Floyd Mayweather walked out of the T-Mobile Arena ring in Las Vegas humble – but with his head held high – after the ref called time on Conor McGregor’s valiant efforts in the tenth.
Money was made, as Floyd continued his undefeated 50-bout reign, but The Notorious stayed true to form and, while paying his respects, refused to succumb.
So vast and other-worldly is Conor McGregor’s resilience, his first statement after being announced loser of this battle of titanic proportions was fighting talk.
Mac said what many, many Mayweather supporters were thinking when he admitted he wanted the ref to give Money the chance to deliver the KO.
The Irish UFC champ explained:
I’d have liked to hit the floor. I’d have liked the ref … there’s a lot on the line here, he should have let me keep going, I thought.
No one’s taking these kinds of risks. So fuck it, lay into me all you want. I’ll take it on the chin. I’ll take it wrapped around the neck on live TV. It’s another day for me.
McGregor also paid his respects to Mayweather’s composure during the bout, continuing:
I thought I took the early rounds pretty handy, he had to change his style and fair play to him, he did. He adjusted, he changed his style, he put his hands up more. He’s composed.
He’s not that fast, he’s not that powerful, but boy is he composed in there. So he was making me throw and he was patient with his shots.
I had a bit of fun over on this side. Hopefully I entertained the fans on this. I thought it was close, though. And I thought it was a little early of a stoppage.
I get like that when I’m tired. I get a little wobbly and flowy. But get me into the corner and I’d have recovered and come back.
Time will never tell whether McGregor’s claims are true, as Floyd has now announced his retirement:
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McGregor also had a quiet moment with Mayweather, saying:
That was everything. I gave everything and you were still there. Great work.
Good job, good job. You were very composed in there. Very composed.
Respect. Great job.
Both athletes have come out of the ring tired, worse for wear, but better off to the tune of millions, and having won each other’s respect. Not to mention the memes…
How’s that for a parting shot?
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.