In the lead-up to their lucrative crossover fight in 2017, Conor McGregor made comments that were perceived as racist, leading Floyd Mayweather to criticize him for it.
The retired boxing legend defeated McGregor in their bout three years ago but has reignited his rivalry with the UFC star after reflecting on his controversial remarks towards him.
McGregor, who recently walked away from fighting in the UFC, used the words ‘monkey’ and ‘boy’ in a way which had been construed by many as offensive ahead of his Las Vegas showdown with Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather has slammed Conor McGregor for comments in the build up to their fight
The truth is that neither man held back in the insult department during an unprecedented promotional world tour ahead of their showdown.
With five unforgettable press conferences between two of the greatest trash talkers in history, this was a war of words for the ages.
There were remarks of all sorts, from the ridiculous to the downright offensive. Here, Sportsmail picks out some of the things that were perhaps better left unsaid.
McGregor made some remarks which were perceived as racist ahead of their 2017 showdown
The first face-off
McGregor certainly did his best to intimidate his rival as they went face to face for the first time, reminding him of what would happen in a ‘real’ fight.
‘I’m a f****** animal,’ the Irishman said. ‘If this was a real fight you’re dead already. If this was a real fight you’re dead in 20 seconds. 20 seconds and I’d smash you within an inch of your life.’
‘Look in my eye,’ he demanded. ‘I’m gonna bounce your head off the canvas. That’s what I do. One shot. One shot is all it takes me. Anywhere on the dome. Four rounds and you’re unconscious,’
‘You ain’t knocked nobody out in about 30 years m************. Brittle fists, brittle fists. Those hands sore already? Do they hurt more in the cold? Make sure you get them massaged out.’
Dana’s b****
Much of Mayweather’s chat centered around the fact he had made much more money than McGregor prior to the fight.
And he played on the fact that the Dubliner’s boss was sat there alongside side them on every step of the tour.
‘Dana – me and you got the most money. Keep pimping this b****,’ he said to the UFC president as a disgruntled McGregor watched on.
’21 years ago, me and you had a game plan. We’re the smart ones. We were going to take these foreign fighters and we were going to use them. We are some smart Americans and you’re out here with a quitter but I forgot: you’re the pimp and this is your h**.’
Mayweather (2nd right) used Dana White (right) in an attempt to get under McGregor’s skin
F*** the Mayweathers!
Perhaps the most memorable of all.
The scene of McGregor getting over 15,000 Canadian fans to shout this in unison is one that will stick long in the mind.
Even Mayweather and his team couldn’t help but laugh as the Irishman lived up to his reputation as the greatest trash talker in the game in Toronto.
McGregor then took aim at Mayweather’s promoters, shouting ‘f*** Showtime too’ directly in the face of president Stephen Espinoza.
McGregor leads over 15,000 fans in shouting ‘f*** the Mayweathers’ at his opponent
Mr Tap Out
The undefeated Mayweather would repeatedly refer to McGregoer’s MMA defeats in his attempts to put him down, particularly the times in which he submitted.
‘We know Mr Tap Out like to quit. You all got the f***ing nerve to believe in a fighter who like to quit? Real fighters don’t quit.
‘(He) didn’t quit once, didn’t quit twice, he quit three times. He will wave that white flag again.’
You can’t f***ing read
Another zinger from McGregor in Toronto.
Mayweather again tried to play the money card, bringing a bag full of cash onto the stage.
But his opponent made him regret it.
’40 years of age,’ McGregor said. ‘Carrying a schoolbag on stage. Why you carrying a schoolbag on stage you can’t even read!’.
McGregor reveals the contents of Mayweather’s bag as the American wears an Irish flag
Microwaved meal
In London, Mayweather would use a metaphor to describe the supposed difference in class between him and McGregor.
‘You’re a microwaved meal,’ he said. ‘I’m a home-cooked meal’.
A Malteser with eyeballs
Speaking to leading MMA reporter Ariel Helwani, McGregor made a less than savory comparison about his rival.
‘My fist is bigger than his head, seriously. He’s a Malteser with eyeballs.’
The less said about that one the better.
F*ggot
Mayweather stooped to his lowest in the London leg of the tour, perhaps riled by the partisan crowd.
‘Yeah, we gonna talk about this p***y,’ he said. You punk, you f*ggot, you h**.
The us of the homophobic slur only solidified the boxing icon’s position as the bad guy.
High heels
Mayweather would go on to film McGregor as he spoke to the crowd at the O2 and he wasn’t impressed.
Mate, you’re 40. Get that f****** phone out of your hand like you’re a kid. He was wearing high heels yesterday. Check the picture from yesterday and check it from the day before, proper high heels that b**** was wearing. You should have wore them on the first day you stupid baldy t***.’
