The likelihood of Floyd Mayweather Jr. schooling Conor McGregor on August 26th is higher than the stack of cash they can pile up from this astronomical pay-per-view. This is, after all, a 49-0, multi-division champion, Hall-of-Fame-bound boxer versus a literal rookie of the sport.
What’s funny, though, is that it was Floyd’s own business partner, Leonard Ellerbe (CEO of Mayweather Productions), who had the best prediction for the matchup. He said it best when he said “As long as a guy has two hands, anything can happen.”
Here’s a few ways how the big underdog can defy the odds.
More news for Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This is the number one criticism on McGregor, as he totally gassed out in his first fight with Nick Diaz, which ultimately caused him to get submitted. In their second fight – although he eventually got the win – he was clearly taking a breather after every combination he applied on Diaz.
If he can mix his offense with a 12-round, 36-minute type of stamina, he should – at the very least – look competitive.
HAVE THE RIGHT PATIENCE
It’s obviously easier said than done, but this is what many of Floyd’s opponents have failed to possess in their respective fights. Conor should know that against a defensive and crafty boxer like Mayweather, being too forward can rarely cut it, because he has seen it before and will figure it out, while also chipping away with crucial jabs and round points little-by-little.
Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Marcos Maidana (first bout), and Jose Luis Castillo (first bout) are aggressive fighters that balanced aggression and patience well in their respective matches with Floyd, and it’s not a coincidence that all of those losses were deemed to be very debatable.
HAVE DEFENSE AND HAND QUICKNESS
Floyd is among the best defensive boxers AND counter punchers in the history of the sport, so Conor’s offense should be extra quick and efficient in his hits, and his hands should be just as quick on reverting back into a defensive stance and reacting to counters.
GET IN FLOYD’S HEAD
Half of him could be in there right now. Following the controversial back-and-forth they had in their world tour earlier in the month, it’s safe to say that no one has ever mocked Floyd the way Conor has. His trash talk and antics are so good, it can probably irritate Kawhi Leonard or even a freaking Monk.
Mind games can get the better of everyone, so if Mayweather falls into that trap and becomes a careless aggressor, don’t be surprised if McGregor pulls off a UFC 194-like ending.
