Off The Beaten Record: The Absurdity of Mayweather vs McGregor
By ROSS BISHOFF
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 15)Let’s get this over with right off the bat: If Connor McGregor knocks out Floyd Mayweather on Aug. 26, I’m wrong.
This mega-fight will be worth it to most people.
All the hype and money and build-up will have not been in vain.
However, all the hype, money and build-up will be in vain.
Honestly, the most entertaining thing about this “superfight” will be the press conferences—because both fighters are amazing trash talkers–and the fact so many people will pay $100 or more to see Mayweather put on a boxing clinic against a guy who has never actually had an official boxing match.
And no, I don’t dislike McGregor.
And yes, McGregor is a great fighter in the Octagon.
I just can’t believe he agreed to this. I can’t believe this fight is even sanctioned.
I don’t discount McGregor’s abilities as a boxer against other mixed martial arts fighters, and I certainly respect his overall talent, heart and willingness to prepare.
But we are talking about a UFC fighter boxing one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport. A guy who has taken on 49 other fighters and rarely ever even has a mark on him after 12 rounds.
What every needs to understand is that Mayweather would have never taken this fight if he wasn’t absolutely sure he could dominate, finish his career 50-0 and make even more millions of dollars.
Which means, people will once again be drawn into an expensive, boring, disappointment.
To true boxing aficionados, Mayweather’s dissection of opponents is fascinating. To mere boxing fans, like myself, it’s boring but we give the man his due as an artist in the ring.
The everyone else, it’s excruciating.
But people will pay for it in droves because of the spectacle and the very slim possibility McGregor can land that one punch no one else has ever landed.
But Mayweather is 49-0 without any concussion or brain issues for a reason. He’s superior to everyone he picks to fight.
And as great a boxer as Mayweather is, he may even be a more talented salesman because by Aug. 26, everyone with even a passing sports interest is going to want to see him get knocked out.
And when it doesn’t happen, they’ll wake up complaining the next day.
No, this isn’t me looking into a crystal ball. This is me looking at recent history—from Manny Pacquiao to Andre Berto to Canelo Alvarez and on down the line.
Sure, it’s going to be interesting. And the build-up will be incredible. But anyone who understands boxing has to know this is a ridiculous fight.
It’s entirely possible Mayweather goes rounds without even being touched.
So, save your money.
Seriously, by your kid some new shoes or treat your wife to dinner. Either way, at least you have something to show for your hard-earned dollars.
Number of the Week: -1,100
– When the fight was announced June 14, Mayweather started as a heavy minus-1,100 favorite by Las Vegas odds makers. That has dropped to minus-600 because so many people are taking small bets on McGregor.
Quote of the Week: “I can’t take it serious.”
– Former heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis on the Mayweather-McGregor match.
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