It's happening. Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will go glove-to-glove in a boxing ring in August.
American Mayweather, with 49 wins from 49 fights (including 26 knockouts) will be taking on Irishman McGregor, who has transformed UFC and become a global star in the process.
For the neutral, the contest will be a thrilling watch. The 'billion-dollar fight', as it will likely be known, will draw in not only a huge arena crowd, but a mega TV audience.
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Following the announcement, McGregor's former sparring partner Chris van Heerden leaked training footage which doesn't bode well for the Irishman...
Credit:Twitter / Chris van Heerden
But for the experts, there are definitely two sides of the fence. Fans of Mayweather think it's a 'fucking insult' that the fight should even be considered, whereas McGregor's supporters think it's a chance for MMA to stand 'side-by-side' with boxing.
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Steve Bunce is perhaps described by many as 'the voice of British boxing' while John Godden is the lead play-by-play commentator for the UFC. Both talked to LADbible on what will happen when McGregor and Mayweather go toe-to-toe.
THE PROSPECT
"The bare-faced cheek of McGregor, who thinks he can box against the greatest fighter of all time, the greatest defensive fighter, is a fucking insult," Bunce told us.
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Gooden questions the comment: "Why is this an insult? It's two elite athletes, who want to pitch their skills against each other, to test each other."
However, the UFC expert also highlights the big money event around it all. "It's a business where people want to make money," Gooden stated. "Who are we to deny this opportunity? Especially among two of the most difficult sports in the world."
Mayweather, who upon retirement held the WBA, WBC, and WBO welterweight titles, is up to face McGregor, who has 21 wins from 24 fights.
THE FIGHT
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Bunce is in no doubt who will win the contest. He said: "In a boxing ring, under boxing rules, no kicking, no butting, no elbows, then Mayweather would win every single second of every single round. McGregor would not touch him.
"Even allowing for Mayweather to be inactive, people forget that he often fought after a year out. He's permanently fit, in permanent condition. Even Bradley Skeet, the British welterweight champion, wouldn't win a round against Mayweather.
"The fight would not go the whole distance. McGregor, like he did against Nate Diaz, would look for a way out. The referee would end up stopping the fight. I don't reckon this would happen, I know!"
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Gooden felt it would be a much closer fight, as he said: "Conor is a true fighter, he doesn't put things in boxes, he challenges himself and this is something he wanted to do.
"It's not massively outside the realms of what an MMA fighter would do. Conor has such a strong hold on the mental side of the game, he seems limitless whether fighting in boxing or MMA gloves.
"He's a real student of the fight game. I wouldn't look at the individual things - it's a package with him. His athleticism, his craft and his arts. The way he can deliver, incredible power, alongside his strong mindset, is his greatest asset.
Credit: Facebook
BOXING STYLE
What about their respective styles? Mayweather has worked a lot throughout his career on developing a great defensive stance - something Bunce believed could play into his hands.
"He's transformed his style throughout his career from an aggressive fighter to a defensive master," said Bunce. "As he got heavier, putting on a stone, he worked on his defence. There's nothing more tiring than failing to hit an opponent. McGregor has poor hands and feet. He got jabbed into oblivion by Diaz."
Diaz was the last man to defeat McGregor, but that won't affect his mindset, according to Gooden.
"It starts outside the ring for Conor. He'll capitalise on every part of warfare," said Gooden. "I don't think Conor will come in and dominate Mayweather, but he has a good chance in the early rounds."
Is that an admittance that Conor may not last if the fight goes on? "Conor will have to tune his body differently," Godden explained. "His ring craft is very good. It's a difficult ask but he's in good stead."
THE COMMERCIAL SIDE
Neither man can deny the huge marketability around the event. The fight could be one of both sports' biggest money makers in a long time.
"Conor only has marketability," said Bunce. "He's convincing people that he has a chance, and that's through his marketability, his guts and his heart; he's a cult hero.
"Maybe for the first time we're seeing MMA standing side-by-side with boxing," reckoned Gooden. "Our light is up there with boxing's greats. We're still a baby sport, boxing has been around for a long time, but it speaks volumes for the evolution of the sport, not only for Conor as an individual, but the PR machine of the UFC, too.
"Apart from Ronda Rousey, few athletes attract attention like Conor. When he steps in the arena, everyone watches."
Credit: PA
BOXING v MMA
There's no questioning both men are up for the fight.
"Mayweather told me he wants to fight," Bunce revealed. "He said it'll be the easiest night of his life."
Gooden said: "[McGregor is] hot right now. And normally what he says happens, does. Who would deny what he is setting out to do? It'll be a massive event. It's an epic call out, and only one man in the MMA world could have done that."
In fairness, Bunce did partly defend McGregor and said the result would be different if the fight took place in an MMA arena.
"In the Octagon, McGregor would finish him [Mayweather] in 12 seconds, but you don't hear boxers saying I can go into MMA - that's why it's a fucking insult," he said.
"A boxer doesn't know about Ju-Jitsu, he doesn't know about kicking, it's a different art form."
Credit: Fight Hub TV
The respect for the opponent is mutual in the MMA world for the boxers, too.
"Mayweather has done it before where he's taken time out, come back, and won," said Gooden. "It may have suited him better, we just don't know what he's been doing to keep himself in shape, but there is the point of 'ring rust' and even champions are susceptible."
The tension is tight already, and that's only between the pundits.
"Peter McDonaugh has been Irish champion at three weights, 19 wins, 19 defeats, and he's asked to fight Conor McGregor," concluded Bunce. "There are guys asking to fight McGregor who Mayweather wouldn't even spar with."
"Conor keeps surprising us," were the final thoughts of Gooden. "It's the way in which he wins that blows your mind. My hat will be well and truly off if he does this."
One clear winner? A close fight? Ireland or America? Whose corner are you in?
Featured Image Credit: Mayweather PromotionsTopics: Conor Mcgregor, Floyd Mayweather