Earlier today, undefeated legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (49-0) stepped onto the scales perhaps for the final time in his illustrious career opposite UFC lightweight champion “The Notorious” Conor McGregor (debut) in a bout which pits the boxing and MMA worlds against each other.
Mayweather docked in at a lean and trim 149 pounds while McGregor registered at 153 pounds. The two square off at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow night, Saturday, August 26th in what is expected to be the richest fight in combat sports history.
The bout is contested in boxing’s 154 pound junior middleweight division so it’s interesting to take note that Mayweather weighed in way under the limit. It is also hardly surprising. Mayweather has never weighed in near the junior middleweight limit. In fact, he weighed in at 151 pounds against Miguel Cotto back in 2012.
Floyd Mayweather 149 lbs., Conor McGregor 153 lbs.
Conversely, McGregor weighing in at 153 pounds means he is expected to be much larger tomorrow night. When asked by Showtime’s Jim Gray what he expects to come in as, McGregor said he should be close to 170 pounds. If so, that is a huge size difference in favor of McGregor. However, Mayweather weighing in light means he most likely wants to use his speed and elusiveness, which has troubled all 49 of his previous opponents.
There was a huge turnout for Ireland at the weigh in. “Las Vegas is Ireland now,” said McGregor, when asked why so many fans favored him instead of the boxing champion.
In response, Mayweather kept it simple: “I’ve been here before. I know what it takes what it’s a fight of this magnitude. The fans can’t fight for you,” said Mayweather. “Weight doesn’t win fights, fighting wins fights,” he said in response to the disparity on the scale. “It won’t go the distance, mark my words.”
One of the biggest factors that could work in favor for McGregor is the fact that the boxing legend is 40 years old and in the 21st year of his long and glorious career. On the other hand, McGregor is 29 years of age and in his physical prime. The Irishman is certainly banking on Mayweather showing his age in the ring.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWgl-wagdCs&w=1280&h=720]
The talk is over, now all that’s left is to fight
Tomorrow night, when all the dust is settled and all the smoke is cleared, Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will get in the ring and finally settle the score. The talk is over. All that’s left is to fight.
Many fans expect Mayweather to outbox McGregor easily to a decision. McGregor says he won’t go past the fourth round. Both guys vow to knock each other out and it doesn’t get any better than this.
Fans are also curious as to what McGregor will bring to the table, style-wise. He has never been in the boxing ring professionally. And with a fight of this magnitude, it’s a hell of a way to go in your first fight. McGregor has even said previously that he would use a number of styles, such as Capoeira or Karate. Mayweather is expected to come out in his usual Philly shell defensive stance. It’s an interesting matchup that has many dynamics.
