Boxer Floyd Mayweather and UFC fighter Conor McGregor appear in Las Vegas ahead of this weekend's big fight.
Conor McGregor is picking a first round knockout win in his mega money fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Both pugilists came together in a fight promotion on Tuesday (NZT Wednesday) and got into an unplanned confrontation before promising to knock each other out in their highly anticipated boxing clash this weekend.
Bodyguards kept them apart and both fighters were smart enough not to do anything to jeopardise their immense paydays from what could be the richest fight ever.
McGregor would go on to explain that he will bring down Mayweather with an uppercut or a hook wrapped around the temple. "I think he'll fall off a hook around the temple even if he catches it on the glove - it'll rattle his brain," McGregor said.
Conor McGregor can't resist telling media what shot he thinks will knockout Floyd Mayweather Jr in their mega fight.
Mayweather was more workmanlike in his attitude. "It's work," Mayweather said when asked if he was having fun. "My job is to be a fighter."
McGregor claimed on Tuesday (NZT Wednesday) the boxer was getting desperate in making comments about his weight and stamina.
"Let him keep praying about weight and fatigue. All he's doing is praying," McGregor said. "But he's praying to the new god of boxing."
The crowd for one of the final promotional events was small and not terribly vocal, especially after waiting an hour or two in immense heat to see the fighters.
There was no one in line at T-Mobile Arena's three ticket windows in the US city of Las Vegas, where plenty of expensive tickets remain for the bout.
The big money for the two fighters will come from pay-per-view sales, and early indications are that it could break all records. Some 50 million people may watch in the United States alone, with millions more tuning in worldwide.
Estimates vary wildly, but Mayweather could pocket US$200 million (NZ$277m) while McGregor might make US$100m (NZ$138m).
The promotion has been more circus-like than anything, but both boxers said they were serious about putting on an explosive show on fight night.
"This fight is not going to go the distance," Mayweather said.
"I believe I'll knock him out early, one or two rounds," McGregor said.
Both fighters seemed relaxed and confident, just days away from a fight that seemed improbable at times and impossible at other times. Yet they will meet under boxing rules in a scheduled 12-round fight that matches a UFC champion who has never boxed professionally against the master defensive fighter of his time.
McGregor said it was just another progression in his fighting career, and chided Mayweather for saying he hopes the referee does his job and doesn't allow McGregor to try any mixed martial arts moves against him.
"I may make him beg me to follow the rules," McGregor said.
While looking as fit as ever and insisting he is taking the fight seriously, Mayweather said he will be doing meet-and-greet experiences every night living up to the fight at his new strip club just off the Las Vegas Strip.
"I'll be at the Girl Collection every day this week," he said. "Every day."
Photo by: ETHAN MILLER/ GETTY IMAGES Caption: Conor McGregor arrives for the fight promotion in Las Vegas.