Floyd Mayweather says he has offered Conor McGregor US$15 million to fight

Former welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr said on Wednesday he was “interested” in a fight with Conor McGregor and had already offered the mixed martial arts star US$15 million (HK$116.3 million) to climb into the ring with him.

Mayweather, who retired in 2015 with a perfect 49-0 record, told ESPN’s First Take programme that a McGregor bout was the only thing that could tempt him to end his exile from the ring.

The 39-year-old was responding to a question about whether he would consider a rematch with Filipino star Manny Pacquiao following the duo’s much-heralded “Fight of the Century” two years ago.

“Only thing I’m probably interested in is the Conor McGregor fight,” Mayweather said. “I’m a businessman and it makes business sense.

“I believe in what me and (business adviser) Al Haymon talk about every day – I believe in working smarter, not harder.”

Mayweather revealed initial talks with McGregor’s representatives had taken place, but stalled.

“We tried to make the Conor McGregor fight,” Mayweather said. “They know what my number is. My number is a guaranteed US$100m. That was my number.

“We are willing to give him US$15m and then we can talk about splitting the percentage – the back end – on the pay-per-view.

“But of course, we’re the ‘A side.’ How can a guy talk about making US$20 or US$30m if he has never made US$8 or US$9m in a fight?”

Mayweather appeared to suggest that McGregor’s recent comments calling for a fight were insincere.

“Everybody keeps talking about Conor McGregor. He’s blowing smoke up everybody’s ass. Dana White, the UFC – let’s make it happen. Bring him over to the boxing world and I’ll show him what it’s like.”

In November, McGregor challenged Mayweather to a fight under mixed martial arts rules and said he would only face Mayweather in a boxing ring for US$100 million.

“Much respect to Floyd. He’s a solid businessman ... as far as real fighting – true, pure unarmed combat – Floyd don’t want none of this,” McGregor said.

“He does not want none of this. He wants it under boxing rules. He wants a boxing match. He doesn’t want a fight.

“Give Floyd a shout, tell him I’m coming. Tell him to run around Showtime offices. I want US$100m to fight him under boxing rules because he’s afraid of a real fight.”