Seven entertaining sporting press conferences after McGregor-Diaz mayhem
Lee Gormley | August 18, 2016
Seven entertaining sporting press conferences
After colliding in March for what was the biggest pay-per-view in UFC history, Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will once again go head-to-head this weekend in their awaited rematch in Las Vegas.
‘The Notorious’ is aiming to avenge his shock defeat when the pair face-off at UFC 202 in the early hours of Sunday morning, and ahead of their anticipated second dust-up emotions boiled over at a recent press conference.
Things just got real between Diaz and McGregor at the UFC 202 press conference. pic.twitter.com/cxD8yYBl4W
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) August 17, 2016
McGregor, who is 11/8 with Coral to stop Diaz, turned up late for the presser, citing the Vegas traffic as his excuse, before his opponent stormed off stage to join his crew and send a verbal onslaught in the Irishman’s direction.
Bottles and cans were then thrown as UFC president Dana White was forced to call a halt to proceedings in front of the shocked media members.
Following the tensions flaring in the recent meeting between McGregor and Diaz, Coral look back at seven entertaining sporting press conferences that had the world talking…
Robbie Keane, 2015
Ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifying clash with world champions Germany last year, assistant boss Roy Keane and international skipper Robbie Keane lightened the mood with entertaining comments during their media duties.
Martin O’Neill’s right-hand man got the ball rolling with an interesting response to whether Ireland’s captain would feature in their encounter, after his wife had given birth.
Roy Keane says Robbie Keane will be available to play against Germany on Thursday night "unless he’s breastfeeding"
https://t.co/TCg2uaU2Cy
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 6, 2015
With a swift follow-up, skipper Keane comically returned serve with his own comments on the situation in front of the media, which you can watch right here…
Robbie Keane responds to Roys comments by saying he 'has bigger tits than me' brave guy pic.twitter.com/ULUpQuV04u
— Mitch Clarke (@mitch5clarke) October 7, 2015
Tyson Fury, 2015
As he prepared to take on previously dominant WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, colourful character Fury bizarrely caused quite a stir during his press conference, before the bout was rescheduled.
Klitschko’s challenger arrived in front of the media dressed as Batman and later wrestled another mysterious figure, who was seemingly donning a Joker outfit, to the ground in front of a stunned conference.
The Briton then went on to cause a major upset and be crowned heavyweight kingpin, and he is 15/8 to secure a second successive points decision win in their rematch which has been scheduled for late October.
ICYMi: Here's Tyson Fury, dressed as Batman, beating up the Joker. Madness. pic.twitter.com/Wo58Nm5BWl
— Coral (@Coral) September 23, 2015
Conor McGregor, 2015
As outspoken as ever, the UFC’s biggest mouth and most illustrious star McGregor was in full voice during a press conference for his earlier clash with former featherweight world champion Jose Aldo.
Having already heatedly come together before, the Dubliner tore into his Brazilian opponent and the rest of the MMA fighters present before colliding with Aldo. The Irishman eventually stopped Aldo in just 13 seconds in their bout, the quickest ever finish to UFC title fight in history.
Eric Cantona, 1995
Never one to shy away from the limelight, former Manchester United frontman Eric Cantona delivered one of the most bizarre one-liners at press conference, following his infamous Kung-Fu kick incident against Crystal Palace.
Watch here as the Frenchman offers the media his famous cryptic message regarding seagulls.
Alex Higgins, 1990
Following an altercation with an official, Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins tore into the media at his press conference during the 1990 World Snooker Championship, stutteringly announcing his intentions to quit the sport forever.
Watch as the Irish two-time world champion lays into those questioning him before storming off the stage in anger.
Jose Mourinho, 2004
Upon arriving for his spell in charge of Chelsea, a confident Portuguese coach under the name Jose Mourinho announced himself to the Premier League in a way only he could.
“I am the special one,” declared Stamford Bridge’s then-appointed boss, who has since taken charge of Manchester United.
Muhammad Ali, 1974
Muhammad Ali was possibly the greatest sportsman of all time and definitely the most entertaining, both in the ring and outside of it.
Before the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman, Ali pleads with viewers to go to their cinemas early as he will knock his opponent out in the first round.
Of course, ‘the Greatest’ did go on to win that bout, but in eighth round, and you can watch Ali trash Foreman beforehand right here.
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