Mayweather-McGregor gloves drama solved
The past day has seen much of the constant Mayweather-McGregor talk centre around the gloves the two will wear come fight night.
For many it was a case of size matters.
Dublin debutant Conor McGregor is accustomed to wearing 4oz gloves following his time as a mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and would protest during the world press tour for the August 26th fight over the need to wear 10oz gloves next month.
The fight in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena will take place at light middleweight (154lbs), which requires 10oz gloves. Making the fight at light middle, considering both fighters would most likely be able to make welterweight (147llbs) where the gloves can be a more destructive 8oz, was seen as a tactical move by five-weight champion Floyd Mayweather.
The American has been subject to some criticism over the gloves issue in recent weeks but last night he would state that he has no issue with the Irish fighter wearing smaller gloves later this month.
Posting on Instagram, Mayweather wrote “Don’t believe what you hear in the media. Don’t believe what you hear on blog sites. If it’s not coming directly from me, then it’s not true. I’m telling McGregor, ‘Let’s fight in 8 oz gloves,’”
“McGregor can fight in any brand he prefers or chooses. I’ll be wearing 8 oz Grant gloves. Whatever advantage McGregor needs to feel more comfortable in the ring, I’m willing to accommodate. Let’s give the boxing and MMA fans what they want to see.”
The Crumlin fighter himself would respond, also on Instagram, replying “I don’t give a fuck about the size of the glove,”
“I am coming sprinting at you with bricks. Know that. Brittle hands.”
However, it has all proved to be a storm in a teacup, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission have confirmed that bigger gloves must be worn for the mega-money bout as the agreed weight comes in above the highest allowable for the wearing of 8oz gloves
NSAC executive director Bob Bennett told boxing writer Dan Rafael that “athletes weighing-in over 135 but no more than 147 may wear 8 oz gloves in competition if both athletes agree to do so in writing.”
“These regulations are in place for the health and safety of the athletes, which is of the utmost importance to the commission. “Our regulations already outline the appropriate glove size according to contracted weight of a fight.”
