Conor McGregor dad Tony McGregor speaks on whether race is an issue in his son’s boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.

Racism is still alive, no doubt about that. Maybe it’s not as bad as it used to be years ago, but to deny it’s existence in 2017 would be naive.

Conor McGregor is no racist though. Not by a long shot. Allegations of him being a racist are down right ridiculous.

But will race play a part in August 26th’s mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor? That perhaps is a much broader, more complex question to answer.

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As the most popular sportsmen in their respective sports, boxing and MMA, Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor whether they like it or not are role models for not just aspiring young fighters around the world – but young people around the globe period.

What they say and how they conduct themselves have far reaching consequences on how young people can perceive the correct way to behave.

As far as race being a part of the fight and indeed it’s context in wider popular culture, Conor McGregor dad Tony McGregor spoke on ESPN on the issue saying:

“This fight is not about race.”

Panellists on ESPN than began to discuss the sensitive topic in-depth in a public debate and conversation here: