Larry Holmes: McGregor doesn’t have to do much to beat Mayweather

Larry Holmes boxed professionally for 29 years, was the baddest man on the planet for five years, and is the only person to ever stop The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. In short, he knows boxing better than you do. And during a recent conversation with John Canzano for Oregon’s Bald Faced Truth radio show, The Easton Assassin said Notorious has a chance to beat Money.

“Don’t sell Conor McGregor short,” said Holmes, as transcribed by Oregon Live. “He doesn’t have to do too much to win. All he has to do is get him in the corner and bang him. Put his hands up over his head, get down low, keep coming in and throw punches once you get him against the ropes.”

“[Mayweather] is going to tie him up and try to hit him on the break… [McGregor has to] put his hands up, stay right on top of him and keep him from hitting him. It’s going to be an interesting fight. People are selling [McGregor] short. This guy is an athlete. He sees a lot of money, and he sees a medal on his chest if he can get over this hump.”

“These guys are fighting for the big goal. They like to win. They want to win. They want to be called champ. But winning the fight doesn’t make you a champion. How you win makes you a champion. How you act outside of the ring makes you a champion. Knocking somebody out doesn’t make you a champion. Having a belt around your waist doesn’t make you a champion. Your personality makes you a champion.”

Highlights of Holmes vs. Ali:

Conor McGregor boxes Floyd Mayweather on August 26.