Can Conor McGregor Knock Floyd Mayweather Out? Betting Odds Favor KO In Boxing Match

Anticipation for the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is increasing as Aug. 26 gets closer and more wagers are placed on the bout. The betting odds have seen significant movement since the boxing match was announced on June 14, especially when it comes to the prop bets.

The changes indicate that most gamblers expect the fight to end in a knockout, one way or the other. The odds for Mayweather to end the fight within 12 rounds have increased, as have the chances of the UFC star stopping the undefeated boxer.

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On June 15 at OddsShark, Mayweather was given -125 odds to knock out McGregor. Less than two weeks later, the 40-year-old is a -155 favorite to end the fight prematurely. The odds of Mayweather winning by decision have gone from almost even at +130 to +220.

Mayweather has been anything but a knockout artist in the latter stages of his boxing career, winning his last seven fights by decision. There is a belief by many that the greatest boxer of his generation will simply toy with McGregor, making him look foolish for 12 rounds while never ending the fight.

Perhaps now more fans are realizing just how much of an advantage Mayweather will have at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas when he finally meets McGregor face-to-face. He can essentially end the fight whenever he wants, and he might not take any chances against the UFC lightweight champion.

Even the most ardent McGregor defenders would have to admit that the face of UFC has almost no chance to outpoint Mayweather for 12 rounds. McGregor’s odds of winning by decision have actually improved from +3300 to +1600, though his chances of getting a knockout have gotten better, as well. Once having +550 odds to stop Mayweather, McGregor now has +425 odds to win before the final bell of the 12th round.

The argument for those picking McGregor is that he has a puncher’s chance because of his devastating left hand. That hand is the one that knocked out former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and allowed McGregor to go undefeated in the 145-pound division. His blows with the left hand helped McGregor beat Eddie Alvarez for the 155-pound UFC championship in November, and his only loss came when he jumped up to 170 pounds to fight Nate Diaz.

In his 21 career MMA wins, McGregor has knocked out his opponent 18 times. He failed to stop Diaz in their rematch at UFC 202, though he did get the victory at welterweight.

Mayweather and McGregor will fight at 154 pounds. The fighters will use 10-ounce gloves, while McGregor is accustomed to wearing four-ounce gloves in the UFC. Mayweather used eight-ounce gloves when he fought Andre Berto two years ago in his last boxing match.

READ: Why Mayweather vs. McGregor Is Happening This Summer

Other betting line changes include McGregor by split decision, which has gone from +10000 to +3300. McGregor’s odds of winning by knockout in the first round have gone from +4000 to +1600.

Mayweather is a -550 favorite to win by any method, via OddsShark. McGregor is a +375 underdog, though the odds vary at different Las Vegas and online sportsbooks.