FINALLY, we have confirmation.
After what seemed like years of waiting, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have put pen to paper to fight on August 27th (AEST) in what is being tipped to be the highest-rating pay-per-view boxing event in history.
The UFC lightweight champion has a lot on his plate to give Floyd — the greatest defensive boxer to ever grace a ring — a run for his money.
The fight, which is expected to bring in upwards of $ 100 million for each fighter, has already been slagged off by boxing purists as a farce.
The financial benefits for McGregor are clear. The 28-year-old has earned roughly $ 9.5 million from fights in the UFC, a pittance to what he could have in his wallet upon stepping into the ring in August.
Mayweather, on the other hand, is 40 and semi-retired.
Boxing expert Paul Upham says McGregor doesn’t have a chance, citing his “novice” skills in the ring as a major problem.
The FOX Sports commentator made a huge call for the fight upon its announcement yesterday.
“Mayweather won’t lose a round, he won’t even lose a minute,” he told SEN’s Hungry for Sport. “It’s going to be such a sideshow and people will complain. If McGregor wins it will be one of the great sporting upsets of all time.”
While McGregor has one inch height advantage and an extra two inches of reach over Mayweather, Upham says the senior will have it all over his opponent when it comes to technique.
“We’re doing some digging into (McGregor’s) past, we’ve seen some footage of him boxing — he’s not very good,”
Instinct plays a huge role in the ring. When the first punches are thrown and countless fans are screaming, it’s hard to say what each fighter will do. Upham said a tiny brain snap from McGregor returning to his natural instinct as a mixed-martial artist could put months of planning and a potential upset win down the drain.
Pure instinct could be McGregor’s downfall.Source:Getty Images
“The thing I wonder is with McGregor in the heat of battle, because he’s used to throwing legs,” he said.
“It is quite possible McGregor will get disqualified. I would say it’s possible. How disciplined is he coming into boxing?
“McGregor is a complete novice when it comes to boxing. He’s a great of UFC, but this is a great business move for Mayweather.”
Upham said the move from Mayweather to boost his already bulging earnings purse was a handy move for the businessman, bringing himself into the gaze of millions of MMA fans and finding a new market.
“Mayweather is now opening himself up to new money,” he said.
“Crossover fans will love it, because McGregor is such a great mixed martial artist, but those skills won’t transfer over to boxing.
“Both have realised what a great way to make money this is. McGregor could land one lucky punch and knock Mayweather out — but no one has managed to do that yet.”
MCGREGOR INSIDER’S GRIM PREDICTION
It’s on.Source:Supplied
As the fight draws nearer, even those closest to McGregor are having severe reservations over his chance against Floyd Mayweather.
Former IBO welterweight champion Chris van Heerden, who is currently McGregor’s sparring partner as he prepares for the megafight, says he was able to land punches “at will” on the
Irishman in a session despite just coming back from a holiday.
When asked by TMZ whether McGregor had the knockout power to take Floyd out, the 29-year-old simply replied: “No.”
People telling me Mayweather will have his hands full trying to land on McGregor -STOP IT! I respect McGregor BUT i ain’t Floyd and i landed pic.twitter.com/gd4dFi3XUU
— Chris van Heerden (@TheHeat001) June 14, 2017
UFC RIVAL’S SAVAGE RESPONSE TO MEGAFIGHT
NATE Diaz is never at a loss for words, but especially when it comes to Conor McGregor.
Diaz handed McGregor his only loss in the UFC when he submitted the future lightweight champion by second round rear naked choke when they met last March.
Now after hearing news that McGregor is moving over to boxing to face 49-0 legend Floyd Maywether, he couldn’t help himself but to take a jab at the fight on social media.
“It’s gonna be a good fight for that No. 2 spot,” Diaz said about the fight.
The caption came along with a photo with Diaz celebrating his win while McGregor was still laid out on the mat.
To his credit, McGregor did avenge that loss to Diaz with a majority decision win at UFC 202 this past August to even the series up at one win a piece.
That being said, Diaz has never agreed with the decision and has taunted McGregor about the fight ever since.
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