'I'm half black': Conor McGregor fuels racism row as he faces off with Floyd Mayweather in New York.
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor during the New York Live Online Stream event to promote next month's fight Credit: USA Today.
BY Chris Graham
14 July 2017 • 10:33am
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Conor McGregor fuelled accusations of racism in New York on Thursday night as he faced off against Floyd Mayweather in the latest leg of their world press tour for next month's much-anticipated bout.
The fighters had confronted each other in Los Angeles and Toronto this week to promote their Las Vegas boxing match on August 26, with the Irishman stirring anger by telling Mayweather to “Dance for me, boy.”
Addressing the crowd in Brooklyn, McGregor said: "All of the media seem to be saying I'm against black people... Do they not know I'm half black? I'm half black from the belly button down."
One New York Times journalist commented: "Conor McGregor gave it his all but white guys still have yet to connect on the 'i’m not racist but' explanation."
McGregor, one of the biggest stars in mixed-martial arts, was clearly the fan favourite on Wednesday in Canada but quickly lost the crowd with his comments in Brooklyn.
Mayweather, for his part, produced some theatrics to live up the event, showering McGregor with dollar bills.
But both fighters and their promoters were booed at the Barclays Centre as the pair appeared to run out of fresh insults.
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'You can't even read': Conor McGregor roasts Floyd Mayweather in Toronto
How Conor McGregor took round one from Floyd Mayweather
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Watch: Mayweather vs McGregor - The stats
Mayweather v McGregor betting tips including a 20/1 offer on Mayweather to win
Conor McGregor fuelled accusations of racism in New York on Thursday night as he faced off against Floyd Mayweather in the latest leg of their world press tour for next month's much-anticipated bout.
The fighters had confronted each other in Los Angeles and Toronto this week to promote their Las Vegas boxing match on August 26, with the Irishman stirring anger by telling Mayweather to “Dance for me, boy.”
Addressing the crowd in Brooklyn, McGregor said: "All of the media seem to be saying I'm against black people... Do they not know I'm half black? I'm half black from the belly button down."
One New York Times journalist commented: "Conor McGregor gave it his all but white guys still have yet to connect on the 'i’m not racist but' explanation."
McGregor, one of the biggest stars in mixed-martial arts, was clearly the fan favourite on Wednesday in Canada but quickly lost the crowd with his comments in Brooklyn.
Mayweather, for his part, produced some theatrics to live up the event, showering McGregor with dollar bills.
But both fighters and their promoters were booed at the Barclays Centre as the pair appeared to run out of fresh insults.
Conor McGregor arrives for a news conference at Barclays Center Credit: AP
McGregor had bragged about the quality of his suits at the first two stops in Los Angeles and Toronto, but emerged sporting floral trousers and a robe he repeatedly claimed was polar bear fur.
Mayweather, who brandished a cheque for 100million US dollars in LA and in Canada carried out a backpack with a wad of cash in it, took to draping himself in an Irish flag for the second evening running.
McGregor had bragged about the quality of his suits at the first two stops in Los Angeles and Toronto, but emerged sporting floral trousers and a robe he repeatedly claimed was polar bear fur.
Mayweather, who brandished a cheque for 100million US dollars in LA and in Canada carried out a backpack with a wad of cash in it, took to draping himself in an Irish flag for the second evening running.
Floyd Mayweather drapes himself with an Irish flag at Barclays Center
The American was received with more chants of "pay your taxes" - in reference to reports he has asked the Internal Revenue Service for more time to settle his 2015 tax bill.
But the crowd also turned on McGregor, who in a bizarre rant took aim not only at Mayweather's financial situation but also rapper 50 Cent.
The mixed martial arts star finished by saying: "To come back here, where I made history, became the first fighter in history to win two UFC titles simultaneously.
The American was received with more chants of "pay your taxes" - in reference to reports he has asked the Internal Revenue Service for more time to settle his 2015 tax bill.
But the crowd also turned on McGregor, who in a bizarre rant took aim not only at Mayweather's financial situation but also rapper 50 Cent.
The mixed martial arts star finished by saying: "To come back here, where I made history, became the first fighter in history to win two UFC titles simultaneously.
Conor McGregor reacts as Floyd Mayweather Jr showers him with dollar bills Credit: AP
"Thanks to you all, I'm blown away by the support."
The Irishman, who at times during the earlier stops had appeared to get under Mayweather's skin, had no such luck in Brooklyn, where the American ignored the jibes and took selfies while McGregor barked in his ear.
Mayweather, who retired in 2015 with a perfect 49-0 record and having held world titles at five different weights, then responded by ridiculing McGregor for submitting in three of his 24 MMA contests.
"(He) didn't quit once, (he) didn't quit twice, (he) quit three time," Mayweather screamed with another volley of profanity.
"Thanks to you all, I'm blown away by the support."
The Irishman, who at times during the earlier stops had appeared to get under Mayweather's skin, had no such luck in Brooklyn, where the American ignored the jibes and took selfies while McGregor barked in his ear.
Mayweather, who retired in 2015 with a perfect 49-0 record and having held world titles at five different weights, then responded by ridiculing McGregor for submitting in three of his 24 MMA contests.
"(He) didn't quit once, (he) didn't quit twice, (he) quit three time," Mayweather screamed with another volley of profanity.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor are separated amid heated scenes in New York Credit: Getty
The 40-year-old then asked for the music to come on before labelling McGregor "a stripper" and throwing dollar bills over him.
The pair are scheduled to finish their media tour at SSE Wembley Arena at 7pm on Friday.
While boxing purists have denounced the fight as nothing more than a laughable cashgrab it has nonetheless captured the fascination of many fight fans.
The fight would seem an outlandish mismatch with Mayweather 49-0 stepping into the ring against McGregor, who will be making his professional boxing debut.
However, McGregor recalled similar predictions before he beat Jose Aldo to win the UFC featherweight title in late 2015.
"They said the same things then as they're saying now," he said.
"They said I had no chance. They said I'm in over my head. They said he kicks too hard. Too many weapons. The Irishman is going to fall short, he doesn't stand a hope. News Source
The 40-year-old then asked for the music to come on before labelling McGregor "a stripper" and throwing dollar bills over him.
The pair are scheduled to finish their media tour at SSE Wembley Arena at 7pm on Friday.
While boxing purists have denounced the fight as nothing more than a laughable cashgrab it has nonetheless captured the fascination of many fight fans.
The fight would seem an outlandish mismatch with Mayweather 49-0 stepping into the ring against McGregor, who will be making his professional boxing debut.
However, McGregor recalled similar predictions before he beat Jose Aldo to win the UFC featherweight title in late 2015.
"They said the same things then as they're saying now," he said.
"They said I had no chance. They said I'm in over my head. They said he kicks too hard. Too many weapons. The Irishman is going to fall short, he doesn't stand a hope. News Source
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