With the countdown to Conor McGregor’s fight against Floyd Mayweather close, the World Boxing Council introduced the Money Belt as the prize the fighters would be competing for.
The belt is made of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and solid gold mounted on snakeskin leather – it continues the theme of riches that has surrounded the build-up to this unique bout.
There's a money belt up for grabs at #MayweatherMcGregor this Saturday! 💰 pic.twitter.com/jXlPuXW307
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 23, 2017
With McGregor reportedly in for a minimum purse of £59 million, Mayweather looking at £78 million, and the BBC reporting that the fight could earn around £469 million, is the belt one step too far?
It certainly fits in with the tone that has been set already.
Mayweather’s fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2015 grossed nine-figure purses for both fighters, and there is talk that the undefeated boxer’s bout with the UFC star could break pay-per-view records.
However, one comparison that those who had seen the Money Belt made, was between the new prize and an older one, that of former wrestler Ted DiBiase, whose belt was known as the Million Dollar Championship.
Here he is, proudly holding the belt in question – it’s got a similar vibe to the Mayweather v McGregor belt, hasn’t it?
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With that in mind, is the Money Belt an embarrassment to boxing?
Gud to see Boxing have got the lend of Ted Dibiase Million Dollar belt for the Mayweather/Mcgregor fight. #farcical
— Aidan McCarron (@aidanwyliemcc) August 24, 2017
The only certainty is that whoever wins is going to have a lot of precious metal around their waist when they go home.
