According to Showtime Sports Vice President Stephen Espinoza, negotiations for the blockbuster boxing bout between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr have come to a standstill, leaving doubts as to whether the fight will ever happen.
“The biggest battle in Mayweather-Pacquiao was both guys really thinking that the other wanted to do it,” Espinoza stated on the ‘Boxing With Chris Mannix’ podcast. “That part has happened [with McGregor and Mayweather], so I think the real question – and it’s sort of a black box right now – is where’s the UFC really, on this? Do they, in fact, want it? Dana – speaking on behalf of, I assume, the UFC – is making noises that he’s more open to it but talk is talk. I haven’t seen a lot of progress either internally in the deal between the two of them or externally, the deal between that side and this side.
“It’s largely at a standstill. There hasn’t been a ton of progress and I think if they don’t move relatively quickly, people may move on. People may tire of it. But it really is something that needs to happen this year or it probably won’t happen. Floyd’s on 18 months, two solid years come September since he’s fought. He’s still in great shape, but at a certain point, he’s not gonna do it after a while.”
Espinoza went on to question whether the UFC’s heart really is in making this fight become a reality given the potential risks involved in it.
“I think part of the fear on the UFC’s side is that they’ll never see Conor again. If he makes 50, 60, 70 and then you never see him in the ring and he retires in Ireland and so much for their megastar.”
Espinoza brings up some valid points, though it’ll be interesting to see if negotiations will pick up again after McGregor’s first child is born in May.
