#MIDDLEBURY #SPORTS
By Mark Vasto
Prediction: It’s gonna happen.
Bonus prediction: Floyd Mayweather will beat Conor McGregor.
Suggestion: Bet on McGregor because I may have the worst track record in history when it comes to predicting anything.
I was thinking about this the other night when I saw one of the most absurd things ever flash across my news ticker. No way, I thought to myself. This cannot be true, I said aloud. But enough about our president’s tweets … Xavier beats Maryland? Duke loses? Villanova’s gone? Looking at my bracket in stunned silence – kind of like the dead air on Mike Francesa’s show – the hits kept coming, courtesy of Dana White and the UFC lightweight champion.
The arena has been reserved in Las Vegas for a September match.
Could it possibly be true that a retired champion at age 40 can take on a brash 28-year-old? Would he put his undefeated record on the line?
“Yep,” Mayweather said.
Well, there ya have it.
It would be the biggest fight in history in terms of money and audience, and it would rival Louis-Schmeling, Ali-Frazier and the rematch of Rocky Balboa against Clubber Lang in terms of significance. It will net a billion-dollar payday, the largest in history. It has that irresistible hook: Who would win in a fight between the two fighting styles?
Mayweather, even at 40, still has considerable speed and is the best defensive boxer and cheap-shot artist in history, period. Though McGregor has a 2-inch reach advantage, Mayweather’s speed and footwork render that to nothing. McGregor likes to slip big overhand lefts after sliding off an opponent’s jab, but it’s hard to see him doing that much. Mayweather will work the angles, move in and out, and should easily win in a decision after dismantling McGregor in every single round, barring a stoppage due to a cut. But, hey … as long as McGregor is in there, he still has a puncher’s chance.
McGregor has a lease lined up for a training facility and has a California state boxing license. A former amateur Irish boxing champ, he trained with two Freddie Roach proteges. Expect to see Roach in his corner.
Also, expect to hear a lot – and I mean a lot – of trash talking from McGregor.
“Watch me take over boxing,” McGregor said. “No one in this boxing game knows what is coming. Look me in the eyes: 28 years old, confident as a [expletive], long range [and] dangerous with every hand … trust me, I will stop Floyd. The whole world will eat their words.”
Both fighters have been around the block a few times. In September, we’ll get to see if it was a good idea to cross the street.
Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in New Jersey.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
