Freddie Roach, one of boxing's all-time great trainers, has confessed that he has been contacted by the camp of UFC superstar Conor McGregor over a potential coaching role.
The revelation comes amidst growing speculation over the possibility of a superfight between the Irishman and retired undefeated boxing king-pin Floyd Mayweather.
Both fighting personalities have fueled the reports with Mayweather admitting the fantasy bout 'may not be a rumour' and telling fans to 'keep your fingers crossed' at a meet and greet in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The comments from the man nicknamed 'Money' were quickly followed by a tweet from the man who goes by 'The Notorious' as he posted a mock-up staredown between the two with the tagline 'MMA vs Boxing'.
Roach, who coached Mayweather's opponent Manny Pacquaio in his last mega-fight, insisted he's heard nothing of a meeting between the two illustrious competitors but did admit McGregor's team had approached him about having some sessions.
'No [talk of Mayweather], just to train him,' Roach told Radio Rahim of BoxingScene.com.
'They did ask me if I'll train him. I said 'sure, bring him down.' I'd like to see [him], meet the guy and see what he has. He seems like a nice guy.'
Despite the buzz, the chances of a bout materialising still remains very slim, with the major problem, bar McGregor's watertight UFC contract, being the huge differences between MMA and boxing.
Asked whether he could get the current UFC featherweight champion in shape to go toe to toe with the with the greatest boxer of the modern era in a boxing ring, Roach accepted that it would be difficult.
'No, I don't even know what level he's at right now,' he said. 'I couldn't say that without working with him. He seems like a good kickboxer. That's all I've seen of him. But as a boxer, I've never seen him box.'
But while McGregor and Mayweather are both clearly in favour of at least building up interest in the clash, UFC president Dana White, who is currently at odds with the former, doubts the fight would take place.
'McGregor-Mayweather? No,' White told the LA Times on Friday. 'It'd be very hard to pull off. I've heard Floyd is on a worldwide vacation on Mayweather Air spending millions in every country he visits.'
Article courtesy of Daily Mail