How Conor McGregor can beat Floyd Mayweather
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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Conor McGregor has his dream fight.
Due to fight Floyd Mayweather on August 26th, the odds are stacked against McGregor to come up trumps against the undefeated legendary boxer, but it’s not an insurmountable task.
Here’s how McGregor can stun the boxing world and knock off Mayweather.
Ring rust is real
It’s been over two years since Mayweather called time on his illustrious, unbeaten career.
While I’m sure he’s been keeping himself in shape, especially given the hype this fight has had over the last 6-12 months, but he’s not been in the ring for a long time.
McGregor has been chomping at the bit for this fight, working in overdrive to fine tune his boxing ability so he can level the playing field.
Mayweather might not be as good as he was several years ago which may pay dividends.
Age factor
McGregor is in the prime of his career right now.
In peak physical condition aged 28, the Irishman has 12 years on his opponent entering this fight.
While boxers have great longevity providing they stay healthy, Mayweather at 40 years old will be slower, weaker and just a lesser version of his former self, playing into McGregor’s hands.
Punching power
Mayweather has been criticised for a rather defensive style of boxing, trying not to lose rather than trying to win at some points in his career.
McGregor’s style is all about power and speed. He’s won 21 fights in his career with 18 coming by way of knockout which is a huge percentage of his fights, much greater than Mayweather’s which stands at 26 KO wins from 49.
Given his age, Mayweather might be more susceptible to harder, quicker punching which McGregor offers.
He's a southpaw
During his career, Mayweather has always had an issue against southpaw fighters.
It’s been claimed that in his early career, Floyd would purposely avoid left-handed opponents because he struggled against them.
Most southpaw fighters Mayweather has fought in his career have all managed to land damaging blows, causing bleeding of the nose or cuts in and around the eye.
“I’ve preached this all along. The left hand is the Kryptonite for Mayweather. He just does not know how to block a jab. It’s just not part of his arsenal. It’s not a part of his defence, blocking that jab,” Oscar De La Hoya said about Mayweather prior to his fight with another southpaw, Manny Pacquiao.
The pressure
While this is a career defining fight for McGregor, he stands to have it all to gain and little to lose in this fight, while Mayweather is putting up his undefeated record against the Irishman.
Mayweather will be under pressure to preserve that record and he won’t be terribly adventurous or attacking, which could entice McGregor in and with his significant power and speed, could see him edge this fight.
Sheer blitzing speed
Mayweather does possess great agility and a sharp punching speed, but he’s never faced someone with the velocity and explosiveness of McGregor.
He has the ability to start the fight like a house on fire and just try and blow the boxing icon out of the water.
You can have the best defence but repeated, accurate punches will take their toll.