McGregor accepts ‘challenge’ but De La Hoya says there isn’t one

Irish mixed martial arts artist Conor McGregor arrives for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has accepted Oscar De La Hoya’s challenge to a boxing match.

The only problem is that there was never any challenge as far as De La Hoya is concerned.

“I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya,” McGregor posted on Twitter Friday.

I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 7, 2020

McGregor’s tweet was a response to De La Hoya’s claim that he would knockout the former UFC featherweight and lightweight king in two rounds if both of them would figure in a boxing fight.

The 47-year-old De La Hoya, a retired six-division boxing champion, though, cleared his comments were just answers during a recent interview with Brian Campbell on CBS Sports’ “State of Combat” podcast and nothing more.

“For the record: McGregor, I never challenged you. I was just asked a question and I simply spoke the truth…” De La Hoya tweeted Saturday.

For the record: McGregor, I never challenged you. I was just asked a question and I simply spoke the truth… 🥊

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) May 8, 2020

The 31-year-old McGregor has fought only once inside the boxing ring when he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via TKO in 2017.