Come 26th August sports fans across the globe will be tuning in to see Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Conor “Notorious” McGregor finally step toe-to-toe after many months of aggressive press conferences and taunting and it’s all happening in a boxing ring with prize earnings of an undoubtedly sickening figure but, what does this mean for the sport?

Tale of the tapes

For those who have been living under a rock for the last 5 years, Conor McGregor is an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter from Ireland who has done massive things for UFC and has become a huge figure in the public eye and, at the ripe old age of 28, has made history by becoming the first fighter to hold two belts in two different divisions at the same time (featherweight and lightweight). Famed for his insane personality, quick-witted comebacks and hilarious put-downs, Conor McGregor, at 5’9 has the height and reach advantage coming into this fight as well as the experience of a completely different fighting style than conventional boxing as well as probably some of the best trash talking and mind games since Ali.

Floyd Mayweather, on the other hand, is a veteran boxer with an illustrious career spanning 21 years. Arguably one of the best boxers of a generation Mayweather has an impressive track record of 49-0, with 26 of these fights ending in knockouts. At the age more mature age of 40, Mayweather certainly has experience on his side but has he past his prime? Does he have too much to lose at this stage in his career? It would arguably one of the biggest upsets in sports history to see a professional boxer of Mayweather’s standard to be beaten by a fighter with no boxing professional boxing wins under his belt.

What Does It Mean For The Sport?

Despite the current generation of boxers, which are a more energetic, charismatic breed than over the last decade or so, boxing is no longer as popular as it once was. Whilst MMA has seen growth year on year, boxing has been pretty much stale and in much need of a boost. This fight is doing this and, I’d put my neck on the line and say that this will be the best-selling fight of the last 10 years and will put boxing back at the forefront of the combat sports scene.

Should Mayweather Jr be victorious coming out of this, which many suspects he will, then boxing will get the credit it deserves and everyone will once again respect boxers for the skill and technical prowess it takes to be the top of your game. Some are worried that if the outcome of the fight sways towards McGregor that credibility will be taken away from the sport as a “non-boxer” defeats one of the best. However, riding on the back of that potential upset is a media shit-storm which will throw boxing back into the mainstream and I believe will ultimately have a positive effect on the industry and will lead to big names wanting to get into the ring including, no doubt, other stars of MMA.

Predictions

Even on paper, this is hard to call. Boxing fans will claim that Floyd has this with over 20 years of experience under his belt, the well-earned title of the best defensive boxer of all time and knockout power which has lead to 26 opponents on their back.

McGregor, on the other hand, has 12 years of youth on his side, an extra two inches of reach and is known for pin point accuracy and knockout power and will be going into this fight with nothing to lose and will be hunting for the KO from the go.

Interestingly, Mayweather has won 53% of his fights via knockout whereas McGregor sits at a peachy 75% and, despite having a less impressive record of 49-0, has had more fights in recent years which makes you wonder how much the experience factor will play into this fight.

My predictions? I think Floyd Mayweather Jr should be worried. Conor McGregor has already won by getting this far – it’s a fight that will make history and McGregor has absolutely nothing to lose, or prove, going into this battle. Mayweather, on the other hand, has all the pressure on him to win. This will likely be the last fight he ever has and will take him to 50-0 should he be victorious but, if he loses, will leave a huge dint on his ego, his career and how he will be remembered. Conor knows he could never win this fight on points, he isn’t technical enough and 12 rounds would destroy a fighter who is used to just 3 and he knows this.