Is Mayweather Past His Best?

This Saturday, 26 August, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the fight that everyone is talking about will take place as unbeaten boxing legend Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather takes on the biggest name in the UFC, Conor McGregor, in what has been labelled the Billion Dollar Fight. The bout is one of the most highly anticipated for a long time and, although it is excepted that Mayweather will win and is only in this for the money, the fact remains that he hasn’t elected to fight a boxer, rather a fighter from another arena. Why? Is the Vegas stalwart, famed for his love of cash and multi-million-pound bets, accepting that he is past his physical prime? Despite all the commotion, former British world Heavyweight champion, Lenox Lewis recently told the BBC that the fight is little more than a farce. But do not expect fans to be troubled by that. The pay-per-view record – also held by Mayweather – should be eclipsed again this weekend if the pre-fight hype is anything to go by. For those looking to do so, TV viewers can head over to Sky Sports Box Office where, for less than £20, the fight should be beamed into their living rooms some time in Sunday’s early hours. A brilliant fighter’s career Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Source: lasvegassoul.com OK, let’s look at what Mayweather has achieved thus far. In 49 professional fights, he has lost precisely none, winning 26 by knock-out, while raking in close to $1bn. This figure, by the way, should be breached by Sunday, according to team Mayweather’s PR. It’s also worth noting that his career is one in which he has progressed up the weights. Indeed, he has won belts in five divisions (Super Lightweight, Lightweight, Super Welterweight and Welterweight). Impressive stuff, no? Figures sourced from ESPN and CompuBox show Mayweather even fares favorably in comparisons with boxing’s finest, topping the likes of Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and even Muhammad Ali. Only Joe Louis came close statistically. Mayweather would do well, then, to heed the Joe Louis' story, as two years after his retirement in 1948, a lack of money forced him back into boxing where he lost by unanimous decision to Ezzard Charles. Nine fights later he lost again to rising star Rocky Marciano, taking the sheen off a glittering career. Is there an outside chance? McGregor struts his stuff Source: telegraph.co.uk As news breaks that Conor McGregor is betting big on himself, it might prove to be a tad wiser for us to back the pro-boxer, even if his best days are behind him. An excellent blog post by 888casino weighs up all the potential outcomes of the fight and provides fascinating inside knowledge, it goes some way to explaining how short the Mayweather odds are. Yet, for all this, do not rule out the Irishman. There are those that are holding out hope that the young challenger will be the one laughing on Saturday night. US Boxing trainer, Freddie Roach admits to being a big fan of McGregor but believes the match must be over quickly – inside four rounds – if the UFC man is to stand any chance of success. This though is unlikely as ‘The Money’ tends to provide value in his entertainment, with all but one of his fights in the past six years going the 12-round distance. Epic Finale But the question remains that, at 40 (his birthday is Friday), can the boxer himself last 12 rounds? His last fight was just under two years ago and went largely, and strangely for him, unnoticed. In 12 lacklustre rounds he dismissed Andre Berto, drawing in 550,000 viewers on subscription TV, his poorest haul since 2006. Stuck at fight number 49 and with such a disappointing take, this simply wouldn’t do for the ultimate showman and so, we are now faced with one final appearance, showcasing another chance to rise to the occasion and perform at his best to see of McGregor. And, as a master of the defensive side of the game and possessing one of the finest tactical minds boxing has ever seen, he should have more than enough to see of this new comer to the sport. To recap The fight takes place on Saturday 26th August. There is expected to be a huge TV audience. Mayweather is undefeated in 49 fights. McGregor is 11 years his junior, making some people believe he will have the physical edge. Mayweather is the hot favorite due to his experience and class in the ring.