After almost two years of trash talking and deliberations, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have finally announced a date for their bout. The undefeated boxer and the UFC lightweight champion will settle their feud on August26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Both fighters confirmed the fight via their Instagram account with McGregor saying "THE FIGHT IS ON" and added a picture of Mayweather's father, Floyd Sr, a joke at the fact that his opponent is 40-year-old. Mayweather, on the other hand, posted a promotional video of the two with the caption: "It's official!"
Also read: Conor McGregor vows to shock boxing world in fight against Floyd Mayweather
Ever since talks of Mayweather and McGregor fighting came up, a lot of people have been saying the Irishman has no chance against one of the greatest boxers ever. It's understandable why people think so. Mayweather is undefeated with a record of 49-0 while McGregor will be making his boxing debut on August 26.
People have already started posting tweets saying the fight is all about the money for the two fighters and that McGregor has got no chance at all. Even a number of boxers including Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Dereck Chisora and Ricky Hatton all see this as a complete mismatch.
Great for the media but Mayweather v McGregor is a joke. If you think Connor has a chance against Mayweather you need putting in the sea
— Josh Green (@jjrgreeney) 15 June 2017
Can't wait for the 40 year old Mayweather to smack McGregor around
— LachlanWheeler (@lachlan_wheeler) 15 June 2017
Got a feeling McGregor is gona feel like this trying to break down Mayweather on fight night. #BoxingWins pic.twitter.com/LpBtKkKGEi
— Andrew Mikhail (@andrew_mikhail) 15 June 2017
People that are saying McGregor will beat Mayweather need putting down for being mentally retarded.
— Damon Wood (@DamonWood10) 15 June 2017
As much as I would love to see McGregor punch Mayweather senseless,
— Seanie Mc (@seaniemc1) 15 June 2017
I'm certain Mayweather will smash fuck out of him!
Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather is utter tripe. If you even think McGregor will win you're drinking too much Guinness. Tripe.
— RobP (@robpim1982) 15 June 2017
Deluded if you think mcgregor can beat Mayweather, 49-0 for a reason, just a money fight?
— Harry Smith (@Smithh_S) 15 June 2017
Money has no doubt played a huge part in both fighters agreeing to this fight and while Mayweather might see this as an easy win to surpass Rocky Marciano record, McGregor would not have taken up this fight if he did not think he had a chance.
There is no doubt that the UFC star is the underdog and earlier this year he said he would shock the boxing world. When the fight was confirmed, UFC President Dana White said McGregor is confident that he can hand Mayweather his first ever defeat.
"He is absolutely 100% positive that he wins this fight. And I stopped doubting Conor McGregor a long time ago. When two men step into the ring or the octagon, anything is possible. He will go after Floyd Mayweather and he will try to knock him out," SportsCenter quoted White as saying.
While it's a completely different sport from MMA, McGregor does know what it takes to knock people out as he has done so 18 times in his MMA career so far. Another reason why this fight might prove to be a challenge for Mayweather is that McGregor is a southpaw which the boxer is not used to.
McGregor has been taking his boxing training very seriously and has consistently posted videos and pictures of him training. As McGregor said: "There is no talent here. This is hard work. This is an obsession. Talent doesn't exist, we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top. And that's that. I am not talented, I am obsessed."
So while McGregor might not have any boxing experience and is set to have his first bout against one of the most reputed boxer ever, don't rule the Irishman out just yet. He is one of the most dedicated and determined athletes in the world and while it's not easy to tell if he can win, you can expect him to test Mayweather for sure.
