Is Mayweather vs. McGregor A Scam? What Experts Say About The Fight

Opinions began wildly flying in March when speculation first surfaced that boxing legend Floyd Mayweather might fight UFC star Conor McGregor. Many were quick to dismiss the rumors as mere fantasy — there was initial confusion over whether they would be boxing or fighting in an octagon — but now there is no turning back.

The hype has become reality. The 154-pound 12-round boxing match, which will be fought with 8-ounce gloves instead of the customary 10-ounce gloves, is going down Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, polarizing viewpoints and all.

There is plenty of support for this fight because of the personalities and the hope that there will be serious action in the ring. Thousands are expected to pay a minimum of $1,300 to watch the fight in person, while millions will be shelling out roughly $99.95 to watch on pay-per-view. Many see Mayweather-McGregor as an outgrowth of the megabout between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in May 2015, which disappointed casual boxing fans for its lack of power punches. Stronger blows are expected this time around for this "must-see" fight, with both Mayweather and McGregor predicting a knockout.

Those who are eager to see this fight — there is a contingent that believes it will be competitive — point to McGregor's impressive knockout power in UFC, Mayweather's perceived rust at age 40 and possible bias that UFC has more merit than boxing.

There is also the idea of reveling in the impending humiliation that will befall one of the fighters after ceaseless self-boasting and self-promotion. Mayweather and McGregor have toured Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and London promoting the tour with no shortage of crass theatrics and offensive soundbites.

Some notable names, like McGregor's boss UFC president Dana White, expect McGregor to knock out Mayweather. Fox Sports pundit Skip Bayless predicted McGregor will knock out Mayweather in the ninth round, though he admitted that he took "the hopeless underdog" in the fight.

Then there are the detractors of the fight — there are plenty of them — who are almost unanimously in Mayweather's corner and for good reason. The Michigan native boasts a spectacular 49-0 record, while McGregor, who brings a huge fan base from his native Ireland, has no professional boxing resume. Mayweather initially entered the fight as the big favorite at -2,250, while McGregor was listed at +950. The odds have dipped to Mayweather at -600 and McGregor at +425, but a win for McGregor would be considered a massive upset.

The lopsided odds, along with the massive financial windfall both parties are expected to receive, have prompted an avalanche of cynicism. The "mismatch" fight is seen as a mere sideshow more than anything else.

Sports pundit Glen Macnow in July described the fight as "the scam of the century." On Friday's edition of ESPN's "Around the Horn," longtime sports columnist Woody Paige and others on the program essentially echoed similar sentiments that the fight didn't feel authentic. They are not alone. Many others have voiced their displeasure that the Nevada State Athletic Association even sanctioned a bout between a boxing legend and a boxing novice.

Considering Mayweather has almost never lost a decision on a judge's card in 49 fights, and against superstars like Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Juan Manuel Marquez and many others, it seems inconceivable that someone making his boxing debut would stand even a small chance. It's for that reason many experts and sportswriters have noted the clear distinction of this event as a purely money-driven spectacle rather than anything that might resemble a competitive bout.

As Michael Rosenthal of The Ring wrote in June, "Two astute businessmen who stand to make tens of millions of dollars — maybe nine figures — have agreed to collect the money. That’s what this fight is about: money. It has little to nothing to do with boxing."

Indeed, there have been unconfirmed reports that Mayweather will make $300 million and McGregor will make $100 million for the fight. The huge sum has prompted a heavy dose of skepticism from boxing enthusiasts who feel that despite McGregor having youth on his side and a two-inch reach advantage that Mayweather will win in clinical fashion.

Mayweather, seeking a nice and clean 50-0 record, has become a very wealthy man through masterful defensive skills and an exceptional counterpunching style. How McGregor will be able to land any punch of significance is anyone's guess.

"I strongly believe that McGregor is not gonna land a single punch. I don't see him connecting anything," famed retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya said, who called the fight a "farce."

In Sunday's New York Daily News, Tony Paige, a former president of the Boxing Writers Association of American, lambasted the "worst mismatch in boxing history." Paige wrote that the fight is a "sham" and that "there is more of a chance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un wearing a Speedo in public than Mayweather-McGregor being competitive."

Mayweather, meanwhile, has put his money where his mouth is and claims that he’s prepared to place the largest wager he’s ever made on himself.

While hype often makes a boxing event exciting, it can also lead to disappointment when the fight doesn't match the build-up. For those who may want to see two talented and experienced boxers square off, they may want to turn their attention to HBO, where Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto will take on Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO junior middleweight belt on Saturday night.