LAST WEEK’S NEWS that Conor McGregor was issued a professional boxing licence by the state of California further fueled the rumours that he may switch disciplines to seek a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The current UFC lightweight champion’s boxing skills were discussed quite a lot after his most recent title fight, in which he defeated Eddie Alvarez.
Former WBO middleweight champion and Olympian Andy Lee says that McGregor is probably the best boxer in the UFC, but beyond that however he doesn’t feel that his boxing skills are of a high enough level.
“I wouldn’t know about the UFC as a whole, because I don’t really watch a lot of it. I’m a big fan of Conor McGregor in terms of what he’s done as a person, he’s a cultural phenomenon,” the 32-year-old told Off The Ball during the Sunday paper review.
“Out of interest when he’s posted a video of himself sparring I’ve watched it, and to me technically it’s not top level, it’s not up to scratch.
“He can fight, he’s good with his hands. But, in terms of boxing, it would be interesting to see if he could win an Irish professional title. That wouldn’t be the highest standard in the world, but it would be an interesting level. I don’t see him as a top level boxer in any way, but in terms of the UFC he probably is because the level wouldn’t be so high.”
Lee did agree that of course, it is understandable that boxing skills in UFC aren’t as good as boxing, because there are many more skills involved in the sport.
“Yeah, they’re looking at the legs and everything. In terms of boxing, he’s probably the best boxer in the UFC.
“He’s recently got a boxing licence. You don’t know if he’s serious about it or not, maybe it’s a power play because he’s trying to get some share of the UFC company and maybe it’s a threat against them.”
Lee was also asked on the show if the prospect of a fight with Mayweather is laughable.
“In terms of a contest, yes. But in terms of a money-generating event, it would be the biggest event of all time.
“Look, he’s a young guy from Co. Dublin and not so long ago he was on the dole and now he’s making millions and millions. As an Irishman he carries the flag into the ring, and I have to take my hat off to him and say ‘look, I respect everything you’re doing.’
“If he was applying the same acumen in business, or anything else, you would tip your hat to him.”
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All these boxers now aswell as the wrestlers and the mma fighters continue to make conor money by keeping his name in the headlines, whether he boxes or not hes making more money out of the game not fighting then most do whilst fighting.
McGregor is a master at remaining relevant even when he’s quiet which is not that often.
Lee was asked a question and responded honestly. Don’t really think he was looking to make headlines. Needless to say though the 42 always oblige!
Andy lee won’t be happy with the headline here 42
The way McGregor has made money being the exception, I wonder whether a pro boxer of a decent level (who worked on preventing takedowns) would a) do well in the sport and b) deem it a lucrative enough move to transition over? The money in mma is pitiful considering the risk/effort involved.
I would like to see Katie Taylor move into MMA. She has trained occasionally in the SBG gym.
A boxer would need more than take-down defense. Those slow chopping leg kicks would wreck havoc to a boxer who tend to put their weight on the leading leg.
Jude, holly holme was a professional boxer, obviously she has been training in mma for some time, I don’t know that much about her. When she fought Rhonda Rousey, all she did was stay on her feet and punched the head off her. Rousey was never going to be able compete with both fighters standing.
I’m sure the above could translate into the men’s. If an mma fighter is to have any reasonable chance of beating a professional boxer then the only way to do that is to take them to the ground/submission etc. Otherwise the boxer wins.
I guess Holly Holmes boxed pro. Showed she could cause damage. I’d like to see the equivalent happen in the men’s division.
Ha! Beat me to the punch Ciaran. To be fair there are plenty of strikers with good sprawls that keep most fights standing. Not unthinkable a seasoned boxer could do lengthwise. I just wonder whether they’d be taking an effective wage cut to do it
Presume he meant “acumen” instead of “acronym”
Sounds like hes looking for a money fight off Mcgregor. Never gonna happen mate. Hes in a different league
It really doesn’t sound like that at all