McGregor has Holm backing

– American MMA fighter Holly Holm has backed Conor McGregor (above) to cause Floyd Mayweather problems after their cross-over boxing showdown was confirmed.

Ireland’s McGregor will be the heavy underdog against 49-0 Mayweather, but Holm knows a few things about upsets after she ended Ronda Rousey’s unbeaten run with a brutal knockout in 2015.

“I’m one of those who believes in being able to cross over,” said Holm, a former boxing world champion, ahead of her UFC fight in Singapore tonight.

“Boxing is a whole different world, but Conor really believes in himself.”

Mayweather and McGregor will face each other over 12 rounds at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on August 26.

Neither has fought this year. Mayweather, 40, retired from pro boxing in 2015 after defeating Andre Berto, while McGregor (21-3) beat Eddie Alvarez last November.

Mayweather is the strong favourite but Holm, who will face Brazil’s Bethe Correia in Singapore, said fights can be unpredictable.

“Anything can happen, that’s why I like to watch from the outside,” the American said. – AFP

Singapore