Sports

No Matter Who Wins Mayweather-McGregor, the Biggest Loser Is HBO

The final bout of Money Mayweather’s career is also his last chance to stick it to the doubters one more time.

Dana White on Mayweather-McGregor Fight

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By Brin-Jonathan Butler

August 25, 2017 at 12:37 PM UTC

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s defensive genius has made him the easiest boxer in history for opponents to miss. Early on, it was the high-powered promoters and executives who failed to accurately assess his earning potential. Money Mayweather still hasn’t forgotten.

For the last bout of his career, Mayweather is avenging the perceived slights he suffered at the beginning of his illustrious career. Renowned as a fiendishly driven gambler, the greatest bet Mayweather placed was the $750,000 he laid down on himself in 2006, when he rejected an $8 million contract for a fight and bought out his contract with Top Rank in order to promote himself. Though his opponent this weekend will be MMA star Conor McGregor, a welcome ancillary target for Mayweather is HBO.