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Mayweather: McGregor 'shouldn't have even went 12 rounds' with Malignaggi

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Floyd Mayweather has seen the tape, and as far as he's concerned, it's Conor McGregor - not Paulie Malignaggi - that has some explaining to do.

The undefeated boxer spoke to the media ahead of next week's date with McGregor in a Thursday conference call, and when asked about the now infamous footage of his foe appearing to get the better of Malignaggi in a recent sparring session, he stated the video was more of an indictment on McGregor than Malignaggi, who called it a career in March.

"We're sitting here judging Paulie, a guy that's been retired and just commentating and traveling the world, not going to the gym at all, going in there with a guy that's just working out - an athlete, period, that's just working out," Mayweather said, according to Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting. "Every day, every day. Honestly, it shouldn't have even went 12 rounds with a young guy that's an athlete."

Mayweather didn't dish on whether he thought McGregor dropped Malignaggi or shoved him to the canvas in a session that saw the Irishman get docked two points by seasoned ref Joe Cortez, according to Malignaggi, but he was quick to point out a number of illegal tactics McGregor resorted to in just a few seconds of footage.

"I had a chance to see it and my thoughts is, it was real interesting. But, you know, a lot of rabbit punching, illegal rabbit punching behind the head. A lot of shots were illegal. A lot of grappling, a lot of wrestling, a lot of illegal shots. That's just my honest opinion.

"I'm pretty sure the referee is going to be fair on both sides. I want the referee to be fair and treat both competitors - myself and Conor McGregor - (the same). Be even and treat us fair. I just want to have a good solid fight."

Mayweather tipped his hat to McGregor and Co. for enlisting Cortez's services in preparation for their blockbuster, and maintained the third man in the ring wouldn't influence his performance.

"He had Joe Cortez in his training camp, which is a great thing. Even though he had Joe Cortez in his training camp, I still seen him being extremely dirty. But my job is not to worry about the referee, my job is to go out there and fight and let the referee do his job."

Robert Byrd will join Mayweather and McGregor in the ring on Aug. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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