Chris van Heerden recently made headlines after releasing footage of him sparring with UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor.
In the footage, Heerden is seen getting the better of McGregor when it comes to boxing.
Heerden has received criticism for releasing the footage, with some people suggesting he betrayed McGregor. However, Heerden claims to have a good reason for leaking the sparring footage. He shared his reasoning while talking to MMAjunkie.
“When people ask me why I’ve released this footage now, it’s because it hurts me that there are guys like myself who have been devoted to this sport, risking our lives. And to see McGregor, who has zero knowledge of professional boxing, make it out like he could just get out of an octagon, step in the ring and beat up the best pound-for-pound fighter out there – to just make out like our lifestyle is so easy and that anybody could do it, and then for people to be saying he has a big chance of beating Floyd. I just thought, judge for yourself. Boxing is a completely different type of standup fighting to MMA, and 12 rounds is a hell of a long time. If you’ve never done it, you’re in for a rude awakening.”
McGregor will make his professional boxing debut against Floyd “Money” Mayweather on Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
