Fans believe Conor McGregor has rejected a rematch with Floyd Mayweather after the boxing legend compared his skill level to YouTube fighters.
Reports initially indicated McGregor and Mayweather were in talks to stage a sequel of their historic 2017 meeting which became the second highest-selling pay-per-view event in combat sports history. It was later claimed the pair were simply just left 'arguing' over the rules for the second event, with Mayweather yesterday confirming talks were indeed in the latter stages.
During Mayweather's confirmation that the fight was close to completion, he delivered an unfavourable comparison of his former rival to YouTube fighters, telling the Daily Mail: "I am not into fights where I am going to take any real punishment. So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don't really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don't really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals but nothing where I am going to put myself in a position where I am going to harm myself or hurt myself."
McGregor later issued a response to Mayweather's claim, using Instagram to post a picture from their first fight alongside the caption "Not interested". Fans were underwhelmed when the report broke, with one writing: "McGregor is finished, no one wants to see this." Another quickly agreed: "Boxing has is just a farce now with old pros who can't retire and YouTubers thinking they can fight. Add on top the ridiculous cost of PPVs and it's no wonder boxing is dying."
And one fan has a conspiracy that Mayweather's harsh words on his rival's ability in the squared circle may have had a timely impact on the outcome of rematch talks. One fan wrote: "He was begging for it for months now [he's] salty because Floyd put him on the same level as a YouTube boxer."
However other fans appeared to rejoice with the news that McGregor had decided to leave the fight, with one fan writing: "Conor should’ve passed on the first one. It’s been all downhill since that night. His rise was special and tremendously fun to watch. His fall is just sad to witness and unfortunately I don’t think his drop is over."
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One agreed: "We aren't interested in seeing it either. The first one was a farce." A final fan called for McGregor to make a UFC return instead, adding: "Neither are we. No more. Do a real fight." Despite fans claiming they were happy to see the back of a reported rematch, the first event proved hugely successful with the event raking in around four million pay-per-view buys globally.
Mayweather earned a purse in excess of his guaranteed $100million, while his crossover bout rival took home around $65m without adding on the revenue from the gate and pay-per-view sales. McGregor has teased a return to the boxing ring, but could now first focus on an octagon comeback next year.
