Former boxing champion, and current coach, Robert Garcia is impressed with UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor’s skills in the boxing ring.
Garcia has been one of McGregor’s biggest critics. He doesn’t believe the UFC champion will have any success in his upcoming fight against Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
However, after watching McGregor spar with former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi, Garcia admitted McGregor has some skills.
During a recent interview, Garcia was shown the sparring footage between McGregor and Malignaggi for the first time.
“Holy (expletive)! It did look like a real knock down,” Garcia said when McGregor knocked Malignaggi to the ground.
“A referee would have counted it as a knockdown,” Garcia said when asked if he thought McGregor knocked Malignaggi down or if he pushed him down.
In the video below, you can watch Garcia watch the sparring footage. After watching the footage, Garcia still believes McGregor doesn’t have a chance against Mayweather, but he was surprised McGregor has success against a fight the caliber of Malignaggi.
“He lands some good ones,” Garcia said. “Nice left. He landed some good ones. I just didn’t think he could do something like that with Paulie.”
Mayweather vs. McGregor will take place Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
