HBO AND ESPN boxing analyst Max Kellerman has admitted he was partially wrong about Conor McGregor ahead of his professional boxing debut in Saturday’s ‘Money Fight’ with the now-retired-again Floyd Mayweather.
Kellerman had previously stated on a number of occasions that the UFC lightweight champion had a ‘precisely zero per cent chance’ of upsetting the best boxer of the past two decades, but speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Kellerman changed his tune on the Irishman, paying ‘The Notorious’ his dues for hanging tough for 10 rounds against the four-time lineal world champion.
“I want to start out by saying Conor McGregor deserves enormous credit,” Kellerman began. “He is an exceptional fighter, an exceptional fighter. Even among champions he stands out. And what stood out to me for Conor the boxer… First of all, he is making his pro debut against one of the best fighters ever. I’m going to get to the age thing in a second, and he’s, early on, doing enough to stay in the fight. That’s amazing. Even the fact that he went ten rounds in his pro debut is amazing.
“And how is he able to have any success at all? He is not only incredibly determined with a huge heart and athletic. By the way, when you see one fighter get around another fighter as Conor did to Floyd and actually step behind him, that means his feet are faster, it means he’s younger, or at least more athletic – that’s a huge thing. Conor is athletic, energetic, determined, his preparation is clearly there, but more than anything, it’s his fighting brain.
Conor McGregor, as most great fighters have, has an extremely high fighting IQ. It’s the reason that he didn’t really hit Mayweather with anything hard. He didn’t load up on any punches, he had the uppercut in the first round. I know I said that he would not even lay a glove on Mayweather, not a clean punch, and I have a lot of people on Twitter saying he landed 111 punches – no he didn’t. But Conor did land about ten or a dozen punches over the course of ten rounds, which is actually more than most fighters land cleanly against Mayweather.
Kellerman, however, did echo the sentiments of many fellow boxing pundits in suggesting the time was right for Mayweather to leave behind his sport and never return, maintaining younger welterweight contenders and champions would have minced the self-proclaimed ‘best ever’ on Saturday night.
While admitting he was wrong to claim McGregor wouldn’t land a punch on the undefeated, long-reigning pound-for-pound kingpin, the revered analyst attributed much of McGregor’s success to Mayweather’s age, and in particular the deterioration of his foot speed having returned to the ring aged 40 after two years spent in retirement.
“There are a lot of young fighters, several at least, who would have knocked Floyd out on Saturday night,” Kellerman said. “I know he wouldn’t have fought them the exact same way but that Floyd doesn’t go the distance with Terence Crawford, maybe not with Errol Spence. There are a bunch of young guys who would have beaten him up that night. That’s enough, he’s retiring at the perfect time.
“So, the big take away from me is, that was the best version of the fight it could have been. I was wrong to say Conor wouldn’t land a punch – he landed several actual punches cleanly. He won a few rounds early when Floyd hadn’t started fighting yet, which is amazing to me. But ultimately he didn’t really have a chance to win the fight and Floyd won in the way he did partly because he is an older, flat-footed fighter now.”
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Have to say Kenny saying Seamus was in the best period of his career was a bit disconcerting, because he really is far from it and that statement indicates he’s probably starting. Maybe the solution would be to play the back three we have here, but play Omabamidele as a more defensive oriented wing back to add a bit of pace to cover Mbappe. We’ll likely have most Joy on the break anyway so, playing Ogbene down the right side of the forward line would make sense as he runs into the channel a lot and could take up the space that would be vacated by Omabamidele not pushing as far forward. Horses for courses as they say. In reality though we’re unlikely to get anything out of this game, because are just that good, so hope the usual doom merchants around here don’t start the usual pile on after a loss. The team is growing, we need support not this constant negativity.
@Zim Zimma: There are no doom merchants as you imply, people that know the game inside out are quiet fully aware that we simply do not have the talent and all this tripe about how young the squad are and give them a chance simply doesn’t wash. The sight of Stephen Kenny jumping about and celebrating after Ireland scored the winning goal in a friendly game at home to a team ranked 133 in the world just about sums it all up.
The lack of game time for these players will be shown up now against the French.
Collins especially. Kept running out with the ball from the back.he was dropped by wolves because of that He’s not match sharp.
The Doherty has been glued to the bench since he joined athletico
It be a miracle to get a draw, it’s possible if France have an off night but looking how they played last night be a tall order.
Think if your asking Coleman to cover the right wing versus Hernandez and Mbappe your asking for trouble. Have to double up on that side.
Alot of people questioning Coleman’s selection. But if we are to have any hope of a result in this match, a lot of things would have to happen. One of them would have to be a vintage display from Coleman. Any decent result Everton have managed recently, he’s been key.
Bazunu looks all over the place at Southampton at the minute, would start Kelleher, doesn’t make the same mistakes as Bazunu at the minute
@Lord Lurgan: well bazunu has played football this season kelleher hasn’t.
Kelleher needs to be playing first team football. Then he can be the irish number 1
@Lord Lurgan: How could Kelliher make a mistake he does not play
No
No hope for this team
@Mark Dunne: Do you work for the Samaritans?
Eire team needs to gather the midfield as Argentina Did, attack the flanks
My team
Bazunu
Coleman
Egan
ODara
Doherty
Knight
Cullen
Collins
McClean
Smallbone
Ferguson since Idah is not ready
Doesn’t matter which team we put out, they’ll hammer us. Let’s hope the Dutch don’t get any better than they played last night and we might have a chance against them. Was watching the Greece game aswell and they’ll be tough to get points from. So all-in-all we’re pretty-much bunched. COYBIG!
@Terry Fagan: No reason why we can’t give the french a good game. Holland were awful last night.
@Louis Jacob: Let’s hope so!
Good team. Totally agree about Ogbene on current form. He’s more similar to Mitoma at Brighton than Obafemi, a more direct runner. Smallbone as an option for the second half is good too. Not sure what to do with Doherty but I guess he has to start.
I agree with this team. Up front I like Ogbene’s attitude on the pitch and for that reason combined with his pace and strength I’d like to see him start
Think smallbone played too well against latvia to not start