All the stars came out for Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ Wembley showdown.
The ringside area was filled with familiar faces including two-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford and British heavyweight titan Tyson Fury.
Both men received a warm welcome from the capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium.
But the biggest roar was reserved for Conor McGregor, who emerged from the tunnel with a cigar in his mouth just after Hamzah Sheeraz’s blistering stoppage win over Tyler Denny in the co-main event.
McGregor has been over in America promoting his alcoholic beverage, Forged Irish Stout, but flew to the English capital this afternoon to witness the feel of a big stadium show in the United Kingdom.
“You know, stadium shows I’ve been aspiring for a stadium show myself,” he told the DAZN broadcast as he walked into the stadium.
“It seems like the UK branch is the only branch in combat sports that does it, you know.
“And in particular, Eddie [Hearn], Barry [Hearn] and [Anthony] Joshua, I think this is maybe their seventh or eighth stadium show. No one else is really doing it.
“I wanted to see it for myself in the flesh and you know this is the biggest one yet and I’m excited to be here and see it.”
McGregor had campaigned for his comeback fight with Michael Chandler to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – the home of NFL side, the Dallas Cowboys.
However, the contest ended up landing at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on June 30 until it eventually collapsed.
The pair were supposed to headline UFC 303 but McGregor pulled out of the contest with a broken toe.
McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier during their trilogy bout at UFC 264 in July 2021.
And it doesn’t look as though he will return to the Octagon until 2025.
McGregor and Chandler both called for their fight to take place in December, yet UFC president Dana White stated that ‘Notorious’ wouldn’t be fighting again until next year.
With McGregor in limbo, Chandler has been booked to face Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 309 on November 16.
In a video posted on his Instagram explained his decision to face Oliveira next: “Now I get the opportunity to fight Charles Oliveira, become the No. 1 contender, and then I’ve got options.
“If Conor can finally get his house in order, if he can finally string together a couple of sober days, string together a couple of days where he’s actually training and actually feeling good.
“And he can actually finally make good on his promise to make the greatest comeback in combat sports history, if he can finally pony up, then I will fight Conor after I dispatch of Charles Oliveira.”
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News Summary:
- Conor McGregor holds cigar in star-studded ringside seat next to Terence Crawford and Tyson Fury as he reveals reason for flying in for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight
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