‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor has made a shocking admission about his preparation for his boxing debut three years ago.
In August 2017, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s biggest draw crossed the bridge for the first time as he fought the undefeated boxing legend in the squared circle at the most lucrative bout in combat sports history.
McGregor took home a whopping $100 million fight salary, the biggest paycheck of his career, but suffered a 10th-round technical knockout loss to Mayweather.
In the lead up to this crossover bout, the Irishman decided to train with his striking coach Owen Roddy and long-time coach John Kavanagh instead of recruiting a boxing trainer.
And McGregor has admitted he was not confident about his boxing skills before the Mayweather showdown.
Best Teacher
Prior to his Octagon return last January, the 31-year old superstar said he was unable to watch his own training footage ahead of his boxing debut.
To this, McGregor said he is willing to get all the experience he needs to improve his craft.
“I actually look at the Mayweather [fight], the shots on the bag and the way I was punching and I actually can’t even watch that,” Conor admitted (via The Sun).
“I shiver when I see the way I was throwing my punches back then. I just wasn’t sitting right on them, just floating through the air.
“Now I’m getting into positions and sitting in. Got to go through everything to learn, to truly learn. Experience is the best teacher of all.”
“The Notorious” would go on to defeat Donald Cerrone on his highly-anticipated MMA comeback at UFC 246 via 40-second knockout – one of McGregor’s best performance in recent years.
While he is being linked to a massive rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov for his next fight, there are chances the McGregor vs Mayweather II could happen after the American boxer announced he is coming out of retirement this year.
Improved
If the boxing rematch is booked, McGregor is confident he’ll secure the victory this time.
“I wasn’t sinking into my shots like I am now, [with] what my boxing coaches are drilling, specific boxing things they’re drilling into me again,” he told ESPN.
“I know I beat Floyd, I’d beat Floyd if we rematched, when we rematch. I would like to box him. I think that would be a good rematch.
“But also, I would be open to other boxing bouts. You know, Manny. We’re actually close to signing Manny. There’s been talks about the Manny fight as well.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor)