CONOR McGREGOR IS currently preparing for a boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather, which McGregor’s mixed martial arts coach John Kavanagh believes will happen some time later this year.
Should the plans fall into place, Las Vegas in September is expected to host the meeting of the former multiple-weight boxing champion and the reigning UFC lightweight champion.
Mayweather, who retired with a professional boxing record of 49-0, has said he’ll only fight again if it’s in the ring against McGregor, who has also stated that his next bout won’t be in the octagon.
The Dubliner is likely to require the blessing and involvement of the UFC — to whom he’s under contract — if he’s to face McGregor, but Kavanagh believes it’s only a matter of time.
He told a panel of interviewers — including former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich — on FOX Sports in Australia: “In my mind, it’s on. That’s the mentality we’re in. There’s a lot of fingers in the pie on this one. There’s different promotions, different organisations, different commissions that are involved.
“But as far as I’m concerned, I really believe it’s going to happen this year. That’s the mindset I have. Let the people in the suits worry about the paperwork. We’re training for it.”
Kavanagh also explained why training for a fight against Mayweather will be more straightforward than what McGregor is used to in MMA: “Boxing is one of the 10 skills you need for mixed martial arts. Now we’re only doing boxing so we can drop wrestling, jiu-jitsu, Thai boxing… we can just focus on the boxing.
“Of course we’re getting ready to fight arguably one of the best defensive boxers of all time, but the training will become simplified because we only have to do boxing. It’s a new challenge. I’m excited about it.”
McGregor is now eligible to apply for a licence to box in Las Vegas, after Nevada State Athletic Commission chief Bob Bennett confirmed to Boxing News that the MMA star has paid the $25,000 fine relating to his press conference fracas with Nate Diaz last August.
