Monday 7 August 2017 10:22, UK
World golf No 4 Rory McIlroy has labelled Conor McGregor "one of the mentally strongest people in sport" ahead of the Irishman's Las Vegas showdown with Floyd Mayweather.
UFC double-champion McGregor and five-weight world boxing champion Mayweather came face to face for the first time on Tuesday as they began their promotional world tour ahead of their bout at the T-Mobile Arena on August 26.
The pair traded insults inside a packed out Staples Center, and despite having never boxed on the professional circuit, McGregor predicted he will claim a fourth-round knockout win against the currently unbeaten Mayweather.
"I watched the press conference last night, it was so funny. He is probably one of the mentally strongest people in sport right now," McIlroy said.
"I've watched a lot of Conor McGregor's press conferences, not just for the comical factor I guess, but more mentally he is so strong.
"He says 'I see what happens in my mind and it happens'. The mental game in golf is massive and the mental game in what they do is massive as well, not being intimidated.
"From where he was four years ago to where he is now, not just the stature and the brand, just his mindset, he is mentally very strong. But that press conference was hilarious."
