Floyd “Money” Mayweather loves Las Vegas and he’s known to enjoy placing some hefty wagers on sporting events. That’s part of the reason why he’s taking the upcoming Aug. 26 fight at 40 years of age, according to opponent Conor McGregor.
At a press conference Wednesday, the Irishman accused the 49-0 boxer of having a gambling problem and speculated that financial problems are motivation for him coming out of a roughly two-year-long retirement for the bout.
“I think he has a big-time gambling problem,” McGregor told reporters. “From seeing him, he gambles on halftimes and things like that. He shows what his wins are, never shows what the losses are. Maybe that’s why he is in this position he is in and he had to take this fight.”
According to a report from USA Today, Mayweather is looking to place a multi-million dollar bet on himself, possibly as much as $5 million at -400. He’d make $1.25 million profit if he took that line. Perhaps the relatively small bet is all about the spectacle, as Mayweather is said to be earning a nine-figure sum from the fight, assuming the PPV buys live up to expectations.
Mayweather reportedly has never bet on himself before, though people close to him have.
“You guys will see the ticket, don’t worry,” Mayweather said of his upcoming wager. “You guys will see the betting ticket. I can’t really say what’s the number, but I will bet something heavy. Will it be my biggest ever? Most likely.”
Such a wager from Mayweather himself would be welcomed by Las Vegas sports books. An estimated 95 percent of individual wagers have been placed on McGregor, who currently stands at about +350, and the books could lose some $50 million if the MMA fighter pulls off the upset (if the fight were held today). It would be even worse if McGregor scores an early T/KO win.
There’s still a lot of time for millions and millions of dollars in additional bets to come in, which could change the liability for the Las Vegas casino industry. McGregor opened at +1100 at one casino back in February, months before the fight was announced.
Content Credits: www.cardplayer.com
