Conor McGregor has responded to Oscar De La Hoya after the former world boxing champion said he will make quick work of the Irishman in a boxing match.
In a recent episode of CBS Sports’ State of Combat podcast, ‘The Golden Boy’ said he will knock out the Ultimate Fighting Championship star in the second round in a potential boxing showdown.
“Two rounds. Oh come on, brother. Two rounds. One thing about me is I went for the kill, always. Look, Conor McGregor — I love him in the Octagon, I respect him, I watch him all the time. But the boxing ring is a whole different story, it’s a whole different story,” De La Hoya said.
The American-Mexican boxer won six world titles in his 16-year boxing career and currently ranks 13th in the all-time pound-for-pound rankings.
In 2008, he retired from boxing after an eighth-round stoppage loss to Manny Pacquio to finish his career with a 39-6 win-loss record, with 30 of these victories coming by way of knockout.
Even at 47 years old, Oscar De La Hoya likes his chances in a boxing match with Conor McGregor.https://t.co/4ylJo5TNPO
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) May 4, 2020
Challenge Accepted
Meanwhile, McGregor fought as a professional boxer for the first time in August 2017, when he clashed with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a crossover bout dubbed as the ‘most lucrative fight in combat sports history.’
The Irishman suffered a 10th-round technical knockout loss to the undefeated American but took home the biggest paycheck of his career.
Reflecting on this defeat, Conor said: “I actually look at the Mayweather [fight], the shots on the bag and the way I was punching and I actually can’t event watch that. I shiver when I see the way I was throwing my punches back then. I just wasn’t sitting right on them, just floating through the air.”
In hopes to bounce back from this loss, McGregor is willing to share the ring with De La Hoya.
“I accept your challenge, Oscar De La Hoya,” McGregor said in a response to Golden Boy’s claim.
I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 7, 2020
Higher Power
The former UFC two-weight champion is back on top once again after scoring a massive knockout victory against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone last January or his first MMA win in two years, which could set him up to a potential rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
McGregor said it was his focus and dedication that allowed him to turn things around, following a winless campaign in 2017 and 2018.
“I ordered all my powers back to me and that order was followed. It is never too late to summon our powers and advance to higher ground. Never, ever too late! Whatever stage we are at.”
“There is always higher power and there is always higher ground,” the Irishman said.
Conor McGregor admits he 'shivers' when watching old boxing technique used in the built up to Floyd Mayweather fight https://t.co/9LXDEAlgD8
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) May 1, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Oscar De La Hoya)