Big bucks and a big ruckus, that is all that can be definitively said of the August 26th fight if the promotional campaign has been anything to go by. But is all that trash-talk simply disguising the sound of dollars rustling?
UFC president, Dana White, claimed the bout was as likely to happen as him being Tom Brady’s backup for the Super Bowl back in February. But as different as the two fighting disciplines may be, they share two things in common: money dictates the rules, and noise sells. Certainly, plenty of articles bemoan the farce and pomp of promotion, but it’s nothing new to either sport.
Instead, concern has been raised over the greed that is undermining the very foundation of professional boxing by sanctioning such an unorthodox fight. Many a purist out there, De La Hoya included, labelled it ‘delusional’ that McGregor should even be allowed to fight Mayweather. Indeed, the fight makes little sense – Mayweather, the former five-weight world champion and a record of 49-0, should win the bout hands down (or up, as the case may be). Even though McGregor can boast of flooring Aldo in 13 seconds to win the UFC featherweight belt (to go with his more recent lightweight belt), his boxing experience is limited to say the least.
And it remains just that, a boast; little more than hot air from a hot head. There is no denying McGregor’s exceptional ability in the octagon, but even so it is another thing entirely to suggest he is a credible opponent for Mayweather. But McGregor’s overriding belief in his in-form ability is enough to bolster his confidence bordering on arrogance to step back into boxing. Hot air, after all, can burn. He has frequently called boxing a half or quarter of the sport that MMA is, and his unpredictability, lightning speed, long reach and strength are tidy attributes for a boxer.
Let’s not forget that as a boy in his native Crumlin, McGregor first began his fighting career in the boxing ring, eventually becoming the All-Ireland champion before moving to MMA by 16. It is up to trainer, Owen Roddy, to whip the Dubliner into shape. And reports suggest McGregor is doing training the hard way. Jessie Vargas claimed the Irishman’s sparring partner, Bradley Wheeler, knocked out McGregor during one session. Vargas also rated Mayweather’s chances of beating the MMA star at 99%. The bookies would certainly agree too, if Betsafe’s 8/1 in Mayweather’s favour is anything to go by.
Who would really back McGregor, or at least believe his assertion that he’ll knock out Mayweather in 4 rounds? More than any sport in the world, psychological warfare plays a huge part and McGregor is the cream of the crop. His motor mouth can generate insult after colourful insult not seen since the likes of Ali. In a recent interview, Chris Eubank Jr. lauded McGregor’s verbal agility, and his ability to drum up self-promotion and implant himself firmly in his opponent’s head. After all, no press conference in the world can attract 10,000 fans.
And the insults have gone from offensive to downright controversial, with Mayweather accusing McGregor of racist comments. Purporting not to see colour, McGregor may have gone too far this time, making wild, stereotypical jokes about black anatomy and disparaging remarks about black women. And it’s all intended to rile Mayweather, who called the pro same-sex marriage Irishman a ‘f****t’. Neither insult is worse or better than the other, it is simply ugly name calling, but name calling nonetheless.
Do the fighters really care? Of course not. Someone should really look at the value of each bespoke McGregor insult. Now that’s an interesting KPI, to divide McGregor’s payday earnings against the self-promotional diatribe of each fight; dollars-per-insult would go some way to understanding the face of spectacle boxing. That translates to how many pay-per-views can be shifted (priced at $89.99 a pop), with reports suggesting it will be 5 million, making almost $475 million (£363.5 million). And that’s without sponsorship deals, ticket sales (ringside seats have been seen on sale for upwards of $83,000/£63,000) and betting fees. Neither fighter is allowed to reveal their earnings following a mutual legal agreement, but Dana White suggested Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather will make $100,000,000 and McGregor a slightly smaller $75,000,000. It is enough to push Mayweather’s career earnings over the $1 billion mark.
The incentive is clear for both fighters, and even if McGregor loses, he can shrug off his smarting pride with another nice, expensive pair of crocodile boots. Meanwhile anything short of a knockout for Mayweather can be seen as a defeat. As Artem Lobov, one of McGregor’s team mates, pointed out, Mayweather hasn’t finished anyone within 12 rounds since 2011. The pressure is firmly on the older Mayweather and McGregor’s motor mouth firmly reiterates that Mayweather has much more to lose. For Mayweather, it is all or nothing. For McGregor, it is luck, psychological warfare and an overwhelming belief he can better one of the finest athletes in his own backyard.
Maybe, just maybe, Conor will land a lucky and decisive left hook within 4 rounds.
