Leonard Ellerbe on May-Mac glove change: 'Floyd wants him to have every advantage possible'

LAS VEGAS – Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe is pleased with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s (NSAC) decision to change the glove size for Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor next week.

Although Mayweather (49-0 boxing) was the one to truly push the narrative to reduce glove weight from 10 ounces to 8 ounces, it was ultimately the NSAC that unanimously voted to approve the “one-time exception” that would seem to give an advantage to the bigger, heavier McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in the Aug. 26 pay-per-view showdown at T-Mobile Arena.

That’s all part of the plan, though, according to Ellerbe, who said Mayweather wants McGregor to have as many positive ticks in his column as possible going into the fight. This is just another one.

“Floyd wants him to have every advantage possible that he can have,” Ellerbe told MMAjunkie after today’s hearing in Las Vegas. “Conor is a very confident young man, and I’m fully confident he’s going to lay it on the line. He’s representing not only the UFC brand, but he’s representing his country. He has the great fans from his country. They will be there backing him, and the millions of fans across the world will be tuned in watching this terrific event. We’re excited.”

Despite the fact 8-ounce gloves mesh closer to the 4-ounce fist protection UFC lightweight champion McGregor uses in MMA, it’s actually Mayweather who has more experience fighting in the newly approved glove size. Because of that, Ellerbe said he thinks the bout will look different than it would have otherwise.

“I think it will have an impact on the fight,” Ellerbe said. “From a fighter’s perspective, you’re more comfortable with fighting the smaller gloves. I’m pretty confident the fight will end in a knockout. Pretty confident. It’s something Conor wanted, something Floyd wanted, and both fighters got exactly what they wanted.

“Conor has guaranteed he’s going to knock Floyd out within four rounds. He just recently said he’s struggling to give him two rounds now. I fully expect him to be a man of his word and come out and be very aggressive in the small gloves. Floyd will be very aggressive, and it’s going to be a great fight. We’ve got a fight, ladies and gentlemen.”

For more on “The Money Fight: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor,” check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.