McGregor v Mayweather: Which side of the fence are you on?

The experts all have very different opinions on the clash. But who do you agree with?

By / Boxing, UFC / 7 years ago

Everybody and their mother has an opinion on the biggest combat contest taking place in Las Vegas in the T-Mobile Arena a week today.

The subject of many morning work journeys, the small talk at the barber shop, and the biggest talk shows worldwide are all speculating what the outcome could be of this intriguing battle.

The fight has captured not only the attention of both the boxing and MMA worlds, but the world in general. Thousands of articles have been written, and tens of thousands of interviews have been conducted; ranging from Conor and Floyd themselves, to the occupants enjoying the Dublin sunshine in Temple Bars’ finest Public houses.

What do they all have in common? They all disagree with each other.

Ask the majority of Boxing fans of McGregor’s chances come fight time, and you will be greeted with a Tsunami of facts and stats around Floyd’s defensive master class; counter striking, movement, beating the best boxers in his weight class, never been hit or in any trouble in 49 bouts and could beat McGregor with one hand tied behind his back.

When you ask one of the deadliest men to walk the planet “Iron Mike Tyson” he sees this as a one sided ass whooping:

McGregor is going to get killed in boxing

Iron Mike thought at first that this was a clash of styles. He said:

“I got mad because I thought they were going to use MMA rules against boxing because that’s what it’s all about: Can the boxer beat the MMA guy?

“McGregor put his dumb ass in a position where he’s gonna get knocked out because this guy’s been doing this all his life since he was a baby.”

Possibly with his interests lying at the next super fight of the year, Oscar Del La Hoya spoke of the fight and the media surrounding it, he said:

“It’s a circus show. The Ringling Brothers are coming to town. That’s the bottom line. Take a look at McGregor’s boxing record: it’s 0-0-0. That’s who Mayweather is.

“Obviously, the person who knows the fight game and anything about boxing or combat sports knows that Mayweather will never get the credit he thinks he deserves.”

This is not a contest and it will be the most one-sided affair in boxing history. Experts seem passionate in their words for Mayweather and display utter disdain for McGregor’s skill set.

“I mean a one hitter quitter can get anybody at the end of the day,” Eric Kelly admitted.

“But Floyd Mayweather has forgotten more than ‘Condom’ McGregor knows.”

A fan of “The Notorious” a British boxing legend “The Hitman” Ricky Hatton even backed Mayweather, despite the sting of supporting a former opponent.

Speaking ahead of the clash, he said: “I can’t even see it being a fight. “I’d be very surprised. So many fighters, like myself, like Canelo,like De Le Hoya that couldn’t lay a glove on him, I can’t see it for Conor.”

“I do hope I’m wrong by the way,” said the Mancunian.

I hope he flattens Mayweather. I honestly do. But I can’t see it.

“He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, he’s one of the greatest ever and Conor has not had one boxing match yet. Come on.”

 Now ask a Mixed Martial Arts fan how they rate the two weight class champion and his chances…

They will agree with a lot of the above the boxing fans will have pointed out. There are some who will point out Mayweather’s age, others will mention Floyd’s issues with southpaws and his time away from the ring.

Then, you will hear that Conor McGregor is different than all the rest of Mayweather’s previous opponents, he is unique, and he is something special. What he offers and brings to this fight is more than a skill set for a limited rules bout.

None other than the former heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury, expects to see McGregor shock the world and go against the boxing world. He said:

“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.

It would be good for boxing if McGregor chinned him. It would be great for the real people of the world.

This is echoed by the UFC president Dana White who is never short of a few words for the media, and is clearly on-board the McGregor hype train saying:

 “He has done everything he said he would do and he’s claiming he will knock out Floyd Mayweather within four rounds, and I think he broke it down to two now. I’m with Conor. I’m in. I’m on the ride with him, man. I’m excited.”

“I want him to win and expect him to win. I expect him to knock Floyd Mayweather out.”

Then you have a one-time former opponent’s brother and MMA fan favourite, Nick Diaz, who has given the Irish man a vote of confidence too

“As far as MMA, I want to say there’s maybe five guys that do jiu-jitsu that have an actual level of understanding when it comes to boxing. He obviously does. I feel like, if he can hit my brother he can definitely can put up somewhat of a fight with Floyd, if not actually bring him an actual challenge.”

Conor McGregor is a true mixed martial artist and has belief, youth, knockout power, range, unpredictability and an army of Irish following behind him.

If one of us goes to war, we all go to war.

He has a certain set of skills, and he will use them too. Foolish would be anyone who rules out the unlikely outcome, the ultimate shock to the boxing world, he is THE ULITMATE FIGHTER.

Will McGregor provide the shock of the century? Latest odds on PaddyPower.com

What do you think?