Mayweather explains ticket disaster after UK debut in front of empty arena

FLOYD Mayweather claimed tickets going on sale too late was to blame for the awful turnout at his UK debut.

The ring icon, 46, fought Aaron Chalmers in an eight-round exhibition bout at London’s O2 Arena.

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It was the first time Mayweather has ever fought on British soil during a legendary career.

But the bout took place in front of a virtually empty 20,000-seat arena.

Then entire top tier was shut off for Saturday night’s card.

And the lower tier was no more than half full – meaning the attendance was likely under 5,000.

But Mayweather reckons the ticket-selling process was to blame for the poor turnout.

Speaking in his post-fight press conference, he said: “We did this in one month – not even four weeks.

“I think the tickets should’ve went on sale a lot faster.

“My new team is still learning. I have got to take my hat off to them, it’s not their fault.

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“It’s just when we fight in the US, as soon as we announce the fight, tickets are on sale.

“Here, we announced the fight and the tickets didn’t go on sale until a week or two weeks later.”

Mayweather added: “I don’t point fingers. We work together as a team.

“When you buy tickets over here, you don’t really want to spend money.

“In America we don’t mind spending money.”

Mayweather took on former reality TV star Chalmers in his British bow.

He stepped into the ring wearing the British flag on his shorts in a bid to appeal to his UK fans.

Speaking in the ring after the fight, he said: “I would like to thank all the fans in the UK.

“The United Kingdom is unbelievable – the UK is becoming the Mecca of boxing.

“Me and Aaron Chalmers had a chance to come together and we had fun for eight rounds.

“If the UK fans want me to come back, I’m coming back.”