When Floyd “Money” Mayweather faces Conor McGregor in the ring tomorrow night at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the boxing world anticipates all box-office records to be broken, with 50 million people expected to watch the fight and as much as $700 million to be grossed by the contest. With both fighters’ obtaining purses well into the nine figures, Mayweather and McGregor figures to be the fight of the century. It’s unlike any fight we’ve seen before, with the greatest boxer of his generation and perhaps of all-time in Mayweather, going up against someone who has never thrown a punch in a professional boxing match in McGregor. It’s bad guy versus bad guy, with Mayweather being criticized for domestic abuse and McGregor being knocked for his racism.

Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in 2015, outlanding his punches at a 2 to 1 ratio on the overmatched Pacquiao.

“Pretty Boy Floyd” or “Money Mayweather” boasts a perfect 49-0 record with 26 knockouts, as he attempts to overtake former heavyweight legend, Rocky Marciano, who retired at Mayweather’s current record of 49-0. Mayweather is widely regarded as the best defensive boxer of all time, with quick, evasive movements and tactful strategy that has given him his perfect record at the age of 40. His net worth is estimated at $350 million, while this fight projects for him to more than double that net worth, with a $400 million dollar pay day.

Conor McGregor is the natural fan favorite as the underdog who grew up in the slums of Ireland and has maintained the persistence to overcome many obstacles. He started boxing at the age of 12, before quickly transitioning to MMA at the age of 15. However, he has never fought in a professional boxing match. In the UFC, he has boasted an impressive 21-3 record, with 18 of those 21 victories coming by knockout. He is known as a quick and violent striker who prefers to end fights quickly with his punching ability. This vastly contrasting style to Mayweather has caused confusion among the betting world.

McGregor
Conor McGregor has revolutionized the UFC world. On Saturday night he is not only fighting for himself, his country of Ireland, but the sport of MMA.

This will be the most bet boxing match in Nevada when the fight happens on Saturday, August 26th. But even the Las Vegas oddsmakers, with decades of experience, have been surprised by the betting patterns and where the lines may still go. After McGregor beat Eddie Alvarez at the UFC 205 in November, and speculation of the Mayweather/McGregor fight started, most books had Mayweather starting as a -2250 favorite with McGregor coming back at +950. When the fight became official, Mayweather dropped down to a -800 favorite, with McGregor coming back at +500. On Thursday, multiple 7 figure bets landed in Vegas on Mayweather which now, on Friday morning, has the fight at Mayweather -570 and McGregor at around +400.

Well, what does McGregor have going for him? To start, he’s younger, he’s bigger, and he’s fresher. It will have been 714 days for Mayweather between his last fight and this one against McGregor. McGregor is in his prime at 28 years young, with Mayweather being 12 years his senior at 40 years old. During their “World Tour,” McGregor thoroughly verbally abused Mayweather in attacking his age. Talented in his own right at promotion, McGregor talked a big game in predicting a huge victory for himself, and seemingly won over the majority of the world in rooting for the Irishman.

Mayweather vs McGregor
Defense versus Offense. Experience versus Youth. Black versus White. America versus Ireland. Boxing versus MMA. Mayweather – McGregor is the most anticipated boxing match of all-time.

 

At the end of the day however, you cannot overlook the fact that the best boxer of his generation and arguably of all-time, is facing someone who has never competed in the sport. Is Conor McGregor a great athlete, an unrelenting competitor, and one of the best “fighters” the world has ever seen … yes. Does that mean he can quickly transition into the sport of boxing and beat the best in the sport … absolutely not. Boxing is a sport that requires finesse, skill, and experience. If you look at the training videos between the two fighters and listen to the boxing experts, Mayweather and McGregor are in two different hemispheres and I anticipate that to be exposed on Saturday night.

While Money Mayweather is not a knockout boxer, the discrepancy of skill between these two in the sport of boxing simply cannot be overlooked, and I believe point to a very one-sided affair. One in which will result in a quick end to the fight. The rich get richer, and Pretty Boy Floyd knocks out McGregor to capture the coveted perfect record of 50-0.

 

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