McGregor is Irish and I am black, so I can’t say that I am well versed in what oppression the Irish has faced throughout the centuries. I will take McGregor’s word for it.
I do know in America in 2016, it is easier being Irish than Black. Floyd Mayweather pointed out a few things about racism and media coverage in sports.
Like most things Mayweather says some of it was spot on, some of it was apples to oranges. Here was McGregor’s response.
Floyd Mayweather, don’t ever bring race into my success again. I am an Irishman. My people have been oppressed our entire existence. And still very much are. I understand the feeling of prejudice. It is a feeling that is deep in my blood.
In my family’s long history of warfare there was a time where just having the name ‘McGregor’ was punishable by death.
Do not ever put me in a bracket like this again.
If you want we can organize a fight no problem.
I will give you a fair 80/20 split purse in my favour seen as your last fight bombed at every area of revenue.
At 27 years of age I now hold the key to this game.
The game answers to me now.
McGregor is BIG, but he isn’t Floyd Mayweather BIG. He isn’t even Ronda Rousey BIG. It is much easier to be outspoken, flashy, cocky and flash guns around when the color of your skin isn’t dark.
That is just a fact, so nothing that Mayweather said was incorrect in that vein. McGregor like Rousey before him, will attempt to use Mayweather to help promote themselves. There is nothing wrong with that, just be aware that is what is happening.