By Keith Idec

Skeptics probably will dismiss this as a promotional ploy to sway unconvinced consumers to pay their $100, but Floyd Mayweather Jr. has promised disgruntled customers they’ll be entertained by his fight against Conor McGregor.

Mayweather told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith during an interview that aired Tuesday night that this “can’t be a defensive fight,” not after all the buyer backlash caused by his victory over Manny Pacquiao two years ago. Mayweather won their 12-round fight pretty easily and the long-awaited welterweight championship showdown generated more than $600 million in overall revenue.

But the public’s displeasure with the lack of action in their infamous May 2015 fight tarnished the event, especially since it cost $100 to watch in HD. The 40-year-old Mayweather’s 12-round, 154-pound fight against McGregor – commonly considered a mismatch between the best boxer of this generation and a UFC star who has never boxed professionally – also will cost $100 in HD on pay-per-view August 26.

“This can’t be a defensive fight,” Mayweather told Smith. “I’ve gotta go to him. I have to go to him. I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do.”

When Smith asked why he feels he needs to go after McGregor, Mayweather replied, “Because I owe the public for the Pacquiao fight, since they wasn’t pleased with the Pacquiao fight. They’re gonna be pleased with this fight here.”

Mayweather (49-0, 26 KOs) also emphasized during the interview with Smith that he’s not the fighter he once was. That slippage, according to Mayweather, will lead to more action against a powerful southpaw who’s 11 years younger than him.

“I’m not the same fighter I was two years ago,” Mayweather said. “I’m not the same fighter I was five years ago. I lost a step. A fighter like Andre Berto isn’t even supposed to go the distance with Floyd Mayweather. But remember, I was 38. It’s obvious I’m slipping a little bit to even let a fighter like that go the distance with me. I’m not what I used to be.”

The undefeated five-division champion hasn’t boxed since he beat Berto by unanimous decision in September 2015. Nevertheless, Mayweather remains roughly a 6-1 favorite over McGregor, who has gone 21-3, including 18 knockouts, during an MMA career in which he was won UFC titles in two weight classes.

“I didn’t say I couldn’t fight,” said Mayweather, who has one knockout in 10 fights since he stopped Ricky Hatton in December 2007. “I just said I’m not the same Floyd Mayweather I once was.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for krikya360.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.