Floyd Mayweather says Conor McGregor rematch will happen in 2023, throws shade at UFC star
Undefeated boxing champ Floyd Mayweather has revealed plans to face UFC star Conor McGregor sometime next year in a rematch of their 2017 bout.
In an exclusive interview with Sportsmail, Mayweather said he and McGregor have agreed to meet again, with only a few details still to be finalized.
“We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition or a real fight. But there’s been talks of both,” Mayweather, 45, said, adding that he would prefer an exhibition because “I am not into fights where I am going to take any real punishment.”
Mayweather won their first bout in Las Vegas with a 10th-round TKO.
“So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don’t really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don’t really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals but nothing where I am going to put myself in a position where I am going to harm myself or hurt myself,” he added.
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Mayweather, whose win over McGregor pushed his lifetime record to 50-0, has a pair of boxing exhibitions on his upcoming schedule: one this weekend against Mikuru Asakura and another one in Dubai in November.
McGregor, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since suffering a broken leg in his last UFC fight, a loss to Dustin Poirier on July 10, 2021.
Since then, McGregor has expressed a desire to return to the boxing ring. “Boxing is my first love in combat sports,” he told Sky Sports in May. “I had such a great time the last time I was out there.”
UPDATE: McGregor responded to Mayweather on Instagram, indicating he is not interested.
