Floyd Mayweather has beaten Conor McGregor as nearly every fight fan expected he would – but McGregor lost no fans with a gutsy display.
One thing’s for sure, they’ll both be laughing all the way to the bank. Here are five talking points from the fight.
More Mayweather versus McGregor
» FAUX: Floyd fooled us again
» Fight report: Mayweather by TKO
» What Mayweather said to McGregor
» Watch video highlights
» Re-live the fight with our live blog
Did it live up to the hype?
Yes, but there were much lower expectations for this fight from genuine boxing fans than there were for Mayweather Pacquiao in 2015. That fight didn’t live up to the hype.
This one was thought by many to be a novelty act, but it was far better than that.
Should Mayweather have won more easily?
Probably yes, but he was justifiably cautious. He literally didn’t know what to expect from McGregor and he was on a hiding to nothing if he lost the fight.
It may have been all part of Mayweather’s strategy to be relatively inactive in the early rounds so he could take McGregor into deep water.
But credit where it’s due. McGregor boxed better than most people thought he would to win the early rounds, using his size, speed and strength to his advantage.
It also needs to be remembered that Mayweather is 40 years old now. He’s always relied on his boxing skill and speed, but tonight he waited for the younger McGregor to tire before he was able to take the fight to him and score his 10th round stoppage. He kept his composure throughout those early rounds.
The win takes Mayweather’s career record to 50-0, going past legendary heavyweight Rocky Marciano (49-0).
(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
How good of a boxer is Conor McGregor?
The answer to that is better than most people would have expected. He’s very upright and open at times, but his speed and ring control were good early. He also showed the ability to switch and mix things up. I’m sure he surprised Mayweather.
Leaked footage from McGregor’s training camp appeared to show him dominating and potentially dropping former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi in a sparring exchange leading up to this fight, though Malignaggi claims he was pushed and that he dominated the rest of the spar.
While Malignaggi isn’t anywhere near the level of Mayweather, he’s a more than capable fighter and if McGregor was able to land shots against him after only a short time in the sport, it was an early indicator that he’s no boxing mug. He also proved that again today.
If he had future boxing bouts, he’d certainly have to work on his stamina though. It was in the championship rounds where he started to fade today. He’s used to shorter fights in UFC, his legs simply couldn’t carry him 12 rounds against a fighter of Mayweather’s calibre.
He also was allowed a bit of latitude today by referee Robert Byrd for back of the head shots, whether that would happen if he continues in boxing is debatable. You could argue though that Mayweather contributed to this by continually turning and putting his head down.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Does it prove who is the better fighter?
No, boxing and UFC are vastly different sports. This was largely a money-making exercise, not one to determine the best fighter. McGregor will have enhanced his reputation though and earned the respect of boxing fans.
Mayweather was always going to win a 12-round boxing match unless McGregor was somehow able to land a KO punch.
McGregor would win an MMA bout unless Mayweather could somehow stay on his feet the entire time. But even if Mayweather was able to do that, going on McGregor’s early performance in this boxing bout, its arguable that he would be able to use his size and beat Mayweather standing up in a shorter UFC bout.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Bring on Alvarez Golovkin
Mayweather McGregor proved to be much more than a novelty act, but for true boxing fans, the September 16 mega-fight between Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez (49-1-1) and Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin (37-0) is what they are really hanging out for.
That middleweight world title fight will decide the pound-for-pound world boxing champion.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Yes it was interesting how it panned out. I think they were both wary of each other early, and the size difference was clearly evident. In hindsight, McGregor would have been better off going for broke early like people thought he would, knowing that he would likely run out of petrol anyway.
Farqueue
Guest
It was supposed to be McGregor throwing the massive bombs and mayweather doing the boxing . I thought McGregor's shots looked weak and mayweather was throwing the big ones. Floyd spent the whole second half of the fight just walking forward with Conner retreating...No one predicted that . I won some money and beers on this fight... Can't believe how many people seriously thought McGregor was gunna win.
chris
Guest
Kris totally agree. Took the wife to the local and had a nice lunch and wine and watched the fight. What a lovely Sunday afternoon
BigJ
Roar Guru
Certainly was cant til.for Ggg v Canelo in three weeks
The Grafter
Guest
Its not about who wins what mate. Its bloody dangerous. An MMA fighter was killed in the ring in June. Boxing, 80 percent plus is head shots. There in lies the difference. Floyd was slow, showed his age, is sure no light middleweight, had no respect for his opponents punching power hence the open walking up throwing out his right hand. Mcgregor would possibly face some serious head damage fighting an in prime 'banger'. I'm hoping he goes back to his roots now before some serious 154's put it out there.
Kris
Guest
This is something that is all too common in society today. People will read something online and then go out of their way to spread someone elses opinion that they have just read without even seeing It with their own eyes Anyone who watched this fight today would've taken it with a grain of salt and enjoyed the spectacle, which was competitive while it lasted. I do think the pay per view price was a bit steep, but this event was being shown for free in most pubs and clubs around the country. Anyone who caught up with their friends today for a few beers wouldn't have left disappointed.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I agree Sam, two different sports that should really stay separate. I'm a boxing person, but hats off to McGregor.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Jordan, it was a better fight than I expected.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
McGregor certainly went better than many thought he would Big J. I'm glad it was a worthwhile fight to watch after all the hype.
Gavin R
Guest
Of course he would lose. But put one of them in the octagon against Conor or Khabib for example and the boxer loses every time. Conor doesn't have the training those boxers you've listed do in boxing.
LuckyEddie
Guest
No just read the blogs, for free. Seen it before and the hype was actually over the top to the point where a lot will realise tonight that they were played for mugs. Sad that sport now is just a marketing product that tries to grind money out of the average worker. WAges have stagnated for years in the West including Aus and yet the media and the sporting 'heroes' just get greedier and greedier. Sad for the average punter that wants a genuine sports contest to watch.
Simon
Guest
I enjoyed the fight a lot more than I thought I would, gonna have to check out UFC
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
For me it was 1. MMA clinch is vastly different to boxing clinch. Many (including myself) expected Conor to get the upper hand in the clinch but that was naive and didn't take into account the subtleties of boxing rules and clinch games which Floyd really played Conor in. 2. MMA boxing hold up surprisingly well technically. Once again most thought Connor would be outclassed technically but he demonstrated technical skills that have earned the respect of a number in the boxing world. He is one of the best boxers in MMA but I'd say TJ Dillashaw and Dominic Cruz could also hang at that level. Mighty Mouse and Frankie Edgar could make an argument for that too. Fun fight. I'm glad it happened but I'm glad it is over and let's hope we can get back to some sense of normalcy.
Kris
Guest
Sounds like you watched the fight Eddie
Jordan c
Guest
Was the result we all expected just took a little longer to get there, quality read John.
LuckyEddie
Guest
Why would anyone pay money to watch a scripted fight where one of the 'fighters' has never actually fought in a boxing match? The major feat of the night goes to the marketing people that sold this stitch up to the public, they are the ones that deserve the big pay day.
Kris
Guest
He stole some rounds in a sport that he's never competed in before and gave a good account of himself bar maybe 1-2 rounds. I am a big boxing fan myself, but I think you've got your blinders on mate.
The Grafter
Guest
I think if McGregor was to fight a prime, heavyhanded light middleweight such as Charlo, Hurd, Alverez or even a 147 like Thurman or Spence going up, he would get seriously hurt. Hes proved hes got plenty of heart, but its not a game in the ring. Head shots, 36 minutes of fighting is different to where hes from. Roll on three weeks.
LuckyEddie
Guest
You do not have to be skilled to cop a bashing.
Kris
Guest
I'm a boxing fan who up until this point has had 0 interest in the UFC. Conor showed tremendous skill and heart in this fight until it was stopped. He's definitely made a new fan who will be tuning into his next Pay Per View, whether that be in boxing or the UFC.