Boxing: Floyd Mayweather admits UFC star Conor McGregor can beat him

Conor McGregor. Photo / Getty Images.

Floyd Mayweather has admitted the fact Conor McGregor is 12 years his junior and has a proven boxing style could open the door for the Irishman to win if they ever were to meet in the ring.

The two men have long been rumoured to be set to meet in a boxing match, which would see unbeaten Mayweather take on UFC star McGreagor in a contest which is said would net them each £100million.

While Mayweather is unbeaten in all 49 of his professional boxing contests, with McGregor only competing in the sport as an amateur, the American believes the UFC star's style proves he is a talented fighter who has earned his respect.

'Conor McGregor is the second biggest name in MMA,' Floyd said in a video posted by TMZ, having previously given himself the honour.

'So, I'm not gonna sit right here and knock Conor McGregor. He's gone out there and done what he's had to do. It's obvious he's done something right thus far to get to the point where he's at.

'I've been off for a couple years and I'm 40 years old now. So, I'm a lot older and he's still in his 20s and I'm in my 40s now. So that could play a major key, we don't know. And he's a heavy hitter.

'Every time he goes out there and defeats fighters, he's standing up. He's in a boxing position and he's beating fighters.

'Does he have a good chance of upsetting Floyd Mayweather? I can't say, but anything can happen in the sport of boxing.'

Mayweather was speaking following an evening out in Los Angeles with Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, after which he took a picture of himself traveling home with at least $350,000 in cash on his lap.

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There has of yet been no official confirmation of the proposed meeting between Mayweather and McGregor, with reports recently suggesting that negotiations have ground to a halt.

Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza said in an interview with Stitcher: 'It's largely at a standstill. There hasn't been a ton of progress and I think if they don't move relatively quickly, people may move on.

'People may tire of it. But it really is something that needs to happen this year or it probably won't happen.'