FLOYD MAYWEATHER has defended the trash talk and offensive language used during a recent press tour to promote his upcoming fight with UFC star Conor McGregor.
The pair stopped off in four cities – Los Angeles, Toronto, Brooklyn in New York and London – and every press conference saw them both sling insults at one another.
Mayweather, who had been more reserved in the latter years of his career, slid effortlessly back into the role of villain during the press tour, playing up to crowds and boasting about his wealth.
“I like that he’s got confidence. That’s the confidence we need. We need more guys [like that],” he said of the Irishman.
“They say he’s brought the ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd back. We need more guys like the ‘Money’ Mayweather, the ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather, the Conor McGregor, we need guys to be more aggressive to one another, to be trash-talking to one another. That’s what combat sports need.”
The press tour made headlines across the globe, and while earlier parts of it were entertaining, it eventually devolved into vulgarity with accusations of racism and homophobia being aimed at McGregor and Mayweather respectively.
When assessing the various media conferences, Mayweather rejected claims that Conor stole the show and believes he even got under his adversary’s skin at times.
“I’m the best at this. Trash-talking, I’m the best at it. When he’s out there saying his piece, speaking from the heart, taking shots at me, I don’t say anything. It’s called respect. And then when it’s my turn to speak, he’s constantly interrupting me. My thing is this; treat people how you want to be treated,” he said.
“It’s obvious that I’m pushing buttons and he’s not able to push my buttons. It’s different than any other opponents in that he can’t out-talk me. As far as in the fight game, whether it’s the octagon or boxing ring, I’ve got a high IQ.
“I’ve come across a lot of trash-talkers. At the end of the day he’s not bad. We’ll rank him number two; I’m number one. He’s not bad.”