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      ‘I retired for a reason’ – Floyd Mayweather rules out Manny Pacquiao rematch and will only fight ‘YouTubers or MMA guys’

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has ruled out a rematch with Manny Pacquaio – and will only fight stars of the YouTube and MMA world. Pacquiao was ringside in Japan to watch Mayweather’s latest exhibition bout, knocking out Mikuru Asakura in two rounds.
      Floyd Mayweather has ruled out a rematch with Manny PacquaioCredit: Rex
      The Filipino’s presence in the Far East fuelled speculation of a rematch with his great rival.
      But Mayweather hit back: “I retired from the sport, and I didn’t let the sport retire me.
      “I’m always going to put myself in a position now to where I, just like I was doing, fighting at the highest level. I was dictating and being in control.
      “I’m not going to go in there with no former fighters, former world champions, putting more abuse on my body. I retired for a reason.
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      “I’m here to have fun and enjoy myself, sometimes three rounds, sometimes eight rounds, with guys that are going to help me entertain people.
      “I’m not going to take punishment to the point to where I can barely walk or barely talk.
      “Manny had a great career, but boxing retired Manny, Manny didn’t retire from boxing. There’s a difference.
      “Of course, if I were Manny Pacquiao, would I be chasing an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather to get a payday? Absolutely I would.
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      “But at this particular time, I love fighting guys that are 15-0, 8-0, guys that are older, like myself, or YouTubers or MMA guys.
      “I will continue to do what I do and dictate and control.”
      Pacquiao, 43, retired last year after losing to Yordenis Ugas, 36.
      But following a failed presidential run in the Philippines, the eight-division champion is linked with a boxing return.
      He already has two exhibitions lined up, against DK Yoo in December and then with ex-sparring partner Jaber Zayani in February.
      Mayweather, 45, retired professionally in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34.
      But he has had four exhibitions since, most recently against MMA featherweight Asakura, 30.
      He had faced kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, and former sparring partner Don Moore beforehand.
      And Mayweather is set to return on November 13 in Dubai, against YouTuber Deji, 25, brother to KSI, 28.
      Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Japan togetherCredit: Rex More

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      Jake Paul calls out Floyd Mayweather and slams boxing legend for ‘ruining his legacy’ in exhibitions

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      JAKE PAUL slammed Floyd Mayweather for “ruining his legacy” in recent exhibitions – and called for a real fight instead. Mayweather has had four non-sanctioned bouts since retiring in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34.
      Jake Paul slammed Floyd Mayweather for ‘ruining his legacy’ in recent exhibitionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Floyd Mayweather was called out by Jake PaulCredit: Rex
      One involved Jake’s brother Logan, 27, who took the boxing legend the eight-round distance in July 2021.
      Mayweather, 45, last weekend knocked out Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30, in two rounds.
      And days later he announced another exhibition with YouTuber Deji, 25, on November 13 in Dubai.
      Paul, 25, slammed Mayweather and called to organise a catchweight bout between 165lb and 175lb.

      He said: “Floyd Mayweather is ruining his legacy fighting no-name guys, wasting his fans’ money, wasting his fans’ time.
      “He doesn’t even know the names of the guys he’s fighting, and then he chooses to fight Comedy Shorts Gamer (Deji), influencer, to make some money to pay his tax bills.
      “Floyd Mayweather telling Jake Paul that you will only fight Jake Paul if he comes down to his weight, 140 pounds or something.
      “I can’t believe what’s going on in the world. I can’t believe this is real.
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      “Floyd, I will fight you, and you know that’s one of the biggest fights to make in boxing.
      “I weigh 175, you weigh 165. We can get that done, make a couple 100 million.”
      Mayweather offered Paul a shot at his 50-0 record but only if the YouTuber-turned boxer got down to his weight of 150lb.
      That would mean losing almost THREE STONE, causing the American to take a further swipe.
      Paul said: “What will your excuse be? You didn’t care what my brother weighed, so why do you care what I weigh?

      “Oh, because you know, you know what’s going to happen. I want to say, ‘I got your 0.’ I don’t want to just say, ‘I got your hat.’ I got your 0.
      “But you’re going to find a way to dance around this. You’ve said, ‘Oh, once he fights a professional fighter, he’s going to get destroyed. It’ll be bad for him.’
      “Why not let that be you – the best ever? There’s only one Mayweather, but he’s scared to fight Jake Paul.
      “It’s 2022. I can’t believe what the f***’s going on, guys.”
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      Paul returns on October 29 against UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, who will be his first opponent with pro boxing experience.
      Meanwhile, Mayweather faces Deji and revealed ongoing talks to rematch McGregor in 2023.
      Floyd Mayweather knocked out Mikuru Asakura in two roundsCredit: AFP More

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      ‘I’ll be back’ – Floyd Mayweather to fight in Japan again after Mikuru Asakura KO with Manny Pacquaio rematch teased

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER confirmed he will fight in Japan again – amid talk of a rematch with Manny Pacquaio. Pacquiao, famously beaten beaten by Mayweather in 2015, watched ringside as his old rival knocked out Mikuru Asakura in two rounds.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Mikuru Asakura in two roundsCredit: AFP
      Manny Pacquaio was ringside to watch Floyd Mayweather’s winCredit: AFP
      The boxing legend, who doubled his tally of exhibition wins in Japan, then revealed plans to return in the Far East again.
      He said: “I’m happy that we were able to give fans excitement tonight. Thanks for having me. I will be back.”
      Mayweather, 45, floored Asakura, 30, right at the end of the second round with a sharp right hand.
      The southpaw MMA star made it to his feet but on wobbly legs, leaving referee Kenny Bayless with no choice but to halt the action.
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      Mayweather addressed the fans in the Saitama Super Arena and hailed his front row rival.
      He said: “Round of applause to my team, I want to thank you guys. Another unbelievable experience.
      “Another legend right here, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Great champion. Unbelievable world champion.
      “I’m just happy to be here, thanks again.”
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      Pacquiao entered the ring to embrace Mayweather and then hinted that he could fight in Japan himself.
      He said: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I witnessed a good exhibition and good promotion with RIZIN.
      “Thank you for the chance and I hope this is not the last one.”
      Pacquiao, 43, retired from boxing last year after defeat to Yordenis Ugas, 35.
      But following a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines, he has been linked with a comeback.
      Pacquaio already has two exhibitions lined up, against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo and ex-sparring partner Jaber Zayani.
      Whereas Mayweather has had four exhibition bouts since retiring professionally in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34.
      The pair of boxing icons came face to face once again in the Far East at a press conference and traded words.
      Afterwards, Pacquiao’s business partner Sean Gibbons insisted they would accept a rematch with Mayweather.
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      Gibbons said: “Let’s go. Would love to see it but Mayweather wants none of this smoke due to his ego.
      “Senator Pacquiao would love an exhibition. If he was to return it would be this year, but that is a big if.”
      Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio at a press conference in JapanCredit: Rex
      Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: GETTY More

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      ‘I loved it’ – Ebanie Bridges hits back at UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments that ring girls are ‘useless’

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      EBANIE BRIDGES has hit back at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s infamous remarks about “useless” ring girls.The 36-year-old Aussie was a ring girl before becoming a pro boxer and winning the IBF bantamweight title.
      Ebanie Bridges is the IBF bantamweight boxing champion of the worldCredit: PA
      The Blonde Bomber was a ring girl before becoming a pro boxerCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges
      The Blonde Bomber, who was also a school teacher, is currently preparing to defend her belt against compatriot Shannon O’Connell.
      This week she appeared on Pub Talk, and she used the opportunity to blast back at Khabib’s controversial comments.
      The now-retired undefeated UFC legend had claimed “ring girls are the most useless people in martial arts” last year.
      But Bridges said: “Why are people who aren’t us, trying to take our jobs away from us? We love it, I loved being a ring girl. I don’t think it’s useless.
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      “I loved being part of the entertainment, being paid to watch those fights. You’ve got people saying it’s sexist, it’s objectifying… maybe I want to be objectified.
      “Maybe I want to make money… don’t make my mind up for me. You can’t have boxing without the ring girls.”
      Bridges revealed that her love for boxing developed at an early age after noticing the ring girls – and she says she had no qualms about becoming one herself.
      She added: “I was a ring girl. I love combat sports, I grew up with it, so for me to be at the fights… I loved it.
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      “I got paid mad money, probably more than some of the fighters, to sit ringside.
      “I’d be walking around in a G-string.
      “They don’t do the G-strings these days but back in my heyday, that’s how we used to do it.”
      Khabib Nurmagomedov labelled ring girls as ‘useless’ last yearCredit: Alamy More

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      Floyd Mayweather reveals 70,000-seat location for Conor McGregor rematch and demands HUGE nine-figure fight purse

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is targeting the 70,000-seat Allegiant Stadium for his rematch with Conor McGregor and is demanding a nine-figure purse.Mayweather beat the UFC superstar in 2017, his farewell fight as a professional.
      Floyd Mayweather revealed talks to rematch Conor McGregor at the 70,000-seat Allegiant StadiumCredit: Rex Features
      The Las Vegas Raiders’ NFL stadiumCredit: Getty
      But he has boxed in three exhibition bouts since and returns over the weekend in Japan against MMA star Mikuru Asakura, 30.
      Mayweather, 45, is then in talks with YouTuber Deji, 25, for a November exhibition in Dubai.
      And it could set him up for a rematch with McGregor, where he would be willing to put his 50-0 record on the line – for a guaranteed $100million (£90m).
      Mayweather told TMZ Sports: “If the price is right. Of course, they already talked to me about the number that I’m going to receive.
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      “Of course, it’s nine-figures and probably – I don’t want to say huge in the nine-figures – but we have to at least start at $100million for Floyd Mayweather.”
      Mayweather claimed talks to fight at Las Vegas Raiders’ NFL stadium had already taken place, as McGregor, 34, recovers from injury.
      He said: “They talked about it being in Vegas, at the Allegiant Stadium.
      “They talked about it being at the Allegiant Stadium. But if I’m not mistaken, Conor still has a problems with his leg.
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      “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen in 2023, not 2022.
      “So this year I got an exhibition this Saturday, which will be in the US and once again it’s Sunday in Japan.
      “Then after that in November I’ve got another exhibition in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena.
      “And then hopefully me and Conor McGregor can lock up again in 2023, in a real fight actually.”
      Floyd Mayweather ahead of his return in JapanCredit: AFP More

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      Floyd Mayweather, 45, offers Jake Paul fight and reveals terms to put perfect boxing record on line against YouTuber

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has revealed his terms for a sensational “real fight” with Jake Paul. The boxing legend in June 2021 was taken the distance by Paul’s brother Logan in their eight-round exhibition.
      Floyd Mayweather revealed his terms for a sensational fight with Jake PaulCredit: Rex
      Jake Paul does not want to do an exhibition with Floyd MayweatherCredit: Amanda Westcott
      But the YouTuber-turned boxer ruled out facing Mayweather himself unless it was a sanctioned bout on their records.
      That would cause a sticking point with Paul last fighting at 190lb whereas his Hall of Fame rival was 150lb.
      Mayweather, 45, is open to putting his historic 50-0 record on the line against self-proclaimed “Problem Child”.
      But he warned Paul, 25, would have to come down to his weight, which means losing a near-impossible THREE STONE.
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      Mayweather told TMZ Sports: “I think he was doing a sit down on a podcast one time and he talked about it and he said, ‘I don’t wanna do an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather.’
      “He said, ‘I want to put on real fights.’ And of course, I can’t get up high in weight, but I’ll fight him in a real fight, at the weight that I’m at.
      “But, Jake Paul, as of right now for what he’s doing, it’s good for what he’s doing. But once he fights an actual real fighter, it’s going to be bad.
      “But one thing I do like about him, he’s selling it and making good money, he’s entertaining. I like it.”

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      Mayweather has not boxed professionally since 2017, when he beat UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34, in ten rounds.
      He has since had three exhibitions, with featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, Paul’s brother Logan, 27, and ex-sparring partner Don Moore.
      Mayweather returns over the weekend in Japan against MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30.
      Meanwhile Paul faces UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in his comeback fight on October 29 in Arizona.
      Silva has a 4-1 record in the ring and will be the American’s first opponent with prior boxing experience.
      So far he has beaten online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 38.
      He also has a points win and knockout over ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 40, most recently in December.
      Mayweather has warned Paul to carry on facing opposition from the internet and MMA world opposed to seasoned boxers.
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      He said: “As long as he continues to fight MMA guys and YouTubers, he’s going to continue to look good and to shine.
      “But once he fights a real fighter, a real fighter that can really fight, it’s not going to be good. It’s not going to be that good.”
      Floyd Mayweather clashed with Jake Paul before his exhibition with brother LoganCredit: AFP More

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      ‘He’s full of s***’ – Conor McGregor blasts Floyd Mayweather’s claims he earned $100m to ‘spar’ YouTuber Logan Paul

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      CONOR McGREGOR blasted that Floyd Mayweather was “full of s***” after claiming he made $100million to “spar” Logan Paul. Mayweather made the boast both before and after going the eight-round distance with YouTuber Paul in their June 2021 exhibition.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      And the boxing legend also said he will be making up to $20m (£18m) for his latest spectacle bout, over the weekend in Japan.
      But McGregor doubted Mayweather’s maths and jibed not since their 2017 fight has the American seen such a payday.
      In a now-deleted tweet, he wrote: “He also said he made 100m to spar the Logan guy yet never made the Forbes list top 100.
      “He hasn’t cleared 20 million in 1 full year since 2017. When we fought the last time. Otherwise he’d have been on the list.
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      “He hasn’t made the list since 2017. In other words he’s full of s***.”
      Mayweather and Paul sold over 1million pay-per-views for their bout, priced at $50, meaning $50m (£45m) was generated at the box office.
      And the 50-0 icon also claimed he made $30m (£27m) in sponsorships on his trunks alone, although his overall purse was never confirmed.
      Mayweather is said to have made almost $300m (£270m) the night he beat McGregor, 34, in ten rounds.
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      It also signalled the end of his career as a professional fighter but the Hall of Famer has boxed in three exhibitions since.
      He beat featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, in 2018, faced Paul last year and then dominated ex-sparring partner Don Moore in May.
      Mayweather returns against MMA star Mikuru Asakaura, 30, and is in talks with YouTuber Deji, 25, for a November exhibition in Dubai.
      He then wants to rematch McGregor in 2023 at the 70,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and for no less than $100m (£90m).
      Mayweather told TMZ Sports: “Hopefully me and Conor McGregor can lock up in 2023 in a real fight.
      “If the price is right, of course, they already talked to me about the number that I’m going to receive, and of course, it’s nine figures.
      “You know we gotta start at least $100 million for Floyd Mayweather. I’m always the A-side. My philosophy is ‘never stop getting it.’
      “But if I’m not taking any bodily harm or if I’m not taking any abuse, then I can go out there, have fun and entertain the people.”
      Floyd Mayweather was taken the distance by Logan PaulCredit: Amanda Westcott More

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      ‘Not interested’ – Conor McGregor posts brutal two-word response to Floyd Mayweather hinting at shock boxing rematch

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      CONOR McGREGOR has insisted he’s “not interested” in a second boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. Unbeaten 50-0 Mayweather, 45, beat McGregor when the pair met in a pay-per-view boxing-UFC crossover in 2017.
      McGregor has claimed he is ‘not interested’ in a rematch with Floyd MayweatherCredit: EPA
      Floyd Mayweather claimed there were talks over a rematchCredit: PA:Press Association
      Since then, Mayweather has had three exhibition bouts, not officially sanctioned or affecting his historic record.
      But Mayweather could meet McGregor, 34, again next year.
      In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mayweather – who returns over the weekend in Japan against MMA star Mikuru Asakura in a three-round exhibition – confirmed ongoing discussions with McGregor for a sequel.
      He said: “I want to go out there this weekend and have fun. 
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      “Then I have another exhibition in Dubai in November… and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
      “We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition or a real fight. But there’s been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition.”
      However, McGregor has hit back at Mayweather’s confirmation of talks via Instagram.
      The Irishman shared a picture of an uppercut from their first meeting, captioned: “Not interested.”
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      Mayweather has also spoken out for the first time since it emerged he was in talks with Deji, brother of social media sensation KSI.
      He told TMZ Sports: “This Saturday – which in Japan – will be Sunday, I have an exhibition against a helluva fighter from Japan.
      “I think he’s big in UFC and big on YouTube, so in the US, that will be Saturday but Japan it will be Sunday.
      “And then I got one with the guy Deji – I want to make sure that his name is right – Deji, right?
      “Yes, Deji. We will be doing an exhibition in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and that is in November.” More