spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Mission impossible for McGregor?

- Advertisement -

The odds were out in Las Vegas and Conor McGregor has been tagged the underdog.

Quite not surprising since the oddsmakers and experts have not given even a speck of a chance for the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star since his super-fight with undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, Jr., was announced few days back. 

Many are not aware though that the Irish fighter has been training hard since May even before Mayweather agreed to the multi-million boxing bout set on August 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

The UFC champion posted last month on his twitter account a picture of himself following a conditioning training. 

“Today we are in the Red Zone on the @conormcgregorfast conditioning program. I must always take a brief moment to myself before I begin this intense zone. I ask myself one simple question—“How bad do I want this?” 

- Advertisement -

He really wanted the fight badly. Not just for pride but for the money, of course. 

Conor Mcgregor showing his boxing skills during practice (Photo from Conor Macgregor twitter account)

As per estimates, McGregor is set to receive US$75million while the 40-year-old Mayweather will get US$100 million for getting out of retirement and stepping back into the ring. 

McGregor is fighting his first professional fight against an opponent who had battled the best boxing champs in the world, including Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao whom he defeated via a unanimous decision. 

Is McGregor out to pull off a surprise? 

“They say I’ve got no chance. But they say that every fight,” McGregor twitted. 

Manila Standard interviewed some of the local and international personalities in boxing and asked for their pick in the McGregor-Mayweather superfight that has been attracting interest in the fight world. 

They’re all for Mayweather. 

The match-up was so one-sided for the American boxer that an international matchmaker, Warren Elliot, wondered why the fight even got sanctioned by the Nevada State Commission. 

Here’s what they said about the fight.

Warren Elliot, international matchmaker 

Mayweather. Why? Because it is his promotion and his opponent is fighting a debuting boxer. Mayweather is 49-0. 

“Meaningless fight.”

Monsour del Rosario with Barcelona Games boxing bronze medalist Roel Velasco

His opponent is a debut boxer…McGregor has never fought professionally in his life.

Why is this even being sanctioned I have no idea why. Money talks.”

Monsour del Rosario, taekwondo Olympian and Asian champion

“Kung boxing ang laban, Mayweather. Kung MMA, si macgregor.

Floyd is a master boxer while Connor is a master MMA fighter. They are both (masters) in 2 (two) different disciplines.” 

“It’s like making a badminton champion play against a tennis champion… different rules and different worlds .. similar but different.”

Rennie Ross, MMA coach of UFC campaigner CJ De Tomas

“Boxing ang laban kaya Mayweather ako jan dahil sa excellent foot work nya. Mga 70 percent ako jan dahil sa wide stance ni McGregor, mahirapan siya ipasok ang killer straight punch nya.”

Oliver Garcia, international judge and referee

“Sa tingin ko kapag umabot ng decision ang bout pweding makuha ni Mayweather kasi mas may advantage sya pag dating sa defense at offense. Pero mas aggressive si Mcgregor fatal attack kungbaga.”

Brico Santig, international boxing promoter and matchmaker

“For sure Mayweather yan, sawsawan yan …pag MMA pwede pa manalo si Mcgregor

Brico Santig with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., during the International Boxing Federation (IBF) convention

Pero di rin masabi kasi matagal na rin sa MMA si mcgregor and matagal na rin nagbo-boxing (striking).” 

“Kung may tsamba for Mcgregor?

Oo. Boxing is boxing dahil bago nag mma yan sure nag boxing din sya saka malaki sa laban. For sure, ayaw din nya mapahiya.” 

Emmanuel Sabrine, Kickboing champion, now president of National Muay Thai and Kickboxing Council of the Philippines 

Kung mag abot man sila sa taas ng cage, sempre McGregor. Lahat alam ni McGregor, solid lamang siya pero kung boxing ang pinag usapan sempre, Mayweather tayo.

Ray Biagtan, international muay thai trainer and MMA fighter

“Boxing ang paglalabanan, kahit sabihin nating magaling si Connor sa MMA, alanganin siyang manalo kay mayweather. Forte ni Mayweather ang boxing at balwarte nya ang squared ring…..in fairness magaling naman si connor, mananalo siya kapag na KO niya si Mayweather.”

Eduard Folayang, MMA fighter, ONE lightweight champion

“Mayweather sa tingin ko dahil boxing ang laban.”

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles