MacGregor vs. Mayweather is absolute mismatch
The real fun will come before the fight, and what a spectacle it should be. Put Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor on a stage together to promote their fight and anything can happen.
Put them together in a ring, though, and it’s an absolute mismatch.
That’s the first thing to consider when all the talk begins about what a devastating puncher McGregor is. The first thing to think about when it’s suggested that Mayweather may have lost some of his skills after two years of traveling the world in his private jet.
If you thought you were snookered out of $100 when Mayweather fought a snoozer against Manny Pacquiao, you might keep a firm hand on your wallet. The greatest defensive fighter of his time against a guy who has never thrown a punch in a pro boxing match? Let the yawning begin. This could be 12 rounds of tedium on Aug. 26 in Las Vegas that makes Mayweather-Pacquiao look like Hagler-Hearns in comparison. It might be some kind of bizarre disqualification when McGregor finds out Mayweather doesn’t stick his chin out to be hit the way some UFC fighters do or really does try to kick Mayweather when he’s down.
What it won’t be is any kind of legitimate fight, no matter how much rabid UFC fans want desperately to believe it will be.
That’s no knock on McGregor, who is a ferocious puncher in the octagon with a personality to match his power. Indeed, he would likely be heavily favored over Mayweather had the two decided to do the fight under UFC rules.
One of the great trash talkers, too, who was just warming up on Wednesday when he told UFC chief Dana White what his intentions are.
“Conor told me this morning the McGregor clan has been taking over villages for 300 years,” White said, “and that Floyd’s village is next.”
Good stuff, and there’s lots more to come. McGregor can turn a phrase as well as he can throw a punch or a water bottle at an opponent.
If this was a reality show it would be a hit in the ratings. Just imagine the scene when McGregor rolls into Mayweather’s new strip club in Las Vegas and mimics his propensity for throwing cash around.
But this is a boxing match, and Mayweather is a masterful boxer. He was throwing punches before he could walk, and if he had elected to stay in retirement he’d still be considered one of the top 10 fighters ever.
Two years out of the ring won’t change that. Age won’t be a factor, either, and Mayweather has never let himself get out of shape.
Oddsmakers in this gambling city understand that, setting the initial line at a whopping 11-1 in Mayweather’s favor. It would be even higher than that, but UFC fans will be lining up with $20 bills in hand to bet their man as an underdog.
“Realistically if we were just putting up a number and didn’t have to take bets on it, Floyd would be 100-1,” said Nick Bogdanovich, oddsmaker for the William Hill chain. /