Boxing news: Floyd Mayweather praises UFC star Conor McGregor for the first time

The war of words between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather has gone on for a really long time and the two are expected to settle their feud inside the boxing ring soon. The fight becoming a reality took a step forward in the last few weeks after it was revealed that McGregor has signed his side of the deal with Mayweather expected to sign his side soon.

Mayweather has been in the UK the last few weeks helping his protégé Gervonta Davis get ready for a fight and the undefeated boxer revealed in a recent interview with DJ Whoo Kid on Eminem's SiriusXM channel Shade 45 that proceedings will ramp up soon.

Also read: Conor McGregor to fight Manny Pacquiao if Floyd Mayweather does not sign deal

"I mean, once I get back to Las Vegas, to my hub, we'll find out how everything plays out. You know, I'll communicate with Al Haymon. I'll communicate with Leonard Ellerbe. We'll sit down and see what we can come up with and hopefully the McGregor fight can be made," Mayweather said.

But that was not the only thing Mayweather spoke about. In a surprise turn of events, the American praised the UFC star and it's fair to say that apart from all the insults he dished out at McGregor, he respects him as a fighter.

"This is a boxing match, he's a hell of a stand up fighter, and I can't take that away from him. Only time McGregor has been defeated was when he was on the ground. When he was standing up, he always was victorious," Mayweather said.

"He's a power puncher, he's a tough competitor, I'm a tough competitor, and we have to go out there and give the world and the fans what they want to see: excitement."

What Mayweather said about McGregor being a hell of a stand up fighter is actually spot on. The UFC star has just lost three times in the MMA career and all those losses have come when he was on the ground and lost via submission. Whereas out of the 21 fights the Irishman has won, 18 of those wins have come via knockout.

So if Mayweather and McGregor do end up fighting, despite the American's experience, McGregor could still pose a threat and possibly end his run of 49 straight wins.