Conor McGregor promises to finish Floyd Mayweather, hints at September showdown
The Conor McGregor show arrived at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday and his presence was felt in a massive way.
The current UFC lightweight champion was there to support fellow Irishman Michael Conlan, who made his professional debut, but McGregor didn't shy away from the spotlight when he spoke briefly to the press assembled ringside.
McGregor wasted no time issuing a warning to anyone and everyone involved with the sport of boxing — most notably retired pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, who is expected to be his next opponent if the superstars can come to an agreement on terms for a fight.
"I'm the boxing guy! Watch me take over boxing. Trust me on that. No one in this boxing game knows what's coming. Trust me on that!," McGregor shouted. "When I step in there, I'll shock the whole [expletive] world. Trust me on that.
"Look me in the eyes. 28 years of age. Confident as a mother [expletive]. Long, rangy, dangerous with every hand."
McGregor didn't bat an eye during his rant while also making a bold prediction when it came to his fight with Mayweather.
"Trust me, I'm going to stop Floyd," McGregor proclaimed. "You're all going to eat your words. The whole world is going to eat their words. We're getting close don't worry about it. You'll hear about it. I am boxing!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQeISn7ttek
McGregor didn't stick around long after making his statement, but he did speak to the L.A. Times on his way out of the arena when he also mentioned a possible timeline for the fight with Mayweather.
“I’m ready to box. I’ve been ready for a long time. The game’s going to be in shock when I step in the ring. Trust me on that," McGregor said.
“[September] is what I’m thinking. That’s what the word is. That’s what we’re close to doing. I’ve tried to talk to Floyd. I flew to Las Vegas to have talks with Floyd and then he retired. He just doesn’t want to see me. He’s petrified. Wouldn’t you be? No one knows what to expect with me, and they shouldn’t. Because I don’t know what to expect either.”
FOX Sports first reported earlier this week that while Mayweather was pushing for a date in June for the fight with McGregor that September was actually the more realistic timeline for the bout to happen.
Sources have told FOX Sports that one possible date for the fight is Sept. 16, although with negotiations ongoing between both sides there's no telling if that will remain on target or if the date will change once a deal is finalized. McGregor remained in New York after the fights to host a St. Patrick's Day party before plans to return home to Ireland where he's awaiting the birth of his first child in late April or early May.
