repartee between the two of them, but they are not getting into a boxing ring and fighting because UFC would not allow it.”