Discussions have been rumbling on for over a month concerning the potential money spinning clash between boxing great Floyd Mayweather and UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
It’s hard not to see the potential appeal of pitching the two against each other in the ring–with the strict stipulation that any matchup will be based exclusively on boxing.
However this being said there is also an air of the ridiculous about such a bout, and at time of writing the two camps remain way apart of how revenues and pay TV monies would be split.
Is the Match a Reasonable Idea?
There’s no doubt that both of these men are tremendously successful athletes in their own way, but it’s essential to remember that pure boxing isn’t McGregor’s sole discipline.
Pundits predict that he’ll certainly hold his own against the 10-year-older Mayweather, but is it really fair to measure fighting capability using boxing alone?
There’s no chance of Mayweather performing any other martial arts, so for the fight to go ahead it’s really a case of boxing or bust.
People have also mentioned their concerns over the quality of the fight should it ever go ahead. Mayweather is renowned for his sprightly and defensive approach which is a sharp contrast to McGregor’s direct and all-action style.
Whisper it quietly but many people have reservations that Mayweather would be able to resist an unrelenting attack from McGregor should the two find their way into the ring.
Splitting the Revenues May Be an Insurmountable Problem
Mayweather is believed to have a current fortune of around three billion USD, and has already declared that he will only consider the fight if he receives a purse of $100 million and a lucrative share of TV monies. There’s a certain amount of disrespect and disdain for McGregor who to date has a top individual fight earnings of around $8 million.
“Money” Mayweather has suggested that McGregor–who is holding out for a career best $25 million plus TV monies–simply doesn’t deserve three times his career best just for participating in the fight.
All in all it’s the kind of stratospheric sums that you’d like in your bankroll for the next visit to Vegas Palms online casino!
However credit where due–the Irishman McGregor isn’t the kind of athlete to be talked down. His representatives have suggested that the two men split the prize funds down the middle, with a straight $25 million each and of course broadcasting income.
Having already ruled such an arrangement out–and clearly determined to stay the exclusive No. 1 draw on the night–Mayweather has soundly rejected this an option.
Time Is Running Out
Another important factor that both camps will be all too aware of is that neither fighter is getting any younger. Given that the fight is already considered to be a heavily flawed concept, is it really worth the effort for either man to even take part in such an ambitious bout?
After all Mayweather is rapidly approaching 40 and certainly doesn’t need a huge payday outside of his own requirements. McGregor could certainly be tempted, but the UFC schedule tends to be much more demanding that classic boxing with more fights and much more travel.
Either way if they can come to some compromise it could potentially be one of the biggest money fights in the history of sport–but don’t go betting the mortgage on it just yet!
