Jim Lampley: Why MayMac2 is a scam
Jim Lampley: “He allowed Conor to quote ‘win’ three rounds so that the whole global MMA wish community could have something to latch on to.”
UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor challenged the greatest boxer of his generation, Floyd Mayweather Jr in what may be the most lucrative boxing match in history. McGregor was expected to do not much better than he would swimming vs. Michael Phelps or sprinting vs. Usain Bolt.
However, McGregor put on a credible performance, eventually losing via ref stoppage in Round 10. Judges Dave Moretti, Burt Clements, and Guido Cavalleri all gave McGregor the first round. Moretti gave ‘Notorious’ Rounds 2 and 3 too. Conor McGregor landed 111 of 430, or 26%, in 10 rounds. That’s more punches, at a better percentage, than Manny Pacquiao managed (81-429, 19%) in 12 Rounds.
It is believed that McGregor made around $100 million from the bout. Estimates of Mayweather’s take range from $150 million to $300 million. As Mayweather is believed to spend as much as $75 million per year, and prior to the fight did not have sufficient liquidity to pay a $22 million tax obligation, the latest winnings should last him from two to four years, unless his other investments pan out. The history of boxing is that they don’t. So Floyd may need to fight again, and a rematch with McGregor is the obvious, even the only choice.
However, in a recent interview with TMZ, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Jim Lampley, who has commentated on HBO for a generation, was not impressed.
Why should he retire? He created a marvelous scam with this whole thing, said Lampley. He allowed Conor to quote ‘win’ three rounds so that the whole global MMA wish community could have something to latch on to. I think there’s a decent chance there’s enough suckers out there Floyd could maybe make another $150 million. Why not? It’s all a set up.
Are we having a bet on whether or not Floyd Mayweather wants to make another $150 million? It’s not a bet. Why else is he putting out videos of himself working out? Why else did he allow Conor McGregor to ‘win’ three rounds? Why did the whole thing last 10 rounds? It’s all a set up.
It is believed that McGregor’s next fight is vs. UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, but it, and the following fights in the Octagon, won’t be for $100 million. So if the prospect of $100 million does come calling again, expect McGregor to take it.
