Getty Image
Another day, another round of trash talk between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor as they (desperately) try to sell some more tickets to their FIGHT OF THE CENTURY on August 26th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Today’s round of verbal sparring involves the weight of the boxing gloves the two combatants will be using in their SUPERFIGHT. When Conor McGregor fights in the UFC he wears very light 4 ounce gloves. So naturally, using a heavier boxing gloves puts him at a disadvantage versus Floyd Mayweather, who is obviously very used to the weight of a boxing glove.
So on Tuesday Mayweather decided to write on Instagram that he would be more than willing to let both fighters use 8 ounce gloves instead of the already agreed upon 10 ounce variety. (Key words: already agreed upon.)
Mayweather 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/
Aww, isn’t that nice of him? Too bad that was NEVER going to happen…
Under Nevada State Athletic Commission rules, “athletes (boxers/kick boxers) weighing-in up to and including 135 pounds must wear 8 oz gloves in competition, while athletes weighing-in over 135 pounds (junior welterweight class and above) must wear 10 oz gloves in competition. However, athletes weighing-in over 135 but (no) more than 147 may wear 8 oz gloves in competition if both athletes agree to do so in writing on their bout agreement (contract).”
Because the fight is contracted at the junior middleweight division limit of 154 pounds, Mayweather and McGregor have to wear 10-ounce gloves, according to the commission rules.
“These regulations are in place for the health and safety of the athletes, which is of the utmost importance to the commission,” Nevada commission executive director Bob Bennett told ESPN on Tuesday night. “Our regulations already outline the appropriate glove size according to contracted weight of a fight.”
Mayweather, despite his bluster, was VERY aware of this fact. All fights at welterweight, 154 pounds and above – the weight this fight will take place at – must use 10-ounce gloves. Should they have gone down just one weight class they could have gone to the lighter 8 ounce gloves. But that didn’t happen, did it, Floyd?
Naturally, after Mayweather tried to make it like seem he was being generous, McGregor had to respond in typical Conor McGregor fashion, writing on Instagram…
Another handy 12 rounds today. We are prepared to destroy Floyd. Pick whatever size gloves you want as well little man. I fight with 4oz. I don’t give a fuck about the size of the glove. I am coming sprinting at you with bricks. Know that. Brittle hands.
So, do you think they sold any more tickets?