Sports Then and Now

The initial press conference between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor illustrates that the draw for their August 26th fight will be as much about hype and fighting skills.

The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor was confirmed in June this year, and is set to take place in Las Vegas on the 26^th of August.

Fighters Have Fun on Social Media

Mayweather confirmed the fight with a social media post in June, with strident Irishman, Conor McGregor, jokingly posting a photo of himself with Floyd Mayweather Sr., the boxing legend’s father, minutes before the official announcement was made.

It’s Been a Long Time Coming

This supreme money fight and crossover boxing match between the UFC champion and undefeated boxer was in the works for more than a year, but it has finally become a reality, and supporters are going wild. When the betting markets opened it was no surprise that Mayweather was the favorite, coming in at -2250, with McGregor coming in at +950. When the official fight announcement was made Mayweather’s odds slipped to -800, and McGregor came back at +500. The odds continue to move as the fighters spar through the media and the hype builds.

One Totally Triumphant Athlete vs. Another

Floyd Mayweather, at 40-years old, won 49 bouts before he retired in September 2015, and is widely held to be one of the finest defensive fighters in history. He prides himself on being able to evade the punishing blows of his opponents by skillfully moving around the ring, and is excellent at making whatever adjustments are required in order to best his adversary on the fly.

Conor McGregor, whilst being the first UFC fighter to hold two belts at the same time –when he knocked Eddie Alvarez out in New York in November 2016 for the lightweight championship – and being both the reigning lightweight champion and former featherweight champion, has never boxed in either a professional or amateur capacity. He is also as well known for his bravado as he is for his volatile knockout power inside the MMA octagon, however, and has remained a firm favorite with the best bets NZ bookmakers offer punters.

Mayweather Stands as the Favorite

The UFC stripped McGregor of the featherweight belt just after the fight in which he won it, thanks to an announcement the fighter made about taking time off after he and his partner welcomed their first child this May. Famous as he is for his overwhelming striking and devastating knockouts, there are still very few punters who will bet against his opponent in the upcoming clash.

Conor’s Southpaw Could Save the Day

The argument for McGregor takes into account Mayweather’s age – at 27-years old, McGregor is far more able to call up the necessary stamina for a fight against the 40-year old – and Mayweather has not dealt well with southpaws in the past. When McGregor makes contact, people fall, and Mayweather will have to bring his best to the ring in order to remain undefeated.

The fight is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and will air across the globe.