One of Conor McGregor’s biggest complaints about his upcoming bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr could be no more.
During the world tour to promote the August 26 boxing match in Las Vegas, McGregor called out Mayweather on his refusal to wear gloves any lighter than 10-ounce.
During the Los Angeles leg of the tour, the following exchange took place:
Mayweather: “If you want 8 ounce gloves, let’s put 8 ounce gloves on,” shouted the boxer. “If you want 4 ounce gloves, let’s put 4 ounce gloves on.”
McGregor: “Give me 4 ounce gloves then.”
‘The Notorious’ told reporters, in Brooklyn, two days later, that Mayweather had agreed to fight at 154lbs in order to secure the 10oz gloves stipulation. All that could be about to change, however.
Mayweather has taken to Instagram to make his opponent a very interesting offer. He wrote:
‘Don’t believe what you hear in the media. Don’t believe what you hear on blog sites. If it’s not coming directly from me, then it’s not true.
‘I’m telling McGregor, “Let’s fight in 8 oz gloves”.
‘McGregor can fight in any brand he prefers or chooses. I’ll be wearing 8 oz Grant gloves.
‘Whatever advantage McGregor needs to feel more comfortable in the ring, I’m willing to accommodate. Let’s give the boxing and MMA fans what they want to see.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXRKvU1gdsn/?hl=en&taken-by=floydmayweather
The ball now appears to be in the court of Team McGregor.
8oz gloves are still a sight bigger, and have more padding, than MMA gloves [4oz] but they may suit the Dubliner more. This could be another bout of mind games ahead of the fight, of course, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission would also have to be consulted on any changes to the fight stipulations.
It will be intriguing to see how McGregor responds to the seemingly genuine offer.
