Conor McGregor offered a brief retort to former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who argued McGregor will be overmatched in the ring when he faces off with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Aug. 26.
“That’s nice Mike, but you’re looking at the new Don King here, son,” McGregor tweeted Tuesday. “Money is mine.”
Speaking with Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast, Tyson said McGregor will “get killed boxing” against Mayweather (via SI.com’s Chris Chavez):
“I got mad because I thought they were going to use MMA rules against boxing because that’s what it’s all about: Can the boxer beat the MMA guy? McConor put his dumba— in a position where he’s gonna get knocked out because this guy’s been doing this all his life since he was a baby. McConor can’t kick and grab and stuff so he won’t stand much of a chance.
“McGregor took the biggest sucker rules in the history of boxing.”
Tyson is certainly in the majority of fans who view McGregor as a decided underdog when he faces off with the unbeaten Mayweather. According to OddsShark, Mayweather is a 2-11 favorite.
McGregor has often been praised for his striking ability, but that’s within the realm of mixed martial arts. Being a good striker for an MMA fighter isn’t the same as being a skilled boxer.
On June 29, McGregor and Mayweather shared clips from their pre-fight training, and the difference in skill between the two stars was readily apparent:
Mayweather is 40 years old and hasn’t fought professionally since his victory over Andre Berto in September 2015. However, that doesn’t change the fact he’s one of the greatest defensive boxers in the sport’s history.
No matter how hard he trains, McGregor is facing an almost impossible race to catch up to somebody who’s among the most technically gifted boxers ever.
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