Conor McGregor insists criticism will spur him on in Floyd Mayweather fight

The UFC star will make his professional boxing debut against five-weight world champion Mayweather, who has been coaxed out of retirement for the fight in Las Vegas on Saturday week.

Although there has been a rush of money on McGregor, he remains the 3/1 underdog with Sky Bet to win the fight, with unbeaten Mayweather the odds-on 1/4 favourite.

McGregor has been criticised by much of the boxing fraternity - including Briton David Haye and world champion Terence Crawford - for his lack of skills, but the 29-year-old insists it is all just extra fuel for the fire.

"It's certainly motivating. The disrespect and the disregard to my skill set is disappointing," he said.

"I look at people so many times and their mind is closed. They've got a closed mind to how things can be done. It's a set way and there's no other way.

"Where if that was the case we'd never have reached across the waters and searched for other lands. And we'd never have went into space.

"You've got to have an open mind and you've got to realise that there are other ways and there is a time and a place for every single moment.

"You've got to give respect for other disciplines and other styles. Like for instance, fighting is a complex game. There is a time and a place for every single attack and every single move. It's about finding the correct timing for it.

"So when I hear the way they carry on and they disregard and disrespect, it is what it is. I use it as motivation and I look forward to going in and educating them."

McGregor is also confident he can last the scheduled 12 three-minute rounds - should the mega-money fight go the distance. It's 2/1 with Sky Bet that it will, 4/11 it won't.

With UFC championshiip bouts fought over five five-minute rounds, questions are being asked about his stamina and preparation.

"You've got to factor in there's not as much grabbing, but not to the extent of a mixed martial arts bout where you can end up on your back and you've got to tactically work your way back to your feet, which is very draining," he said.

"So we have adjusted some things and I feel absolutely amazing. I've done multiple 12-round fights in the build-up for this. We are more than prepared.

"I'm at peak physical condition at this moment, 10 days out. Now we are closing in on the weight-cutting phase, and then we weigh-in and we fight. So that's about it. I'm by the book."

McGregor has also refused to rule out boxing fomer two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi after their spat in training camp.

Malignaggi had been sparring with the Irishman but walked out when video clips were released showing him apparently being floored.

"Look, tell the kid to join the queue. Tell him to shut his mouth and join the queue will you?," he said.

"He got his ass whooped and he went sprinting and I don't know what you want me to say about the guy, but hey, there's a big list of people that want to get in there and try and fight me, so tell him to join the queue and we'll see what happens."

Related links

Sky Bet's latest Mayweather-McGregor odds
Big-fight boxing diary