It’s time for yet another disappointing big boxing
match. At least that’s what the sports
“experts” were saying in a rare display of honesty. In fact, they were quite upset about this
fight making a “travesty” of boxing. As
if we’ve forgotten all the crappy fights and controversies before this and this
time we should be upset. Actually, all
of the talk probably had the opposite effect and people ordered the fight out
of curiosity. Also, given how one-sided
the analysis has been, people may have been watching just on the possibility of
seeing an upset.
Regardless, this was actually an interesting matchup. Here we have undefeated, unlikable, and the
very technical (read: boring) boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is 40 and has been retired for over a
year. In the other corner, there’s
loud-mouthed UFC fighter, Conor McGregor.
He can box, but as an MMA fighter, that’s not his preferred fighting
style. Conor is in his prime and been
fighting regularly. Just writing this
out, it’s kind of strange that anyone even thought to arrange this match for
anything other than money. On the face
of it, it’s like a freak show exhibition where it’s only going to embarrass
everyone involved. Maybe the “experts”
were right.
I was a bit more open-minded before the fight. My own prediction was “12 rounds, split
decision for Mayweather just to set up the re-match.” Given the other Mayweather fights I’ve seen,
how could I think anything otherwise, no matter who the opponent was? You think Floyd’s going to fight Canelo or
anybody good at this point? He waited
until Pacquiao got old before he fought him.
Still, there was always the chance something interesting would happen
and there wasn’t anything else on TV. Of
course I’m watching this on free Mexican television, which is exactly what most
of Mayweather’s fights have been worth.
The undercard was terrible.
I didn’t bother watching after the first couple of seconds. Demi Lovato’s breasts came out to sing the
National Anthem. Let’s just say her
“dress” was rather dramatic in what it wasn’t covering. Is she like 30-something now or what? Mayweather came out wearing a black mask in
gold trim, like the gaudiest member of ISIS ever. Maybe he doesn’t want to be recognized. I wonder if they’ll be able to get the stink
out of the new T-Mobile Arena before the hockey season starts if this fight
sucks. Mayweather’s belt was put on
display. I’m thinking it’s not up for
grabs tonight, whatever the outcome. Was
that Jennifer Lawrence in the crowd? I
can’t decide if she’s the plainest beautiful woman ever or the most beautiful
plain woman ever. Okay, let’s box.
First round: Something that never came up in all of the
pre-fight talk quickly manifested as soon as the bell rang. McGregor is bigger. He’s taller with a longer reach. I’d kind of assumed he was smaller for some
reason. McGregor has an odd, MMA-ish
boxing stance and kept his right arm extended to keep Mayweather back. McGregor came out swinging and
aggressive. At one point, he put his
hands behind his back, daring Mayweather to try to hit him. This round went to McGregor.
Second round: McGregor got a couple of warnings for hitting
Mayweather in the back of the head, and another warning for wrapping him
up. I’m not going to bother mentioning
this again as it happened throughout the fight.
Technically, McGregor probably should have gotten a point taken away or
even DQ’d. The ref however, more wisely,
as long as it was never a really bad hit, just let them fight. Round to McGregor.
Third round: There was lots of clutching and grabbing in
this round. McGregor clearly wanted to
drag Mayweather into a wrestling match.
The crowd was roaring for him at this point. McGregor again.
Fourth round: Mayweather started off the round in a
defensive shell with McGregor pounding him into the ropes. Conor got in a good shot to Mayweather’s jaw
and the crowd rose in anticipation.
Mayweather looked a bit winded. I
gave the round to McGregor, but the TV Azteca guys gave it to Mayweather. They saw it differently as Mayweather got in
some hits as the round went on.
Fifth round: Given the exchanges in the first four rounds, I
was surprised the fight was still going.
Mayweather got in some good hits.
McGregor spent a lot of time backing up.
There was quite a bit of hugging.
McGregor was now looking tired.
Mayweather definitely won this round.
Sixth round: The crowd on the floor behind the ringside
seats were now standing. McGregor
briefly started bludgeoning Mayweather MMA-style. The ref broke them up quickly. Mayweather started to force the action back
on to McGregor and the crowd roared.
Conor smiled and then again put his hands behind his back, inviting an
attack. Maybe he didn’t expect to last
this long either. Mayweather.
Seventh round: McGregor put his guard up to start the
round. This was the first time I’d seen
him do that. Mayweather got in a
cheapshot at one point, but got in a legit hard shot to the jaw later. Mayweather.
Eighth round: McGregor came out swinging again. I gave the round to him for his aggression,
but the TV Azteca guys gave it to Mayweather.
Ninth round: McGregor charged into Mayweather and forced him
into a corner. The ref broke them up
immediately and lectured McGregor.
Mayweather took the opportunity to cheapshot McGregor to head when the
ref moved away. Given the blows to the
back of his head, that almost seemed deserved, but would have been a poor way
to end the fight. The ref gave him a
quick warning. Still, McGregor was on
his heels and looked exhausted.
Mayweather scored a big hit in the round. Mayweather.
Tenth round: Mayweather picked up where he left off. McGregor was getting pummeled. He got to the point where he couldn’t defend
himself. The Ref stepped in and stopped
it a bit more than a minute into the round.
TKO for Mayweather.
Afterward, McGregor said he could have kept fighting. He wasn’t bloodied or knocked down. Conor perhaps wasn’t done by UFC standards,
but he was finished by boxing standards.
If you go to your ground game in boxing, the referee starts counting
over you.
McGregor and Mayweather were friendly at the end. McGregor went over to congratulate him. Mayweather said afterward that he owed the
fans for the Pacquiao fight and that this would be his last. He would retire at 50-0. This is a great idea. Stop now after finally giving the fans a good
fight so they’ll remember you better.
(Actually, the fans at the arena didn’t seem happy. They weren’t boo’ing, just murmuring.) Jim Gray asked him if he’d upheld boxing’s
reputation. I’ll answer that. No.
Boxing’s reputation for putting on crappy, overblown fights was
delightfully ended tonight. Thank you
for that.
Mayweather, in a good show of sportsmanship, praised McGregor
as a fellow champion and for a good fight.
McGregor shouted to him before his own interview, “I made you fight like
a Mexican!” It took me a moment to
realize he was complimenting him.
McGregor meant Mayweather fought with passion and aggression. The TV Azteca coverage actually broke away
right after he said that. I wonder if
they had to decide if that was a compliment or not to them.
McGregor was now sporting a shiner under his left eye. The TV crew was translating over the
interview, and I had trouble hearing it.
Gray asked him why he was smiling after being beaten. “I’ve been strangled on TV before. This wasn’t a big deal.” Or something like that. It was something only an MMA fighter would
say.
Those who paid for the fight had to be happy to not have
been cheated. Mayweather fans and his bettors
had to be more than happy. Those who bet
on McGregor were unhappy, but be consoled, if the betting hadn’t evened out,
Vegas would have fixed the fight anyway. If you were rooting for McGregor, you were
pleased with his great underdog performance.
Boxing was happy to put on a good match for a change. UFC’s status had to have been increased with
boxing-only fans, though I’m doubting these crossover matches are going to be
happening with any regularity. Lastly, sports
writers and commentators, who were decrying this fight before the match, will
now have to eat their words. At least,
they had a good meal.
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