Tag: Preview/Prediction

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor will step to the scales on Friday on the eve of one of the biggest sporting spectacles in recent memory. 

There is an enormous amount of hype surrounding this boxing match, which will be McGregor‘s first and Mayweather’s 50th in a so far undefeated and wildly successful career. 

To some, the event is farcical, to others, pure entertainment, and to still others an intriguing test to see if McGregor‘s unwavering confidence and mixed martial arts mastery can successfully translate to boxing.

McGregor surely has a greater repertoire of fighting skills, but only one area of focus will be available to him when he steps into the ring against Mayweather on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The weigh-in, which also takes place at the T-Mobile Arena, will be the last time the two controversial fighters face off before they settle their feud in the ring. Sparks may fly considering recent comments made by the brash pair.

Here’s how you can watch the weigh-in and the superfight.

           
Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight Info

Date: Saturday, August 26

Time: 9 p.m. ET (main card)

Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

TV: Pay-per-view ($99.95) Showtime

Live Stream (pay-per-view): UFC.tv, ShowtimePPV.com

        

Mayweather vs. McGregor Weigh-In Info

Date: Friday, August 25

Time: 6 p.m. ET/PT

Live Stream: Showtime YouTube (or SHO.com)

       

The match will take place at 154 pounds, but Mayweather apparently doesn’t think McGregor is going to be able to get under that threshold.

In a video interview with FightHype.com, Mayweather questioned the 29-year-old Irishman’s fitness level. 

“Conor McGregor is extremely heavy right now,” he said in a video published Tuesday. He added he believes McGregor is around 164 pounds.

McGregor didn’t take kindly to these comments and said it was a sign that Mayweather was looking for an excuse before Saturday’s contest.

“He needs to shut his mouth,” McGregor said, per USA Today‘s Martin Rogers. “It is a fool of a thing. Let him keep praying, praying for weight, for fatigue, praying for me to take a backward step. All he is doing is praying, but he is praying to the new god of boxing.”

In his last UFC fight against Eddie Alvarez, McGregor weighed in at 154.4 pounds, under the 155-pound limit, per CBS Sports’ Brandon Wise. However, in two fights against Nate Diaz last year, McGregor weighed in at 168 pounds each time. 

McGregor is a naturally bigger guy than Mayweather—he’s also an inch taller and has a 74-inch wingspan compared to Money’s 72, per BoxRec—but for a fighter who is so in tune with his body and has worked incredibly hard to be successful, there should be little doubt that he is going to miss the weight. 

No one should be worried about Mayweather staying under the 154-pound limit, as he fought for much of his career in the 140s at welterweight and always carried his weight comfortably. Instead, the concern with Mayweather is age sapping him of the split-second and inch-perfect timing he uses to dodge punches. 

McGregor is known for finishing off his UFC opponents with speed and power, and he seems intent on letting people know he’s capable of making it a supremely quick fight on Saturday. 

However, the prevailing wisdom is that Mayweather’s mastery of defense and unblemished 49-0 track record in the sport will see him through to another win, whether it’s on the cards or via a knockout.

Mayweather may be 40 years old and hasn’t fought in nearly two years, but as the Los Angeles Times‘ Dylan Hernandez noted, this fight could be a dangerous one for the boxing novice McGregor, and it’s potentially one that the Nevada Athletic Commission should not have approved: 

“That’s not a history. A history would be a record of actual fights. But creating that history would almost certainly have imperiled the showdown with Mayweather. If McGregor had taken a couple of tuneup fights and looked as amateurish as he is expected to look Saturday night, he wouldn’t have been able to maintain the illusion of having a chance.

“The NAC made all of that a non-issue. Of the countless wagers that have been placed on the fight, none were as risky or as dangerous.”

There is of course enough belief in McGregor that for all Mayweather’s experience and skill, he’s only a -450 favorite against a man making his pro boxing debut, per OddsShark.com (as of Thursday).

But McGregor has enough power that he only needs a puncher’s chance. Of course, it stands to reason that a puncher’s chance is all he has.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still the firm favourite to beat Conor McGregor on Saturday, August 26, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

One of the best prop bets has Mayweather winning by some form of knockout or stoppage. Meanwhile, McGregror finishing his opponent off quickly is a bet with long odds ahead of the weigh-in on Friday.

McGregor is facing a challenge to make the fight limit of 154 pounds. However, the Irish UFC superstar’s tougher task will likely be surviving for long against a boxer as skilled as Mayweather, who is tipped at -450 (bet $450 to win $100) to win, per Joe Osborne of OddsShark.

The same source puts McGregor’s chances for victory at +325 (bet $100 to win $325).

Those odds are a reflection of the sentiment McGregor will be outclassed, and quickly, by a fighter with more experience and skill between the ropes. It’s not an unreasonable assumption since Mayweather is one of boxing’s greats, while McGregor is a novice in a pro ring.

Even so, the disparity in boxing pedigree hasn’t deterred a typically boastful McGregor from making the following confident prediction about the outcome, per Justin Hartling of OddsShark: “As far as the fight, he will be unconscious inside four rounds. My movement, my power, my ferociousness—he’s not experienced it.”

However, as Hartling noted, the chances of McGregor finishing off a fighter with a 49-0 record in four rounds or less are rated at +500. Of course, if McGregor were to catch Mayweather with a haymaker from his ferocious left hand bettors brave enough to risk these odds would likely be handsomely rewarded.

Yet the chances of such an event happening would depend largely on Mayweather taking this bout for granted. Such complacency hasn’t been common during his decorated career.

It’s much more likely Mayweather makes good on the -125 odds of a win by KO, TKO or disqualification, per more odds relayed by Hartling. Mayweather is also backed at +250 to win by decision, per the same source.

The notable difference between those odds is no doubt due to the feeling this fight is unlikely to go the distance, even though Mayweather “hasn’t scored a KO since a controversial fourth-round stoppage of Victor Ortiz in 2011,” per ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael.

Even so, going the distance would demand McGregor proving he has the stamina to trade punches and match movement with a boxer as experienced as Mayweather.

Doing so will prove too tall an order for McGregor, despite his bravado. Instead, Mayweather will wrap things up in the fourth round with a KO stoppage.

Prediction: Mayweather wins by KO in the fourth

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Saturday’s clash between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor is among the most hyped fights in the history of boxing, but the matchup is one-sided on paper.

Mayweather is a perfect 49-0 and considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, while McGregor has never had a professional fight as a boxer.

There has been plenty of betting action on the UFC Lightweight champion despite that fact, but he remains a significant underdog in what will be the biggest challenge of his combat sports career.

With the moment of truth nearly here for both Mayweather and McGregor, let’s take a look at the latest betting lines, along with predictions for how the bout will play out.

          

Mayweather vs. McGregor Odds (courtesy of OddsShark.com)

Mayweather betting line: 1-5

McGregor betting line: 77-20

Mayweather money line: -500

McGregor money line: +385

           

Mayweather vs. McGregor Predictions

If Mayweather decides to employ his usual game plan, there is seemingly little that can stop him from going the distance and winning decisively on the scorecards.

The 40-year-old veteran has won each of his past seven fights by decision with five of them being unanimous.

Based on pre-fight comments from both combatants, however, there appears to be a desire to create some fireworks.

McGregor hasn’t been shy about his intentions, as he made it clear during the July press tour that he wants to embarrass Mayweather.

According to Gene Wang of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Irishman has his heart set on knocking out “Money” in the early stages of the contest: “There’s no other way about it. His little legs, his little core, his little head. I’m going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words. What can I say? I’m a young, confident, happy man that’s worked extremely hard for this.”

Aside from boxing experience, McGregor has plenty of advantages from a physical perspective.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Mayweather acknowledged that fact:

“He’s a lot younger. When you look at myself and Conor McGregor on paper, he’s taller, has a longer reach, he’s a bigger man from top to bottom. He’s a lot younger, so youth is on his side. And I’ve been off a couple of years. And I’m in my 40s. So, if you look at everything on paper, it leans toward Conor McGregor.”

Mayweather also admitted to Smith that he has lost a step compared to what he once was in addition to no longer being a big knockout threat as he was earlier in his career.

Despite that, Mayweather expressed a desire to go on the offensive against McGregor in order to give the fans an entertaining fight: “This can’t be a defensive fight. I have to go to him. I owe the public because of the [Manny] Pacquiao fight. They weren’t pleased with that. They’re gonna be pleased with this fight here.”

Since McGregor is entering his domain, the pressure rests squarely on Mayweather’s shoulders to win and do so convincingly.

McGregor’s only chance to win the fight is likely to be aggressive in an effort to end it early. A brawl favors him more than a boxing bout would, but that strategy could also leave him susceptible.

Mayweather is an elite counterpuncher who knows how to pick his spots, and that will allow him to end his knockout drought in a winning effort over McGregor to improve to 50-0.

Prediction: Mayweather wins via fifth-round KO

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Saturday’s clash between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor is among the most hyped fights in the history of boxing, but the matchup is one-sided on paper.

Mayweather is a perfect 49-0 and considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, while McGregor has never had a professional fight as a boxer.

There has been plenty of betting action on the UFC Lightweight champion despite that fact, but he remains a significant underdog in what will be the biggest challenge of his combat sports career.

With the moment of truth nearly here for both Mayweather and McGregor, let’s take a look at the latest betting lines, along with predictions for how the bout will play out.

          

Mayweather vs. McGregor Odds (courtesy of OddsShark.com)

Mayweather betting line: 1-5

McGregor betting line: 77-20

Mayweather money line: -500

McGregor money line: +385

           

Mayweather vs. McGregor Predictions

If Mayweather decides to employ his usual game plan, there is seemingly little that can stop him from going the distance and winning decisively on the scorecards.

The 40-year-old veteran has won each of his past seven fights by decision with five of them being unanimous.

Based on pre-fight comments from both combatants, however, there appears to be a desire to create some fireworks.

McGregor hasn’t been shy about his intentions, as he made it clear during the July press tour that he wants to embarrass Mayweather.

According to Gene Wang of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Irishman has his heart set on knocking out “Money” in the early stages of the contest: “There’s no other way about it. His little legs, his little core, his little head. I’m going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words. What can I say? I’m a young, confident, happy man that’s worked extremely hard for this.”

Aside from boxing experience, McGregor has plenty of advantages from a physical perspective.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Mayweather acknowledged that fact:

“He’s a lot younger. When you look at myself and Conor McGregor on paper, he’s taller, has a longer reach, he’s a bigger man from top to bottom. He’s a lot younger, so youth is on his side. And I’ve been off a couple of years. And I’m in my 40s. So, if you look at everything on paper, it leans toward Conor McGregor.”

Mayweather also admitted to Smith that he has lost a step compared to what he once was in addition to no longer being a big knockout threat as he was earlier in his career.

Despite that, Mayweather expressed a desire to go on the offensive against McGregor in order to give the fans an entertaining fight: “This can’t be a defensive fight. I have to go to him. I owe the public because of the [Manny] Pacquiao fight. They weren’t pleased with that. They’re gonna be pleased with this fight here.”

Since McGregor is entering his domain, the pressure rests squarely on Mayweather’s shoulders to win and do so convincingly.

McGregor’s only chance to win the fight is likely to be aggressive in an effort to end it early. A brawl favors him more than a boxing bout would, but that strategy could also leave him susceptible.

Mayweather is an elite counterpuncher who knows how to pick his spots, and that will allow him to end his knockout drought in a winning effort over McGregor to improve to 50-0.

Prediction: Mayweather wins via fifth-round KO

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All the hype and talk is almost over for Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. On Saturday, August 26, the two combat sports stars will finally be done talking and promoting, and all that will be left will be an old-fashioned fist fight. 

It’s a fight that’s been driven by questions, the type that usually die in a bar room debate or internet comment section. Can an MMA fighter really compete with an elite boxer? Can Mayweather withstand the kind of power that McGregor brings to the table?

These questions will be answered, but this fight goes beyond those simple questions. Regardless of how you feel about who is going to win, it’s an intriguing matchup with a lot of moving parts. 

Here’s a look at some of the key factors that will determine who gets his hand raised at the end of the night. 

         

McGregor‘s Unorthodox Rhythm 

Joseph Duffy has unique insight into this bout. The Irish MMA fighter has not only beaten McGregor in the cage, but he also has some professional boxing experience. 

While the fact that McGregor has no professional boxing experience is largely a negative, Duffy sees a way in which it can be a positive. 

“Sometimes the hardest guys to fight are the ones that are so unorthodox because, especially from a boxing point of view, they’re hard to train for,” Duffy said, per Tom Rooney of MMAjunkie. “Floyd tends to cover all bases, but he might find it hard to find a guy who fights like that. It could definitely unsettle him.”

Mayweather is a masterful counterpuncher. The majority of his offense comes from defense, which makes him extremely difficult to hit in a meaningful way. 

Developing that counterpunching takes an innate sense of timing, which comes from repetition, and it’s hard to rep someone like McGregor. The Notorious has always had a strong emphasis on movement and doesn’t move like traditional boxers. 

If McGregor is to land the punch that many think could put Money away, it’s going to be because his rhythm is unlike anything Mayweather has seen in the ring. 

        

The Length of the Fight

A major adjustment for McGregor is going to be the length of the fight. The longest McGregor has fought in his career was five-round MMA fight against Nate Diaz. That’s 25 minutes of fight time. 

In the ring, the fight is scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds. That’s a different mindset for a fighter who is used to fighting within MMA rules. 

In McGregor‘s first fight with Diaz, he gassed himself out before Diaz took over the fight in the second round and ultimately won by submission. In the rematch, McGregor paced himself better and earned the decision win. 

To fight Mayweather, he’s going to have to reconfigure his pacing once again. Diaz believes that McGregor‘s cardio will be his undoing. 

“I think McGregor‘s got a good chance to make something happen in [the first] two or three rounds,” Diaz said, per Brandon Wise of CBS Sports. “But I think he’s got an amateur style where he’s only got good movement, good punches for six, eight minutes, and I think that’s too amateur for Mayweather.”

With McGregor saying he’s going to win the fight in the first round, he could be in trouble if his early aggression simply wears him out. 

          

McGregor‘s Power

This is the crux of the McGregor argument that he can win. The Irish southpaw has a dynamite left hand. Mayweather has always been a bit more vulnerable to left-handed opponents. It’s the perfect setup. 

Even Andre Ward—an undefeated boxer in his own right—sees the possibility of McGregor changing this fight with just one shot:

The problem is that we’ve heard this before. McGregor isn’t the first one who was considered to be powerful enough to finish Mayweather. Money has beaten a whole lineup of brawlers who were supposed to be aggressive and land the shot that finally handed him a loss. 

None of them have been able to do it. Which leads us too…

         

Mayweather’s Defense

There’s a reason that Mayweather is 49-0 and still able to fight at an elite level at the age of 40. It doesn’t have anything to do with hand speed, power or even his footwork. It’s got everything to do with his defense. 

Mayweather has all of those things. But the defense is the reason he’s had such sustained success. He defends differently than most and does it better than anyone. 

His shell defense makes opponents see openings that aren’t there. As soon as they try to exploit them, they pay the price. 

That’s the beauty of Mayweather’s game. He’s mastered the art of not getting hit, and it frustrates opponents into abandoning their game plan and getting smashed with counters over and over again. 

It would be one thing if McGregor was making the crossover against your average top-level boxer. A bout with the likes of Miguel Cotto or even Canelo Alvarez would afford the Notorious the opportunity to brawl his way to a successful crossover. 

Instead, he’s taking on a man who can make even those boxers look foolish. If McGregor can figure out how to beat Mayweather’s legendary defense, he’ll be the first to do so. 

That’s what makes it hard to believe that he’s going to be able to pull off the upset come Saturday night. 

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