Gloves off for fight circus

For more than 200 years, boxing – or bare-knuckle fighting, developed within fairgrounds with the champion of the circus challenging locals to earn a living. 

The fighting game slowly evolved to the extent that each region of a country would have three of four fairgrounds with the fighters competing for a championship and the winners from each region fighting to become acclaimed as a national champion.

The introduction in 1867 of the Marquis of Queensbury rules changed the challenge into a sport, including ending the days of bareknuckle (although the original still thrives illegally underground) pugilism. However, that did not mean the end of the circus attraction. Even the ‘Greatest’, Muhammad Ali showcased his talent for charity in front of Ron Taylor’s Boxing Emporium in 1977.

With the circus-style antics displayed by Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather and ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor it could be argued that the sport has turned full circle, particularly as the Nevada Commission has recently sanctioned the use of lighter gloves.
Bizarrely, Ali was also involved in a fight that divided opinion to a similar extent when he fought Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki in a mixed-rules bout in 1976. The fight was a complete farce with Inoki spending much of the time on his back kicking Ali’s legs while the Greatest only threw six punches in all 15 rounds.

To find one positive it was this fight that was considered by some to be the birthplace of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a sport that has spawned the champion who has enticed Mayweather out of retirement.

He is widely regarded as being the best defensive fighter in history and pioneered the ‘shoulder-roll’ defence that has made him so elusive and hard to hit.  His skillful movement enabled him to retire with a perfect 49-0 record, matching the great Rocky Marciano.

McGregor has already lost three of his fights in the cage although his 21 victories made him the sports first two-weight champion and richest star having headlined four of the highest pay-per-view TV events in UFC history.

Despite borrowing showman antics from Mayweather’s playbook (at least those after he transformed himself from ‘Pretty Boy’ in 2007), McGregor at this early stage of his career can still only dream about earning close to Money’s net worth, estimated to be in excess of $350m, having grossed more than $1bn.

Both men are expected to earn nine-figure sums from this fight with Mayweather even having sold placement advertising for his clothing for this fight for $30m with his total income expected to reach $400m.

This is an obvious lure for him to take the fight, combined with the opportunity to surpass Marciano. However, he is putting his reputation and legacy on the line in the ring for one last time. Mayweather himself is notorious for assessing the risks and is heavy favourite against a complete novice in the ring.

The outcome is dividing opinion, mainly along generational lines. Those in the ‘old’ corner consider Mayweather’s pedigree and record and cannot consider that any boxer, let alone someone fighting in the ring for the first time, even stands the remotest chance.

Younger fans raised on WWE and MMA have bought into McGregor’s hype and ardently believe that he will have his hand raised as champion.
It is this division that has ensured the endless coverage this fight has received, despite boxing purists decrying the bout as a farce. So what does McGregor bring that engenders such belief amongst his fans?

The Irishman holds the MMA record for the fastest-ever knockout, laying Jose Aldo on his back in 14 seconds. Anyone in the ring has a punchers-chance and McGregor has one of the most powerful left fists in probably either sport.

It is also this southpaw style that engenders hope as Mayweather has traditionally struggled more against such fighters with Oscar de la Hoya describing left-handers as his ‘kryptonite’.

McGregor will also bring an unorthodox technique that, despite his experience, will take Money time to evaluate. Indeed, he came closest to defeat when securing a majority decision over Marcos Maidana who was considered to be a brawler. The MMA-specialist is likely to throw punches in a different style and even hit with a different part of the hand.

McGregor is the naturally heavier and taller man and constantly stalks his opponents, admittedly over shorter contests. 
In the octagon he is known for his striking ability and accuracy. In his second fight against Nate Diaz he landed 164 of his 286 attempts, albeit against a fighter without the defensive skills of Mayweather.

Part of the intrigue for this fight emanates from wonder as to whether or not Mayweather will adapt the style that has been his trademark and brought so much success. Will his famously brittle hands last with the lighter gloves? I also suspect some will watch hoping to see McGregor slip in a rear choke!

The boxer’s last legitimate knock-out was Ricky Hatton in 2007, although he technically KO’d Victor Ortiz in 2011 while distracted talking to the referee! I doubt that the trash-talking will rile Mayweather but will a more open defence and lack of ring-craft encourage Money to be more aggressive?

There are many who have opposed this fight. However, it is a reflection of the decline in modern boxing that this fight is set to be the highest-grossing ever.

The reasons for this are manifold and well-documented although the lack of a clearly identifiable champion is high on the list of reasons why boxing has been marginalised. Ironically, last weekend American light-welterweight Terence Crawford became the first undisputed four-belt world champion in 12 years.

With four sanctioning bodies issuing belts across 17 classes the sport has become incomprehensible to the casual observer while cheapening the currency of a world title. It also allows agents to steer their clients away from tougher opponents.

Due to his style and his perceived arrogance Mayweather is a man who divides opinion. For every purist who pays to watch him fight and admire his style there will be another fan paying to watch him lose – and there will be several venues in Bahrain opening especially to show the fight, such as Wembley Lounge at the Premier Hotel, Juffair.

Whatever the outcome of the fight, McGregor is already a winner. In addition to the massive revenue stream he has catapulted himself and MMA more into the mainstream, although the sport already has a big following in the kingdom, thanks to the Bahrain-based Brave Combat Federation.

ABU’S PREDICTION: McGregor to come out all guns blazing believing he has the power and technique to conquer. Indeed he has predicted that he will knock out Mayweather in the first two rounds. As a result, Mayweather will be extra cautious and apply more pressure the longer the fight continues. 

Mayweather will win, probably on points, or by a stoppage late on if he cuts McGregor. Yet there is something about the Irishman that makes me wonder. Despite the rights and wrongs of permitting this fight, that’s what makes it so intriguing!