Story highlights
Mayweather happy to fight Nurmagomedov
US boxer says it has to be a boxing match
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has opened the door for a fight with UFC’s Khabib Nurmagomedov – but only if it’s in the boxing ring.
In conversation with CNN’s Talk Asia’s Anna Coren, the 41-year-old refused to watch a video of UFC president Dana White suggesting Mayweather should face the Russian in the octagon.
“I don’t have to see that,” the former five-weight world champion said. “Last time Dana White spoke, he said me and Conor McGregor won’t be in a boxing match.
“I think Dana White is a great person, a great guy but we don’t know what the future holds. Sometimes I say I’m retired but guess what – I come right back.”
‘It’s up to Khabib’
Nurmagomedov, who recently beat Conor McGregor on his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts, triggered rumors of a mega-fight with Mayweather after calling out the former boxer.
Both men are ubeaten in the respective sports – the boxing great has fought 50 professional fights without defeat; the younger Russian has a 27-0 record.
Nicknamed “Money,” Mayweather has made it clear that the ball is in the Russian’s court and admitted to previously meeting with the fighter’s management.
READ: Mayweather would get smashed by Khabib Nurmagomedov, says UFC boss
READ: Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov suspended indefinitely
He has urged Nurmagomedov to think about the rewards.
“If Khabib wants to fight in a boxing match, we can,” he said. “If he wants to go to UFC and make the money that he’s been making, he can.
“When Khabib fought McGregor, he made $3-4million. When you fight me you’re going to make way more.
“It’s about entertainment. Conor McGregor was never on a Forbes list. Once he competed against me, he was up high on the Forbes list,” added Mayweather, referring to his fight with McGregor in August 2017.
