Confirmed: Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather get 8oz gloves - and rap on knuckles for social media use
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) have sanctioned lighter gloves for the Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor 154-pound bout in Las Vegas on August 26 - and rapped both fighters on the knuckles for their use of social media.
Both men were scheduled to wear 10-ounce gloves but will now trade leather in eight-ounce mitts despite NSAC rules state that fighters competing over 147 pounds must wear 10-ounce gloves.
However, the NSAC voted unanimously in favour of a "one-time exception" for eight-ounce gloves, as if allowing McGregor, who has never boxed pro before meet one of the top boxers of all time on his debut, is not a "one-time exception".
NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell, slammed both camps for using social media to sell tickets, but admitted that they must "adapt to current issues". Mayweather has fought the majority of his career in 8oz gloves. McGregor uses 4oz mitts in MMA.
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Mayweather said: "He was complaining about the gloves, so I said, 'Listen, let's do eight ounces. I want to do anything so that you feel that you have an advantage. I want to make sure you're comfortable'."
The NSAC have also approved veteran Robert Byrd as the ref for the fight. Kenny Bayless looked like getting the shout to be the third man in the ring, but was ruled out because he questioned the validity of the fight. Bayless said he did not see the point of Mayweather fighting McGregor and was, according to the 'Los Angeles Times', ruled out on the basis of those comments.
McGregor's camp had also objected to Bayless but Bob Bennett of the NSAC insisted that this didn't influence their decision to not consider Bayless.
Irish Independent
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