Mike Tyson isn’t exactly against Conor McGregor taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. But if the superfight goes down as currently constructed, the boxing legend is highly skeptical.
The highly anticipated bout has drawn some criticism among boxing purists, who believe a UFC star like McGregor trying to box a proven fighter like Mayweather would tarnish the sport. In a recent interview with Sirius XM Sports, Tyson was asked if he agreed with that sentiment. His response was… complicated.
“No, I don’t believe it can ruin boxing at all,” Tyson said. “Only way it can ruin boxing is if McGregor goes and boxes Floyd, because he’s going to look really ridiculous boxing him.
“But if he goes in there with the UFC stuff, now this could be pretty interesting.”
Of course, the plan all along has been for McGregor to fight Mayweather in a boxing match — aka, no kicks or grappling allowed. And if that’s what actually happens, Tyson believes “The Notorious” doesn’t stand a chance.
“(McGregor) doesn’t win in a boxing match,” Tyson said simply.
To parse this out, it sounds like Tyson does, in fact, believe a McGregor-Mayweather superfight would be detrimental to boxing unless the rules of the fight somehow change over the next few months. Not that his opinion will stop viewers from shelling out millions of dollars to see it.
“People will pay for anything,” Tyson added. “If two people are fighting, people will pay for it.”
H/t to FOX Sports
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Michael Clevenger/The Courier-Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK
