LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Floyd Mayweather has accused Conor McGregor of “fighting dirty” in training, but is confident of a clean battle when the two men meet in tomorrow’s super-fight.

Mayweather told reporters at a recent press conference he believed mixed martial arts star McGregor had used illegal tactics in sparring sessions.

The undefeated former welterweight king, who is coming out of retirement to fight McGregor in Las Vegas, said he had spotted rabbit punches in footage of McGregor’s sparring session with Paulie Malignaggi.

McGregor, who has never fought in a professional boxing contest, appears to floor Malignaggi in the footage.

Mayweather, 40, was unimpressed.

“I had a chance to see it and my thoughts were, it was interesting,” Mayweather said of McGregor’s Malignaggi knockdown.

“A lot of rabbit punching, a lot of illegal shots, behind the head,” he added.

McGregor has hired veteran referee Joe Cortez during his training camp to help advise on boxing rules and ensure he fights clean.

“He’s had Joe Cortez in his training camp and I’ve still seen him being extremely dirty,” Mayweather said.

Veteran referee Robert Byrd will be responsible for managing the fight and Mayweather is confident he will maintain control of the contest. Byrd officiated in Mayweather’s 2013 win over Robert Guerrero in Las Vegas.

“I truly believe the referee is going to do a great job,” Mayweather said.

“The referee’s job is to keep the fight clean. He doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’m looking forward to following the Queensberry rules of boxing,” he added.

Mayweather retired from boxing in 2015 with a perfect 49-0 record to emulate former heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. A win against McGregor would see the welterweight become the only man to ever hold a perfect 50-0 record.

Mayweather insisted, however, that moving clear of Marciano’s historic benchmark was not on his mind.

“Even though this is my 50th fight, this is not my focus,” Mayweather said. “Rocky Marciano is a legend; he did it his way. I just like to do it the Mayweather way.”

…McGregor vows fast finish

Conor McGregor believes he will knock out Floyd Mayweather inside two rounds, but is ready for all scenarios when the two fighters clash in their eagerly anticipated super-fight tomorrow night.

Irish mixed martial arts star McGregor told reporters at a conference on Wednesday that a controversial switch to lighter gloves could lead to an explosive outcome in the encounter with Mayweather tomorrow night.

McGregor, who is widely seen as a massive underdog against undefeated former welterweight king Mayweather, predicted an early finish to the fight.

“Particularly with the eight-ounce gloves, I don’t believe he makes it out of the second round,” said McGregor, nevertheless expressing the hope that the fight would last longer.

“I don’t want people saying ‘Oh, it was a lucky punch’ and all that. Part of me is hoping maybe he can last so I can show some skill and dismantle him that way.

“But I do not see him absorbing the blows in the first few rounds.”

The charismatic 29-year-old said a gruelling training camp has taken him to “hell and back” and left him ready to face any kind of scenario inside the ring at the T-Mobile Arena.

“There is no way in hell that I’m not ready to fight in the deepest of trenches in this contest,” McGregor said.

“We are ready for both scenarios. I’m ready to go to war for 12 rounds and I’m ready to put him away early on.”

Ulimtate Fighting Championship President Dana White also believes the gloves switch could shape the outcome of the fight.

The move is widely seen as benefiting both fighters — Mayweather’s fast hands could be quicker with lighter gloves, while McGregor will be able to make his punching power more keenly felt, provided he can land a blow on his American opponent.

“I think it affects the contest a lot,” White said when asked if McGregor would be helped by the change.

“Yes, Floyd will be faster with eight-ounce gloves, but he’s more defensive. Conor hits like a truck, so smaller gloves help him big time. I think it absolutely does.”

McGregor, who was criticised for addressing Mayweather as “boy” during one event, dismissed suggestions that there was a racially tinged dimension to the duel.

“For me, it’s athlete versus athlete,” McGregor said. “I’m disappointed to hear the way it’s being portrayed. All I can do is stay focused on my craft and go out and put a performance for my fans.”