Floyd Mayweather has confirmed he is set to have a rematch with Conor McGregor next year.
Ahead of his upcoming fight against Mikuru Asakura in Japan, Mayweather told Sportsmail: "I want to go out there this weekend and have fun [against Asakura]. Then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
"We don't know if it's going to be an exhibition of a real fight. But there's been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition.
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"I am not into fights where I am going to take any real punishment.
"So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don't really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don't really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals but nothing where I am going to put myself in a position where I am going to harm myself or hurt myself."
The boxing legend said that the fight will happen but is still in the negotiations stage.
Mayweather's announcement also lines up with McGregor confirming his plans to start boxing again.
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He told Sky Sports in May: "Boxing is my first love in combat sports. I had such a great time the last time I was out there.
"Obviously, my return will be in the octagon for UFC - that story is far from over, in fact it's just being written, it is just the beginning. Boxing, for sure I will grace the squared circle again in the future."
The pair last fought back in 2017, where Mayweather picked up the victory and has remained undefeated ever since.
The fight itself was stopped by the referee and McGregor’s immediate reaction was pure shock.
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Although McGregor managed to keep the pressure on for the first few rounds, he eventually ran out of energy.
At the time, McGregor told referee Robert Byrd: “That was early, referee. That was early. That was early."
When the two fighters met in the middle of the ring after the decision, the Irishman told Mayweather: "I punched you a lot in the early rounds. Your composure is great though, fair play to you. A little early, a little early."
Mayweather also revealed what the pair said after the fight: “We talked about that he’s a tough competitor and I think we gave the fans what they wanted to see.
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“I told him I owe them [the fans] for the Pacquiao fight, I must come straight ahead and give them a show and that’s what I gave him.
“He’s a lot better than I thought he was. He used different angles, he’s a tough competitor, but I was the better man tonight.”
Topics: Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor
Anish Vij