In a little under six-weeks, one of the greatest boxers of his generation will step into the ring in an attempt to make history by surpassing Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 career record. Standing in his way is a man making his professional boxing debut.
When you put it like that, it’s unsurprising that the vast majority of boxing’s icons are giving ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor no chance against the five-division world champion pugilist.
However, one of those greats believes that the UFC lightweight champion could get the job done – but admits that it would be a ‘disaster for boxing’.
Appearing on the Obviously Fight Talk podcast to analyse the August 26th mega-fight, former WBC bantamweight champion and Olympic silver medallist Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough spoke about the Irishman’s chances and confirmed his desire to work with him in the lead-up to the bout.
Find the latest Mayweather v McGregor odds on PaddyPower.com“He has a chance,” said McCullough. “I know he does, I’ve been reaching out to him to try and get him to come out and train with me.”
McCullough is known not-only for his boxing exploits, but for being one of the first high-profile boxers to embrace mixed martial arts in its early days.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’s trained an MMA fighter either. However, he explained why he’d be the perfect boxing coach to help McGregor’s cause.
“I’ve known Floyd Mayweather 20 years. He’s trained in Vegas in the same gyms,” explained the former world champion.
“I’ve spared him once, as well, so I know what he’s like. I’m not saying I have the formula to beat him, but I was taught by Eddie Futch how to dissect fighters and do certain things to make them look bad.”
McCullough was later asked how a McGregor victory would impact the boxing world, and he admitted that it would be a catastrophic result for the sweet science.
“If Conor wins it’s a disaster for boxing,” he admitted. “It’s a disaster. It really is, and I think he can win.”
Despite not committing to an actual prediction, the Belfast native did say that it will come down to the “technical stuff” and that McGregor along with his team will need the right game-plan to defeat the heavy favourite Mayweather.
Only time will tell if McCullough will have a hand in crafting that game plan.
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