Mayweather eyeing end of year for potential MMA debut

Floyd Mayweather has doubled down on a potential debut in four-ounce gloves.

After he and UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley stoked the fire on an MMA foray on numerous occasions, the currently retired pugilist recently told FightHype.com he's already set the proverbial wheels in motion, and a year-end debut in the cage isn't outside the realm of possibility.

"I started training already," Mayweather said. "Not the physical part, just the endurance parts. I've been running so far. Mayweather Promotions signed their first MMA fighter. So I'm thinking about fighting in the MMA. I've thought about it. I started training in Miami. I look forward to fighting probably at the end of the year. We don't know. Right now it's at 50-50, it's not 100 percent but I've already started training."

"I really don't know yet, but I'm very, very interested."

The undefeated boxer began teasing the move earlier this year following his August victory over UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in the ring, with president Dana White recently stating the pair would have to meet in the Octagon if they were to run it back. When asked if the teased foray would last longer than one bout, Mayweather remained noncommittal, but said he was open to taking White up on the suggestion.

"I can't really say how things are gonna play out. I'm a numbers man. I'm all about the numbers. If the number's like (a McGregor rematch), we can make it happen. One thing about me, I'm never ducking no fighters. I don't duck."

Mayweather - who stopped McGregor in the 10th round of their tilt - has claimed he'd need just six-to-eight months to prepare for the transition, and told FightHype he's relishing the opportunity to dazzle once more - albeit in much lighter gloves.

"I know right now I'm the biggest name in MMA, hands down. I know this. And the second-biggest name is Conor McGregor. I know this.

"It's all about entertainment. I love having fun. The first two or three rounds, I wasn't even doing anything, I was letting him do what he do. But in MMA it would be totally different because we don't have no shoes on and with four-ounce gloves on - you think I'm fast with eight-ounce gloves on, imagine how fast I'd be with four-ounce gloves on."

- With h/t to MMA Fighting