Now that was about a dumb commercial. Some pharma company is advertising a new miracle drug that causes less major bleeding. Hey, I don't want ANY major bleeding. In fact, none at all would be preferable. Why would anybody in their right mind take these pills? And, oh yeah, if you experience nausea, diarrhea, a swollen tongue, dizziness, numbness, or even sudden death -- by all means stop taking them and call your doctor right away. Please.
On to the M and M boys.
It just so happens I have a friend, let's call him TT, that is a third degree (dan) black belt. Though he's learned the discipline of being peaceful (anything to avoid a confrontation), which is typical of someone at that martial arts level, there is no doubt whatsoever this is a man capable of hurting somebody, seriously and quickly, if given no way out.
We recently chatted regarding the upcoming Mayweather/McGregor bout. Here is his take:
Though many, including the odds-makers, view Floyd as the favorite, he disagrees.
On the plus side, he cedes Floyd is clearly the superior boxer. Also this fight will be held in his own back yard, Las Vegas. Further, he assumes the ring-side judges will be predisposed to favor Floyd if the bout goes the full 12 rounds and a decision has to be rendered. Basically, he sees no way Conor can win such a decision.
But on the minus side, he points out a few things.
First, Mayweather was/is asking for disaster when he agreed to fight with 8 oz. gloves. These much more resemble the fist pads in octagon fights than the puffy 16 oz. nerf gloves used in most high level boxing matches. Advantage definitely McGregor.
TT considers Mayweather to be a "paper" champion. True, he was/is undefeated and has boxed against many good opponents, but his style has always been that of pitty-pat and run, rather than actually fight. TT doesn't think Floyd can seriously hurt Conor with such tactics, but conversely says if Conor ever connects with a solid shot, Mayweather's in deep trouble. This dude CAN hit, HARD. Plus he's lightning fast and will find a way to cut off the ring to "engage" here and there. Major disadvantage Mayweather.
Third are the age and conditioning factors. Though he's typically in great shape, Mayweather is also 40 years old.
Conversely, McGregor is a training machine, fanatical. And only 29, at the peak of his strength/endurance ratio. He would have no problem whatsoever with getting "gassed" during the fight.
Huge disadvantage Mayweather.
His prediction?
He sees McGregor ending the fight early via knockout, likely in the first 3-4 rounds. He'll be all over Mayweather from the opening bell, and Floyd will only be able to pitty-pat, escape and run so many times before he gets caught.
Yet yours truly has pondered one question, which hasn't been addressed, since this "fight" was agreed to. Why, pray tell, would Mayweather want to do it?
Most peg his net worth at somewhere around 400-500 million, so he obviously doesn't need the money. Plus he "retired" 49-0, undefeated, the same record as heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano over a half century ago.
And doesn't it follow that if he were to lose this bout, his entire legacy would take a serious hit? He got in the ring under conditions entirely dictated by his own camp with a guy that has never professionally boxed before, fighting with less than half his potential skills-- and lost -- maybe even got knocked out? Oh my, how his name and rep would take a beating.
On the other hand, McGregor has already been defeated three times in his own world of fighting. If he loses this, other than bragging rights, no serious harm done, plus he'll get a boatload of money himself for his trouble. He can easily slide back into the mixed martial arts world and likely continue to fight for quite some time.
But TT had an answer for that. People like Mayweather never know when to say quit. It has been the downfall of other champions, notably Mohammed Ali. They keep coming back, long after their prime, and eventually get their brains beat out by younger, stronger, faster, hungrier fighters. Humiliated in the sport they were once so great at.
He sees the very same happening to Mayweather when he gets in the ring with McGregor, whom he calls an "animal" not to be trifled with.
According to TT, Mayweather is a man clearly past his prime, was an arrogant fool to accept this fight with a younger, much more physical superior opponent, and he's going to pay for it.
Dearly.
Far be it from me to disagree with a third degree black belt who's been doing this stuff his whole life. On the way up the ladder, he no doubt kicked a lot of butt, but also got trashed himself along the way. Goes with the territory. In other words, TT's been there, done that, and it's a pretty safe bet the man knows what he's talking about.
Yet we shall see.....
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