There are just three weeks to go until Conor McGregor’s clash with Floyd Mayweather, as boxing heads for uncharted waters. The MMA superstar’s move to the ring is sure to be fascinating, as the world awaits a bout that is likely to break all previous records for PPV buys, gate purse, etc.
As the two fighters prepare for their showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, most of the details are confirmed. However, the referee for the bout is yet to be announced.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McGregor’s striking coach Owen Roddy detailed how they may request an official for the fight.
“We’re still looking into our options.
“We know we can ask for our own ref, and they can ask for theirs. We’ll look into it, and see who we think would suit the fight.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission are the ones who determine the referee, and selected Kenny Bayless for Mayweather’s four previous fights.
Retired Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez has been working with the McGregor camp, overseeing some of his sparrings, but Roddy has played down suggestions that they may request his involvement.
“Joe comes in for fight simulation. Conor spars, and Joe refs the match like any ref would.
“That’s for us to become familiar with the process. That’s all it is.
“At this stage, we’ve had a ref for almost every spar, even back in Dublin. Conor has had so many spars in that regard – the ref wears full kit, goes through everything, then we spar. Joe is just the guy that we’ve been using because he was a great ref.”
In 21 days time, two of the highest-profile fighters in sport will step into a ring. While many are cynical about the event in the first place, it is likely to break records, regardless of the referee.
Read More About: conor mcgregor, floyd mayweather, news, referee, rumours
