FLOYD MAYWEATHER vs Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – it has “Money” written all over it. Mayweather is without doubt the best fighter the world has seen in a long time. I also believe he is the smartest boxer ever.
He instinctively knows how to promote a fight and build a fight, evidenced by his track record of having been in with the best of his era; Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Saul Alvarez and Diego Corrales, to name just a handful of greats he’s faced.
The less-than-humble McGregor has taken the UFC by storm. He was the first fighter in that discipline to receive a million-dollar pay cheque. He is the ‘face’ of the sport.
Bringing two sets of fans together is a huge prize. As much as the fight will be criticised, and maybe because the fight is being criticised, it will be watched by millions across the world who have little interest in either sport. It will appeal to almost everyone, young and old, eager to see what happens when Mayweather and McGregor collide.
It’s BIG business. In fact, it’s colossal business. It could break the records set by the mega Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown in May 2015. It’s always good to get more crossover fans – and it could well convert a whole new generation of MMA fans over to boxing.
Importantly, it will be a straight boxing rules fight – so therefore it is not compromising the sport – it will be a huge spectacle and grab attention. Muhammad Ali was famous for his exhibitions with wrestlers and celebrities.
Floyd is again showing the next generation of boxers and sportsmen how to take control of your career and to maximise your potential earnings.
Progress has never been about tinkering with what exists today, but being bold enough to try and create something different which may well be the platform for the next generation of fans and fighters. And that is what Floyd, if the fight is made, will be doing here. Love him or hate him, he is a pioneer of the modern age.
Floyd has recently said that the fight will “absolutely” happen.
Conor recently tweeted: “I run boxing.”
Boxing is the most intense of sports that attracts incredible individuals who are prepared to put it all on the line – all the time. MMA attracts similar individuals. Bringing the two together will be highly controversial, but that’s great for making it a hugely popular spectacle.
Don’t be surprised if the fight happens. I believe it would be great for both sports.
This article was originally published in the May 19 issue of Boxing News magazine
