Mayweather believes 'anything can happen' in fight vs. McGregor

Despite the enormous gap in professional boxing experience between them, Floyd Mayweather isn't counting out Conor McGregor.

In a clip posted by TMZ Sports, Mayweather was asked to respond to predictions that the UFC's marquee star wouldn't last long in a traditional boxing match, especially against a champion on the level of Mayweather.

The 40-year-old legend called McGregor a legitimate opponent, pointing to his highlight reel of knockouts inside the Octagon.

"Every time he goes out there and he defeats fighters, he's standing up defeating fighters," said Mayweather. "He's in a boxing position and he's beating fighters. When he did get defeated he was on the ground. So it's obvious Conor McGregor is a better stand-up fighter than he is a grappler.

"Does he have a good chance of upsetting Floyd Mayweather? I can't say, but anything can happen in the sport of boxing or contact sports period."

Mayweather and McGregor have traded shots back and forth on social media and their camps are currently embroiled in negotiations for a crossover bout. Both stand to make an enormous amount of money should the fight ever come together, and the last thing Mayweather is going to do is downplay the intrigue that "The Notorious" would bring to the ring.

"I can't sit right here and knock Conor McGregor," said Mayweather. "I'm not here to knock a guy - he's the second-biggest name (in combat sports). He went out there and done what he had to do, it's obvious he's done something right thus far to get to the point where he's at so I'm not here to badmouth him.

"And I've been off for a couple of years and I'm 40 years old now. He's still in his 20s, I'm in my 40s now. So that could play a major key, we don't know, and he's a heavy hitter, so we'll just see. Has he signed a contract yet? Absolutely not. In due time, we'll just see."