Roses are red, violets are blue, look out Mayweather, and McGregor’s coming for you.
The Irish Sun reported earlier this week that boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and UFC superstar Conor McGregor have agreed to terms for a fight that promises to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. began his career as a professional boxer back in 1996 and retired in 2015 with an undefeated 49-0 record. He is considered to be the best defensive boxer in the sport and generally one of the best boxers in the world. He won 15 world titles in five different weight classes. Today, at 39, he works as a boxing promoter with his company Mayweather Promotions.
“The Notorious” Conor McGregor began his MMA career in 2008 and only signed with UFC in 2013. He took the world stage by storm in 2015 by knocking out José Aldo 13 seconds into the first round of their featherweight title match, earning him his first championship belt and the record for the fastest UFC title victory in the organization’s history. At 28, he is the only person in UFC to simultaneously hold two UFC title belts.
In many ways, the two fighters couldn’t be more different. Only half of Mayweather’s victories half been knockouts; he is known for long, drawn-out matches where he wins by decision.
McGregor on the other hand is one of the most aggressive fighters in the sport. Fourteen of his eighteen victories have been by knockout, and he’s shown a serious lack of endurance when his fights haven’t ended quickly.
Their styles, combined with the fact that they’ll be fighting under boxing rules, mean that Mayweather has a significant edge. Betting markets have him opening at a -1400 favorite, which is to say someone would need to bet $1,400 in order to win $100.
One thing the two stars have in common is business acumen. “Money” Mayweather has always been known for choosing his fights carefully, while “The Notorious” McGregor is as famous for his style and grandiose smack talk as he is for his prowess in the ring.
The only obstacle still in the way is the UFC itself. McGregor is under contract for four more fights, and UFC boss Dana White has said, “It will never happen.”
Me? I’d bet on McGregor over UFC and Mayweather over McGregor, but it’ll be a great fight either way.
