UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather both stopped in New York City for the third of four stops on their worldwide media tour.
McGregor had been criticized in his first two presser appearances (Toronto & Los Angeles) for telling Mayweather to “dance for me.”
The Irishman wanted to put the rumors of him being a racist to an end during the NYC leg of the tour, something he personally addressed on stage.
“Lets address the race, a lot of media seem to be saying I’m against black people. That’s absolutely fucking ridiculous,” says McGregor.
However, the fighters statement on racism didn’t end there, because he took it one step further with the following statement.
“Did they not know I’m half black, I’m half black from the belly button down,” says McGregor.
At a post-fight scrum, Leonard Ellerbe and Floyd Mayweather Sr. didn't believe McGregor had crossed the line, while Mayweather Jr. had. McGregor on the other hand, seemed ignorant to the weight of his own words as pertains to his "boy" comment. Mayweather has been no stranger to racially-motivated hype, telling Filipino Manny Pacquiao to "make him rice and sushi" in 2010.
There will still be one more stop on the tour, which means McGregor will have just one more opportunity to address the racism claims if he wants to. After the final presser in London, the fighters will not come face to face again until the weigh-ins.
Conor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather takes place on Saturday, August 26 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
