Mayweather Tried to Bet $400K on Himself

Floyd Mayweather Jr. bet his reputation and his unblemished record on Saturday's bout with Conor McGregor—and he tried to bet plenty of cash as well. Sources say he tried to bet $400,000 on himself ahead of the fight, but ended up leaving the sportsbook at the M Resort in Las Vegas in frustration. Mayweather tried to place bets on himself to win in under 9.5 rounds and to win by a knockout, the sources say. Nevada does not prohibit boxers betting on themselves, but insiders say there were worries about whether it was legal to place a bet on something more complicated than a straight win.

Mayweather gave up because placing the bets was taking too long. He would have won both, adding to an estimated $200 million haul. "I gave my guy six figures to go bet," Mayweather told ESPN after the fight. "I have to make sure he bet because earlier today I went to the sportsbook to bet and they wouldn't let me bet." He later said he gave the friend $400,000, but he was only allowed to bet $87,000. The defeated McGregor, meanwhile, is expected to make at least $90 million from the bout, including merchandise sales and sponsorship, USA Today reports. The Irishman brought a bottle of "Notorious Irish Whiskey" to a post-fight press conference and said he plans to launch his own line of liquor soon. (More Floyd Mayweather Jr. stories.)