Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor - does anyone care?

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather (Getty)
Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather (Getty)

Alex: The whole Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor circus reflects one inescapable truth: boxing is struggling in America. TV coverage is on the wane, with a lack of quality fights; and with pay-per-view cards providing an additional drain on the patience and wallets of fans, the emergence of MMA as a serious competitor in combat sports is no surprise.

Names such as Ali, Frazier, Hagler, Hearns and Tyson are embedded in the fabric of the sport's glorious history. No pastime has been covered more in terms of TV biographies, films, even songwriting. But the romance has gone and, ironically, Mayweather is somewhat responsible.

Arrogant beyond belief, his smug social media presence, coupled with a history of domestic violence, hardly endear him to the general public. And once he starts talking, his gangsta-style patter could be packaged as a three-step audio cure for insomnia.

His astronomical paydays in no way reflect the entertainment value of his fights. A purist fan can appreciate his defensive skills, hand-speed and dedication to the craft. But to the average, casual watcher he's nowhere near box-office. The most hyped sporting event in history [Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao, May 2015] was desperately disappointing. The Filipino was often swatting fresh air, as Mayweather employed his usual stick-and-move tactics. Again, he did all that he needed to do, but there's still a responsibility to entertain. Unbeaten yes, but in demand in 2017? Not so much!

American boxing needs heroes and characters. Not brash, trash-talking hype machines we've all seen before. Contrast this with the UK, where boxing has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence. While Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Amir Khan are global names, Britain can also boast numerous other world champions, including Tony Bellew at cruiserweight (WBC), Billy Joe Saunders (WBO) and Kell Brook (IBF), with plenty of young talent coming through. Polished promoters and intriguing match-ups are pushing the sport to a new level, while Fury's stunning win over Wladimir Klitschko smashed open the heavyweight division.

So, while a McGregor vs Mayweather showdown is invoking a bucketload of criticism and questions, there can be no doubting the scale of its appeal in America, if only for curiosity value. Estimates of the first billion-dollar fight are not completely off the mark. But why is it even on the table?

Brad: You answered that question yourself Mr Bell - money. This is the biggest money-making fight left for Floyd. He's retired and his legacy is complete. Why risk that for a very dangerous mediocre payday against Gennady Golovkin, or a rematch with Canelo Alvarez that no one really cares about?

McGregor is an easy payday, but I don't want you to take that as I think he will be a pushover.

By easy I mean risk vs reward. Let's be honest - if 'CMAC' beat 'Money', it would be the biggest upset in the sport's history. Mayweather should have too much skill for a guy who, in MMA, creates his openings through his reach by generally using kicks. McGregor is also MMA's best counter-striker. Watch the beautiful knockout of Jose Aldo or his dismantling of an aggressive Eddie Alvarez. Mayweather is boxing's greatest ever counter-puncher, so I could see the fight being a snore-fest with 'Money' winning on points. Easy payday.

Now here is the point. Fact is Alex, McGregor is the biggest name in combat sports right now - bigger than Anthony Joshua, bigger than Pacquiao and, yes, bigger than Floyd. And that's why he is on the lips of the 40-year-old every time he opens them.

MMA is now, not-so-slowly, eating away at boxing's popularity. It's no longer thought of as the retarded adopted brother of boxing, or prison violence with rules or glorified cockpit fighting.

Despite old-hags like Bob Arum and Teddy Atlas laughing at this proposed fight as a joke, the PPV numbers will ultimately have the last laugh.

Agree?

(Getty file)
(Getty file)
(Getty file)
(Getty file)

Alex: You're spot on about money, Brad. It's really difficult to know what's going on in the heads of either fighter. I mean Mayweather has been out of the ring for 18 months, so has he lost his edge? McGregor certainly has a massive ego and surely believes he can win? But is he really prepared to risk being made to look like a fool, just for cash.

However, fighting Mayweather would put McGregor on the global stage, which merely illustrates that boxing is far more relevant and important. You're probably right that McGregor is the biggest name in 'combat sports' as you delightfully put it. But the Spice Girls sold millions of records - it doesn't mean they were any good.

And the term 'combat sports' is just a way for the likes of UFC to pull itself up on the coat-tails of boxing. You have TWO names - McGregor and Rousey. And I believe one of them isn't even any good anymore.

Boxing is returning to its rightful place at the top of the sporting table, with Joseph Parker the most Googled New Zealander in 2016. And whether your precious little Irish commodity gets in the ring with Mayweather or not, that fact is not for changing. Take that to the bank!

Brad: Alex please don't get me started on acronyms. Need I remind you about the WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA, STD, CIA, FBI and whatever other Johnny-come lately boxing organisations were formed in the last week.

McGregor has already proven that he can bounce back from adversity with two wins following his first UFC loss to Nate Diaz. He is in a win-win situation. This won't affect his legacy in any way, no matter the result and his pay-day will be through the roof.

Rightful place at top of sporting table? Huh? Who are you kidding? The very first sentence in this debate you suggested that boxing was dying in the US. Parker has lifted the sports profile in NZ, yes. But outside of Mayweather, Pacquiao and maybe Anthony Joshua, the average Kiwi sports fan would probably think Oscar de la Hoya played striker for Barcelona.

Many boxing fans have been laughing at my sport of passion since 1993. This fight  should it happen -  proves just how relevant MMA has become and why this fight is on the brink of happening.

Yes, time has proven that Ronda Rousey wasn't as good as we thought  but to dismiss the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Cain Velesquez, Michael Bisping and Geroges St-Pierre, who all have huge followings within their countries and abroad is naive, but quite frankly not surprising from a boxing nut-hugger.

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