Dana White confident that Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor numbers could top pay-per-view records
White says that the Las Vegas showdown could top the reported $600m haul from the 2015 showdown between the American and Manny Pacquiao
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has predicted that Conor McGregor’s boxing match with Floyd Mayweather could top the reported $600m haul from the 2015 showdown between the American and Manny Pacquiao.
“This is the biggest event ever in combat sports history,” White said on a conference call, on Wendesday evening. “This is the most distributed event in pay-per-view history.
“This thing is in like 200 countries on pay-per-view. Boxing doesn't usually do a lot of digital. If you're in Manhattan or on a desert island somewhere, if you have Wifi you can buy this fight.”
Meanwhile, McGregor said he is happy about the switch to lighter gloves for his Aug. 26 fight against the undefeated boxer, claiming that his opponent will now struggle to make it past the second round.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Wednesday, just 10 days before the hotly anticipated Las Vegas fight, approved requests from Mayweather and McGregor to wear eight-ounce gloves rather than 10-ounce ones.
“That was a good thing for me. I'm very happy with it,” McGregor told reporters .
Mayweather had nearly all of his 49 professional wins using eight-ounce gloves, which may accentuate one of his advantages - his hand speed.
McGregor preferred the lighter gloves since he is used to the fingerless, four-ounce gloves typically worn in MMA.
“That's it in a nutshell, you've got pros and cons on both sides,” he said. “Favours us both in certain ways.
“I believe now that the gloves are eight ounces, I don't believe he makes it out of the second round,” McGregor added.
“Part of me ... kind of wants to show some skills and dismantle him that way. (But) I do not foresee him absorbing the blows in the first two rounds.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments