THE much-anticipated “crossover” fight between boxing superstar Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor “The Notorious” McGregor, dubbed “The Money Fight,” comes down this weekend presenting an interesting dynamic than should redound well for MMA, this according to one local fight analyst.
Happening at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada on Sunday (Manila time), the fight will see undefeated boxing world champion Mayweather take on Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion McGregor in a virtual clash of worlds involving two of the most popular combat sports out there.
For local fight analyst Nissi Icasiano, the way things stand, MMA stands to gain much from the Mayweather-McGregor collision considering how the burden of proof lies more on boxing.
“Mixed martial arts has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this blockbuster. Even if Conor McGregor loses by decision or knockout, it’s business as usual for the entire sport, especially for the UFC, which will garner a big slice of the pie in terms of revenue. Of course, it can be argued that an MMA athlete has absolutely nothing to offer in a boxing bout against a master boxer like Floyd Mayweather. But if Floyd Mayweather loses, that’s the problem,” said Mr. Icasiano when asked by BusinessWorld for his thoughts on the mega-fight that is about to happen.
“Like what I said, MMA has everything to gain and nothing to lose. Floyd is still the face of boxing even if he hasn’t competed for two years. Boxing is in the twilight zone. If Floyd loses in this bout, it will definitely be the final nail in the coffin for boxing. It’s hard to imagine a master boxer like Floyd Mayweather to be beaten by an MMA fighter, whom I cannot even consider as a pound-for-pound best. We all know what happened when James Toney decided to wear four-ounce gloves against Randy Couture in August 2010. It was not Toney’s habitat. Plain and simple. But if Floyd loses to Conor, not only he scathes his immaculate record, but it will put boxing behind MMA, cementing MMA as the premier combat sport in the world,” added the analyst who follows and writes about boxing and MMA.
But while a McGregor win could have a tremendous ripple effect, Mr. Icasiano said it is going to be easier said than done since the Irishman is going up against someone who arguably is the best in the boxing business.
“Mayweather will win because he is simply a master boxer. Mayweather is known for dictating the bout’s tempo with his distinctive and effective brand of defensive guile all throughout his career, utilizing his shoulder roll, high-guard and elbow block to get rid of the shots from his foes. In addition, he is recognized as a minimal-but-accurate hitter, clobbering his counterparts with a drop jab, leaning right hand and inside slap hook,” said Mr. Icasiano.
“It is not a secret that McGregor is hittable. For a guy like Nate Diaz, who has a decent boxing for MMA, Conor had a hard time. Moreover, going the distance has been Conor’s problem. For Conor to win, he has to utilize being a southpaw. Floyd’s Philly Shell does not work with lefties. Conor has to be unorthodox inside the ring,” he added.
Asked to comment on how he would call the fight, Mr. Icasiano said it is going to be Mr. Mayweather taking it.
“Floyd Mayweather will win this fight. He said that it won’t go the distance. Here’s my take. I see the outcome of this fight similar to Floyd’s stoppage of Arturo Gatti in June 2005,” said the analyst, referring to the controversial fight between Messrs. Mayweather and Gatti that saw the former scoring a controversial knockdown in the opening round while the fight was seemingly on a lull.
Mr. Mayweather eventually finished Mr. Gatti in six rounds by technical knockout.
The Money Fight is available locally on pay-per-view, check your cable operators for details. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
