Floyd Mayweather forced a 10th-round stoppage in his first meeting with Conor McGregor in August 2017
(Picture: Getty Images)Floyd Mayweather has confirmed that he will face Conor McGregor for a second time in 2023.
The retired boxing icon, 45, revealed plans for a rematch with UFC’s outspoken superstar ahead of his latest money-spinning exhibition bout, which takes place against Japanese mixed martial artist and YouTuber Mikuru Asakura in Saitama on Saturday night.
Mayweather and McGregor first locked horns in August 2017, with the former forcing a 10th-round stoppage in one of the richest events in boxing history held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Mayweather is believed to have earned upwards of £230million for a high-profile crossover contest that saw him temporarily suspend his retirement and finish his professional career undefeated at 50-0, surpassing heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. However, there are many who believe that such a bout - preceded by a lucrative world tour - should never have counted towards his pro record.
The duo have continued to exchange public barbs since then, with plenty of rumours over a rematch as Mayweather continues to cash in on exhibitions, having also faced the likes of YouTuber Logan Paul and Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in recent years.
The 15-time world champion last competed in May, when he dominated a rescheduled eight-round exhibition against former sparring partner Don Moore in Abu Dhabi.
McGregor, meanwhile, returned to the UFC after his one and only foray into pro boxing to date that saw him make an encouraging start before tiring late on (he was behind 89-81 89-82 87-83 on the judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage), losing to arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov on a chaotic night and beating Donald Cerrone before suffering back-to-back defeats by Dustin Poirier, sustaining a horrific broken leg on his last appearance at UFC 264 in July 2021.
Confirming that he will fight McGregor again next year, Mayweather told the Daily Mail: “I want to go out there this weekend and have fun [against Asakura]. Then I have another exhibition in Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
“We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition or a real fight. But there’s been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition.”
Pressed on the reasons for pushing for an exhibition with McGregor rather than another competitive contest, the American added: “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.”
