Pride is on the line
machine, not a boxer. If the UFC champion wins, boxing will be seen as the weaker of the two combat sports.
“This guy (McGregor) is so unconventional,” Fenech said yesterday.
“He’s going to put his heart and soul into it. He’ll either get knocked out or he’ll knock Floyd out. It’s going to be closer than we think.
“Most of the boxers Floyd has fought have been a little but cautious. Not this guy.
“Sometimes I wonder why the bout was ever sanctioned considering one guy has never fought as a boxer.
“I guess money speaks all languages.”
Fenech fears the age and weight advantage will work in McGregor’s favour.
Plus the fact Mayweather hasn’t fought for two years and doesn’t appear to be taking the fight as seriously as one might expect.
In between training he’s spent most nights this week at his new strip club in downtown Las Vegas entertaining guests with his girls in lingerie. Fenech expects him to win but fears a boilover.
“McGregor’s going to be dangerous,” Fenech said.
“He’s 20 pounds bigger. He’s stronger. Floyd knows this guy is going to attack him. He’s trouble. And he can fight. People are thinking it can’t happen but it can.
“Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson. It happens. This guy’s one punch away from beating him. He’s 12 years younger and he’s crazy.
“He’s got mad confidence and believes in himself. I’m not saying he’ll win but anything can happen.”
Other commentators agree boxing could be the biggest loser, including Showtime’s senior fight analyst Steve Farhood.
“How much is expected of Conor McGregor,” he said.
“If he goes in, tries to win and fails, everyone is happy.
“He hasn’t hurt his brand at all. The whole experience of fighting the most famous athlete in the world is a posi- tive for him. He has won already. Whereas Mayweather has much more to lose.
“We don’t know what to expect from McGregor. We know Floyd, we know how he fights, we know his brilliance.
“We don’t know what McGregor is. To me, as a boxing guy, even if McGregor is slightly competitive, that is a victory for McGregor.”
Boxing vs UFC in a battle of the most brutal brands. On the world stage in the most famous fight city of them all.
“I think Floyd, even though he may not see it this way, is fighting for more than himself,” Farhood said. “There seems to be somewhat of a disrespect for boxing.”