Leonard Ellerbe: Conor McGregor using Mayweather’s name as marketing ploy

For as many times as I’ve thought the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor storyline has run its course, it manages to remain a topic of discussion. And with McGregor now applying for, and being granted, a boxing license in California, talk of a potential Mayweather-McGregor fight is once again in the headlines — even though it’s highly improbable to ever happen.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael reached out to Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe to get his take on McGregor’s recent move, and Ellerbe insists it’s all just a promotional scheme on McGregor’s behalf to build his fan base and brand.

Aside from pointing out the obvious — that McGregor is under contract with UFC who would be remiss to risk their biggest attraction against Mayweather in a boxing match, particularly considering its new ownership — Ellerbe also states:

"What McGregor is attempting to do is take a page out of Floyd's book from the marketing and promotional side by using his name. The quickest way to become famous is to align yourself with another famous person, and he's done a good job of that.

"He has a good little hand game, a superior hand game compared to the UFC fighters he is competing with but fighting Floyd Mayweather is a whole other story," Ellerbe said. "That bulls--- you're throwing over there in UFC would get you killed against Floyd."

Taking into account that getting a combat license is California simply requires completing a short application, passing a medical exam, and paying a $60 fee, it’s probably safe to say we shouldn’t read too much into this move by McGregor.