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WATCH: McGregor got his hand on Mayweather for the first time tonight in London

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The Mayweather-McGregor World Press Tour drew to a close tonight in London, and the boxers will now dive head first into camp for their mega-fight on August 26th.

Following a lambasted third presser in New York, the event this evening at the Wembley Arena received a generally better reception from fans and commentators alike.

One particularly notable moment came while McGregor was on the mic in the converted ring. Circling around the squared circle, ‘The Notorious’ caused a stir when he rubbed the head of Mayweather and challenged him saying “do something slaphead.”

The four-city tour had been notable for the lack of physical contact between the two light middleweights, with intense nose-to-nose staredowns lasting minutes but without heads ever coming together.

Rumours circulated online that there was a stipulation in the contract that said McGregor would be deducted $1,000,000 from his purse should he touch ‘Money May,’ and UFC boss Dana White would reveal that he was asked by Mayweather adviser Al Haymon to monitor the staredowns and ensure no physical contact.

However it wouldn’t be a staredown when McGregor first got his hands, well, hand, on the American five-weight champ, who did seem discomforted by the encounter – although whether the Dubliner will be hit in the pocket remains to be seen. That said, with McGregor’s projecting earnings from the fight believed to be $100,000,000, he may be able to stomach a 1% blow.

Watch the final Mayweather-McGregor World Tour event below (skip to 1hour 38minutes for the head rub):

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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