Conor McGregor is a UFC star, Floyd Mayweather is a boxing legend, and earlier there have been reports suggesting that the two could be involved in a multi-million-pound bout in the near future. The UFC artist might have inched a step closer as he has been issued a boxing license in the state of California. This makes matters really interesting. But will the fight really take shape?
As of now, things are not clear if McGregor-Mayweather fight is ever going to happen; but if it does, the bout could land mega deals for both the superstars. The UFC lightweight champion, in the past, demanded $100 million for Mayweather fight, and the American has a rich history of making massive money from his bouts.
California State Athletic Commission executive officer Andy Foster confirmed that the Irishman has received the license, and believes that his opponent has to be a high-profile one.
"He got a license today and a federal ID. He's qualified [as a boxer]. I'd love to see him fight in California. It just needs to be the right opponent. Certainly a high-level opponent. We're happy to license him. We're happy he's a California fighter," MMAFighting.com quoted Foster as saying.
Now, when Foster talks about a high-profile opponent, one does not have to look beyond Mayweather, who knows McGregor has some genuine interest in fighting the boxing phenom. However, for that to materialise, Mayweather has to come out of retirement and set up that mammoth clash with McGregor, which is not going to happen.
It is not only McGregor who has that desire to fight Mayweather inside the boxing ring, but also American's arch-rival Manny Pacquiao. The Filipino, after coming out of retirement, has expressed interest in fighting Mayweather.
As of now, boxers like Pacquiao have not been able to force him out of retirement. Can McGregor convince him?