But analyst says McGregor's punch stats are deceiving

Conor McGregor in action with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Steve Marcus, Reuters

Conor McGregor was apparently more successful than Manny Pacquiao in terms of landing punches against the elusive Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Compubox numbers showed that the mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar landed 117 shots on Mayweather during his 10th round technical knockout loss to “Money May.” Pacquiao, on the other hand, connected only 81 punches when he fought Mayweather back in 2015.

But fight analyst Ed Tolentino said that is an inaccurate comparison of McGregor’s work rate to Pacquiao’s.

“That is deceiving. Remember that Pacquiao was handicapped, he fought with only one good shoulder,” Tolentino pointed out in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

“Also note what the computers can’t see. Except for the left uppercut in the first round, majority of Conor's punches were pitty-pat punches. The jab was anemic and he can’t get proper leverage for his left hand.”

Tolentino said Mayweather knew McGregor will have issues with his stamina since the Irish fought for only 25 minutes for most of his MMA career. When McGregor started slowing down, Mayweather stepped on the gas, he said.

“Let him throw a lot and the faster will the fatigue set in. That's exactly what happened,” he said.

Tolentino believes McGregor will even have a shorter fight if forced to fight a puncher like Pacquiao.

“It’s so easy to be impressed with Conor going 10 rounds, but people forget that Floyd is not a fast starter and does not go for quick KO. He has scored only two knockouts in the last 10 years,” he said.

“If Conor goes 10 rounds with a puncher like Pacquiao, then I will be impressed.”

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)