Mayweather-McGregor boxing match draws hype, and a clear favorite

By Victor Mather, New York Times News Service

Saturday, June 17, 2017 | 2 a.m.

Generally, the most exciting question about a much-anticipated sporting event is the basic one: Who is going to win?

But the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor boxing match on Aug. 26 is attracting a huge amount of attention despite a rather awkward fact: Everyone thinks that Mayweather is going to win.

Mayweather is a boxing legend, undefeated, with wins over greats like Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Márquez, Saúl Álvarez, known as Canelo, Manny Pacquiao and virtually every top boxer near his weight in the last 15 years. Yes, he is 40 and hasn’t fought in almost two years, but many of his biggest wins came in his late 30s, often in dominating performances.

For his part, McGregor is the first man to hold two Ultimate Fighting Championship belts simultaneously. He is also brash, charismatic and hugely entertaining, with a devoted following.

But here’s the thing: He isn’t a boxer. Though he boxed some as a teenager in the amateur ranks, he has made his professional career in mixed martial arts, a very different animal, where standing up and punching has value, but where wrestling, kickboxing and martial arts skills are also crucial.

Could McGregor actually step into the ring with a boxing great and come away with a victory?

Let’s start with the odds. Depending on which bookmaker you frequent, if you like McGregor to win, you can get anywhere from 6-1 to 10-1 on the proposition right now.

It’s hard to find a pundit or expert who would take that price.

“No amount of salesmanship, misdirection or promotional razzle-dazzle can alter the obvious: McGregor’s chances under the unified rules of boxing that will govern the 26 August meeting are so infinitesimal they’re hardly worth discussing.” — The Guardian.

“It might as well be a 1,000,000-1. McGregor has virtually no chance to win.” — The Ring

“UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor is not going to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a pure boxing match. There is no chance, not even the much discussed puncher’s variety.” — Bleacher Report

Twitter added to the chorus. The boxer Frank Buglioni: The only reason to watch #MayweatherMcGregor is just to see what round Mayweather stops him in.

Kevin McCauley of SBNation: Mayweather will win a 12-0 decision over McGregor. Neither will land a punch that hurts the other. Don’t give them your money.

The former boxer Darren Barker: Right Mayweather absolutely plays with Mcgregor over 12 rounds and he will get stick for giving out the lesson!

Surely there must be somebody, somewhere who picks McGregor to win?

Oh, there is one. According to the UFC president, Dana White, this particular prognosticator is “100 percent confident” that McGregor will win by a knockout.

That forecaster? Conor McGregor.