In May a crazy rumor appeared that a boxing match was being negotiated between UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor and the greatest boxer of his generation, Floyd Mayweather Jr. It is not entirely crazy; the source of the rumor was Mayweather himself.
The boxer aims to make $100,000,000, or more, in a contest easier than an average day of sparring for him. McGregor aims for an opportunity to make millions, and hugely heighten his publicity, with zero risk to his brand in the MMA space. In fact, it would provide years afterwards of goading FMJ to step into Octagon.
The Irishman has executed a series of steps on his social network with an eye towards generating excitement.
Then UFC president Dana White stepped in and had a couple of things to say. One, the rules should at the very least include clinching and elbows. And two, the Mayweather should call him.
As far as anyone knows, the call never came. However McGregor apparently is keeping the fire burning – he just released extended video of a sparring session he did in May with former IBO welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden.
McGregor is in a grey tank top, Van Heerden is in White.
After the session, Van Heerden spoke with ElieSeckbach for his EsNews channel, and confirmed that McGregor is not going to beat FMJ. The South African spoke warmly about McGregor.
“We’ve got questions, as a boxer and MMA fighter – we’ve always got that argument whether a stand up MMA fighter and a stand up boxer will give him trouble,” said the South African fighter.
“Honestly, what a humble, nice gent. He’s just such a cool guy. Honestly, I was surprised how cool Connor is. I’ve got so much respect for him. He is one hell of a hell of a nice guy.”
The boxer replied to a series of questions:
Conor’s power?
“With 16 oz. gloves I wasn’t fazed, at all. 4 oz gloves it’s a whole different story – one punch. Conor knows how to use his hands. … It’s not like he’s a bum. The man knows how to fight.”
Conor’s speed?
“You know what he’s got good – his precision, his timing. That little bit of timing, he’s very good at that. His best punch is his counter left. And that’s it.”
What did you learn after six rounds?
“That a boxer would beat an MMA fighter – professional boxer beats a professional MMA fighter in a stand up game, any day.”
How would McGregor do vs. Mayweather?
“Mayweather wins, no doubt about it. Mayweather is the best. TBE as they say. He’s the absolute best. My opinion, it would be a one-sided fight. But, take nothing away from Conor. It takes one punch. We all know that in the fight world. It takes on punch.
“And can Conor land a punch? Yes, he can. … But not on Floyd. Not on Floyd. … Not on Floyd.”
“If Floyd feels like playing around, that’s up to him. But Floyd can end it very quickly because of who Floyd is. Floyd is TBE.”
“There’s no way in this lifetime that Conor McGregor beats Floyd in a boxing match. No way.”
