One of the biggest fights in combat sports history is just a few hours from taking place, as pound-for-pound boxing great Floyd Mayweather attempts to collect his 50th straight win against none other than current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion of the world, Conor McGregor, inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For better, or worse, the “Fight of the Century” a.k.a. “The Money Fight” is finally here. It seems that not that long ago the fight was barely announced. And now, after a memorable (or forgettable) world tour to promote the bout, pre-fight run-ins, sparring drama and so much more, Mayweather and McGregor will finally settle things inside the boxing ring.
While some are dying to see if Conor can do the unthinkable and upset perhaps the greatest boxer of his generation, others are quick to dismiss the bout as nothing more than a glorified “exhibition match” with a sole purpose of fattening both men’s wallets. And they will get paid … handsomely. Conor reportedly used legal steroids to get ready for the battle.
Still, no one could ever imagine that a UFC champion would ever get the chance to step into the ring against one of the best boxers to ever lace them up. What’s even more mind boggling, is that McGregor only burst onto the mainstream scene four years ago. But, in that time “Notorious” has gone on to take the mixed martial arts (MMA) world by storm, breaking the box office bank repeatedly, earning record-setting paydays, while making history by becoming the first and only fighter in the promotion to hold two separate division titles at the same time. And now he has the chance to turn the boxing world upside-down. He gets the chance to step into the ring against one of the greatest boxers ever. A privilege only afforded to those true boxing specialists who have worked countless years to get the opportunity.
No one is giving McGregor much of a chance, and rightfully so. He never once competed in a professional boxing match. Getting in shape, adding legal steroids as part routine. He can punch, he has power, but Floyd has so much more. He has experience, he has the fighting IQ, and more importantly he has great defense. Sure, at 40 years of age, but the man can box! And at the highest level for two decades.