Conor McGregor refuses to condemn Floyd Mayweather over homophobic slur
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor(Photo by Getty Images)
Conor McGregor has defended rival Floyd Mayweather after he used a homophobic slur in a press conference.
The MMA fighter and professional boxer are on a press tour this week to promote their upcoming boxing match.
At their event in London on Friday, Mayweather branded McGregor a ‘faggot’.
Mayweather had accused his rival of racism, before shouting: “You punk. You faggot. You ho!”
He had claimed: “Racism still exists. It’s all about treating people like you want to be treated. To get respect you must give respect.
“He totally disrespected black women. He called black people monkeys. Then he spoke disrespectfully to my mother and he spoke disrespectfully to my daughter.
“There are certain levels you don’t stoop to and certain levels you just don’t go to. I love everybody from all walks of life.”
McGregor refused to condemn the slur.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, he said: “I actually didn’t even hear that… [but] people are so touchy on words. It’s absolutely crazy.
“If he said that, I couldn’t give a (expletive). I think what he was trying to do was to switch it up and get the people back in his favour.
“I think it was a bit of a (expletive) move to try and instigate that on me.”
He added: “Everyone with a sane mind that is watching knows what way it is. It is what it is. Some dirty tactics out there, but that’s what to expect. The fight game is a ruthless business.”
Mayweather was previously caught on tape in 2010 referring to boxer Manny Pacquiao as a “faggot” several times.
He later apologised.
Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose previously sparked an online backlash last year after posing for a photo with Mayweather.
The boxer was jailed for domestic abuse in 2012.
