Seconds out... boxers make fight predictions
LOCAL BOXING LEGENDS TELL M.E.N. SPORT WHOSE CORNER THEY’RE IN
IT’S the fight that has polarised opinion in the boxing world and beyond.
Unbeaten ring legend Floyd Mayweather – who has won all his previous 49 bouts – is coming out of retirement to take on MMA star Conor McGregor in a mega-fight in Las Vegas in the early hours of tomorrow morning – generating an estimated $500m for the stars. But should it be happening? We asked local boxing heroes what they think about the fight everyone is talking about...
Ricky Hatton, former two-weight world champion who fought and lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2007
“I don’t want to offend any of my Irish fans as I know that Conor is hugely popular in Ireland, but I just don’t see how he can possibly beat Floyd.
“Nobody would be happier than me if he did but I just can’t see it. Canelo, Manny and Oscar, and even me – none of us could solve the puzzle.
“Floyd is possibly one of the greatest boxers of all time and he’s facing somebody who has never boxed professionally.
“I get that it’s an event, and for that people will tune in for the novelty. I see a one-sided win with Floyd winning, or even Floyd putting on a show and stopping Conor.”
Anthony Crolla, former WBA lightweight world champion
“I still can’t get my head around the fact it’s happening.
“It’s an amazing story that four years ago Conor was picking up a welfare cheque and now he’s earning upwards of £100m.
“I went to a UFC event in Manchester where he told me it would happen and that’s when I first started to believe it could.
“But as for the fight itself, I’m a massive Conor McGregor fan but I don’t give him even the slimmest of chances. People say he’s got a puncher’s chance but some of the best boxers, the likes of Canelo and Manny Pacquaio, haven’t got near him, so how will McGregor?
Terry Flanagan, current WBO Lightweight world champion
“I think it’s a bit of a farce to be honest. But if you were Conor McGregor you’d jump at the chance. If you asked any boxer would they fight Conor for that sort of money – of course they would. Anyone who’s against it is just jealous. I’ll definitely be watching.
“I think once Mayweather finds his rhythm and timing it could become quite a boring fight.
“Once Conor feels a few of his short, sharp right hands he’s not going to walk into many more.”
Michael Bisping, current UFC Middleweight Champion
“I’m not saying it’s a mismatch because Conor is an amazing fighter, but Floyd is 49-0 and Conor has never boxed before.
“Conor doesn’t move like a boxer though and I think his unorthodox style might well be his biggest advantage.”
Joe Gallagher, acclaimed trainer who works with Anthony Crolla, Callum Smith and previously with Scott Quigg, among others
“It’s a bit of a circus to be honest. If I tried to put a kid with no professional fights in against Anthony Crolla for instance, who’s had 40 plus fights, there’s no way the British Boxing Board of Control would allow it.
“It’s an event for people to enjoy, and I think they will enjoy it. But is it a proper fight? No.
“But you’ve got to respect what Conor has done, what he’s achieved.
“Through his attitude, he’s talked his way into the fight and he’s made people think twice and think he might have a chance.
“But for me there’s only ever going to be one winner. Floyd has been in with some truly world class fighters and they’ve barely laid a glove on him.”
Jamie Moore, former European and British light middleweight champion now Sky Sports pundit
“Is it a proper fight? I don’t really think this should go on
“But no one can begrudge anyone else earning $100m. Neither could turn that down. And I’m really intrigued by it and am looking forward to watching it.”
Tyson Fury, former unified heavyweight champion of the world
“I think McGregor will do him in one round.
“I think he will knock him out inside the first 35 seconds like he did to Jose Aldo, to be honest.”