01 Jan Morning Report: Mike Tyson praises Conor McGregor’s boxing ability, McGregor vows to beat Floyd Mayweather in rematch
Mike Tyson has been making headlines recently as the former heavyweight champion of the world has been releasing training footage (with MMA supercoach Rafael Cordeiro) that has already gotten him a lucrative offer with Bare Knuckle FC. Now he’s grabbing more headlines as Tyson had high praise to heap upon fellow pay-per-view darling Conor McGregor.
On the most recent episode of his Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, Tyson had MMA heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou on the show. The talk inevitably turned towards crossover fights between boxing and MMA and Tyson quick to shut down claims that Conor McGregor’s brief foray into the squared circle was just a spectacle.
“Listen, (it was a spectacle) but this is where it’s not a spectacle – it’s a spectacle but this is where it’s not: he never really had a boxing match in his life, right? He didn’t have a boxing match (and) he went 10 rounds with the greatest fighter in the last 100 years of boxing,” Tyson said. “Think about that. . . He went 10 rounds, scored punches on the greatest fighter in the last 100 years. Did he do something? Did he accomplish something?
“People ain’t looking . . . but look what he had to fight against and look what he did when he fought against it. Imagine a guy never had a boxing match and he’s fighting boxing with me. He goes 10 rounds and he’s fighting me and we’re fighting. Imagine if he did (go 10 rounds) and we’re fighting and I’m doing my thing. That’s a bad motherf*cker. First fight, 10 rounds with the champ, the best champ in the last 50 years or something like that. Pfft, that’s the winner of the fight! That’s the winner. This should’ve been a one round, two round fight. Floyd should’ve took it easy, (but) he had to sweat, he had to fight him. He had to fight somebody who was throwing back.”
McGregor comported himself admirably against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in “The Money Fight” in 2017, losing by standing TKO at 1:05 of the 10th round. Since then, “Notorious” has been lobbying for a rematch with Mayweather, arguing that he was unprepared for the style Mayweather employed. Mayweather, for his part, has retired from active competition but apparently McGregor isn’t buying it as Conor responded to Tyson’s praise of him, thanking the former champion and promising to avenge his defeat in the future.
Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd.
I promise my life on it.
It is great to see you back Iron Mike ❤️ https://t.co/NDrVnEaukm
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 15, 2020
A rematch with Mayweather will have to wait for now though. McGregor is committed to reclaiming the UFC lightweight title this year. Should he accomplish that goal though, there will be no shortage of boxing offers for him.
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VIDEO STEW
What the Heck with Calvin Kattar, Shane Burgos, and Diego Ferreira.
An inside look at training camps during COVID-19.
Top 10 MMA lightweights of the 2010s.
Free fights.
Chael going in on Anthony Smith’s corner.
Ali calling for Tony to retire.
LISTEN UP
Severe MMA. Discussing UFC Jacksonville and looking at UFC on ESPN 8.
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Angela Hill and Aljamain Sterling.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Statement.
Everyone is arguing about good stop, bad stop, bad corner, good corner…blah blah blah. I’m still winning. I’m good, and I’m exactly where i need to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. All that time spent worrying about me needs to be spent somewhere a little more productive. ♂️ #Lionheart
Interesting.
Who would you guys consider the quicker and more technical striker Thiago Santos or Francis? If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane. I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 14, 2020
If you think you can handle my technique level that’s fine ♂️ but I agree with you that you don’t have anything to prove in LHW division and that this should be for bags https://t.co/PtD04F3aSl
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 14, 2020
Reyes.
Cant help but feel flattered by Jon doing literally anything he can think of to avoid the rematch. #gimmethegold #badman #skillz #speed #power #ufc #lhw
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 15, 2020
I mean I get it I’m the most dangerous fight. So let’s get these $$$ up!
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 15, 2020
What are you even worried about $$$ for, arent you “rich as fuck” ?
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 15, 2020
Gaethje on Conor.
Isn’t it ironic that this dude is on his knees. Careful @thenotoriousmma you are losing your clout. Poirer sitting there ready to go like I was for the last 3 years. #gaethjevskhabib @tmz_tv
Jacare’s statement on positive COVID test.
Fiquei muito triste por não poder lutar no UFC 249, mas quero que saibam que, assim que estiver liberado, espero remarcar minha luta com o Uriah Hall para que eu possa dar o show que todos esperam. Agradeço aos meus corners pela parceria, meu adversário pelas palavras de apoio e ao @ufc pelo cuidado. Obrigado a todos pelo carinho e pelas mensagens que tenho recebido nos últimos dias. Nas próximas semanas estarei recluso com minha família e treinadores e focado em nossa saúde para logo poder estar de volta. Muito obrigado! I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects. I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care. Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon. Thank you!
Damn. Niko Price is quick to mend.
Healing up like wolverine #ufc #battlewounds pic.twitter.com/byG2tAK4OH
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) May 14, 2020
Chase Sherman getting that sponsorship.
Congrats on the win @ChaseShermanUFC, your next 11 wings are on us! https://t.co/tCv8e8a4Z1
— Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) May 14, 2020
Respect.
I hope hunter is ok and healthy after last night. I’m also happy that he earned the 50k bonus as well. I know he’s got a new baby to take care of. Tough guy has a bright future. @HunterAzure
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) May 14, 2020
Salty.
On another note. How did I get bumped from p4p top 15 in favor of Woodley?! Dude didn’t even show up to his last fight. #wtf #UFC #p4p
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 15, 2020
Sentimentality runs deep in combat sports.
Thoughts?
Take my money now #TysonHolyfield3 #IronMike #TheRealDeal pic.twitter.com/id8CDBOJaA
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) May 15, 2020
Also, heavyweight division better watch out.
Don’t miss our @hotboxinpodcast episode tonight at 6pmPT YouTube.com/miketyson
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Giga Chikadze (9-2) vs. Irwin Rivera (9-4); UFC on ESPN 8, May 16.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all on Monday.
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