Fight will fail to live up to billing

Last week’s announcement of Floyd Mayweather’s 50th fight against UFC star Conor McGregor sent the sporting world crazy.

A bout between one of the greatest boxers of all time and the UFC’s current golden boy is one that it seems many fans will be hotly anticipating.

There is just over two months until the two legends square off against each other in front of a sellout Las Vegas crowd but this multimillion pound fight will dominate the headlines right up until August 26.

The story is perfect and it is a fight which needs no promotion.

Mayweather, who ‘retired’with a 49-0 record which matched Rocky Marciano up against the two weight UFC champion – and the richest man in mixed martial arts – McGregor.

This bout has been in the pipeline for the last 18 months and constant teases from McGregor have led fans to believe it was official long before last week.

Some experts anticipate that both fighters could cumulatively make $1 billion from the fight and surpass the pay-per-view record number of buys.

The current highest – 4.6 million – is held by Mayweather for his fight against Manny Pacquaio but with intrigue from two sports it seems highly likely the number will surpass that.

Whilst the build-up will be as entertaining as it always is when the enigmatic McGregor is in town, I can’t help but feeling the fight will fall flat on his face.

The excitement surrounding the bout seems to be over how McGregor will be able to adapt to a more disciplined style of fighting and in a potential 12 round clash.

Make no mistake, Mayweather has it all to lose here.

The payday will be brilliant but his legacy is on the line.

At 49-0 he seemed to be content with matching Marciano’s record and would frequently refer to himself as the greatest boxer of all time.

A defeat here and not only does that perfect record go, but what he leaves behind will be remembered in a different way.

As for his Irish opponent, taking this fight was a no-brainer.

A defeat and you go back to UFC where you rule the roost and will continue to do so anyway.

A victory and your fame