We’re knee-deep in the promotion for Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather now, and what was once one of those funny little “who would win” talking points has manifested itself into what will be one of the biggest combat sports events of all-time. Still, it’s receiving less respect than a main event in the local bingo hall.
It has been written off as a joke fight for so long the stigma it refuses to leave the narrative despite tens of thousands of people showing up for the press conferences. It’s a circus, yes, but it’s also a true event. An important landmark in combat sports history, even if the talking heads are dismissive.
The fight that was once considered slightly more realistic than Rousey vs. Mayweather has turned real, and still, no one seems to be giving this epic battle its due. Of course, we can call this fight utterly ridiculous, because it is. That’s the result of the personalities involved and the sea of green surrounding them. But just because both men are getting paid a pile of money it doesn’t invalidate the fight itself.
What we have here is not only one of the biggest fights ever, if not the biggest in terms of sheer eyeballs, we have the final chapter of MMA vs. Boxing. It’s the all-important MMA vs. Boxing rubber match. When Randy Couture dominated James Toney at UFC, the sports were even 1-1. Revenge for what Ray Mercer did to Tim Sylvia.
McGregor vs. Mayweather is being called a circus, a laugh, a series of press conferences before a dance, but do you think Conor McGregor wants to lose? Do you think Floyd wouldn’t mind going 49-1? These men are competitors, champions, the best of the best. Their willingness, serious or not, of betting their purses is proof enough. When you reach a certain level with these men, they are compelled to test themselves. Of course, you want to be compensated for it. Compensated what you’re worth. But make no mistake, these men do not like losing. Floyd hasn’t even tasted defeat in over 20 years. Do you think he wants to start now? Besides, he took this fight because he thinks he can win.
This is Floyd Mayweather getting his record to 49-0, going for 50. Yes, he’s hand-picking a huge star who you know he’s underestimating despite being extremely respectful of Conor’s skills. Floyd has never signed on for a fight that he didn’t know he had the best odds of winning. He’s known for taking fights years after a fighter is in their prime. He’s brilliant in more ways than one.
McGregor will look better against one of the greatest fighters ever than James Toney did against Randy Couture. MMA vs. Boxing part three is going down August 26th and everyone knows it. At the first press conference in LA, Conor clearly took up the flag for his sport, MMA. Conor said it himself:
“If this were a real fight you’d be dead in 20 seconds. Twenty seconds, and I smash you to within an inch of your life.”
It’s true.
This fight could only happen in a boxing ring. James Toney showed that pro boxers can’t head into a cage and fight an elite MMA fighter. An MMA fighter sure can invade a boxing ring, and pull off what is likely to be the second-biggest fight in the last 30-40 years.
Floyd opened up the salvo when he said at the first press conference that he’d do it in a cage (he wouldn’t) or he’d do it with 4oz gloves (he wouldn’t). Floyd is a boxer. McGregor is a fighter. With all due respect, the Irishman has a point when he said that Mayweather has never been in a fight. There’s nothing like having someone squeeze the life out of you after being kicked in the head. Of course, there’s nothing quite like having a combo unleashed on you, or taking a straight to the belly from a pro boxer. Combat sports don’t feel good, but Floyd is the best in his niche, and Conor McGregor operates at a premium in a sport that features a multitude of ways to be finished.
As Nick Diaz once said, “Floyd Mayweather gets paid $25 million and he can’t stop the double leg.”
There’s no way Floyd would survive against McGregor in the cage, but we’re still getting the fight. That’s what matters, and that’s all that matters. It always had to be boxing. It always had to be the two biggest stars in their respective sports. It’s perfect.
This is MMA coming into maturity. Finally about to be respected by the masses, even if McGregor loses. This fight will effect no rankings, and ripples will NOT be sent competitively throughout either sport. However, this had to happen. If Art Jimmerson wearing one glove in 1993 is the Alpha, Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather is the Omega. From here we emerge as new combat sports fans. The story arc that is MMA vs. Boxing has come to a close and it’s ending on what will be the most purchased PPV of all-time. Going out with the ultimate bang, not a whimper.
Years of silly, pointless bickering will come to an end.
MMA and boxing have as much in common as an X-Games dirt biker and a MotoGP racer, or a basketball player and a soccer player. This fight matters because culturally it will make the biggest impact since Tyson/Holyfield, or the Rumble in the Jungle.
And thank God, it will be the fight that puts an end to all the silly hypotheticals. It will be the biggest fight ever in a boxing ring, and then we don’t ever have to talk about Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor ever again. That alone makes it worth it.
