Floyd Mayweather ’50-50′ on return, believes Conor McGregor fight will happen

Just because Floyd Mayweather is retired doesn’t mean that he won’t take advantage of an opportunity to remain in the limelight when it presents itself.

Mayweather could have squashed recent speculation that the unbeaten boxer would compete in some fashion against UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor. Instead, Mayweather saw an opening to seize attention even in retirement and he continued to fan the flames in an interview on ShoBox’s Friday night telecast.

“It’s really not a rumor,” Mayweather said when asked about McGregor. ”The fight may happen. We really don’t know as of right now. But do I think the fight will happen? Absolutely.”

The idea of pitting Mayweather against McGregor had the combat sports world buzzing although the logistics of making that fight happen would be a challenge. UFC president Dana White, who happens to be McGregor’s boss, shot down the idea in a recent interview on ESPN’s “Russillo & Kanell” and stated that it would be “impossible.”

But Mayweather isn’t one to take no for an answer.

He did admit that nothing has been discussed yet in terms of a venue and money but put it out there that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the fight happen.

“If the fans demand the fight, we’ll make it happen,” he said.

For those wondering whether it will be a boxing or MMA rules, Mayweather made it very clear which way he’s going.

“We’re the ‘A-side’ so of course it has to be a boxing match,” he continued while citing most of McGregor’s victories in the UFC have come by knockout. “He’s no pushover. He fell short in his last bout but a true champion knows how to bounce back.”

Ultimately, this could all be Mayweather blowing smoke simply to draw interest to his promotional umbrella. And if a megafight with McGregor doesn’t materialize, it’s not known if the man known as “Money” will look to compete again. However, he’s certainly appearing to be more open to it than before.

Mayweather said he was “50-50” on the possibility of him boxing again. That is a lot softer stance on coming out of retirement than in recent interviews when he stated that he was enjoying the retired life under no uncertain terms. But perhaps the allure of the mighty dollar will draw Mayweather back into a boxing ring. And the man attached to that allure is not Gennady Golovkin, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez or even Manny Pacquiao. The only name that Mayweather appears to be interested in fighting is Conor McGregor.

“The only guy I’m thinking about right now – business-wise – is Conor McGregor.”