Dan Rafael chat wrap 8/25: (Longtime ESPN Boxing columnist
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor:
- For such a massive mismatch, the hype around the event is pretty incredible.
- Mayweather easy work. KO7.
- Undercard will be good. Likes Jack to beat Cleverly, Davis over Fonseca by KO, and Cunningham may have enough to show Tabiti a lesson. Not sure on Borrego-Heraldez, but will pick Borrego and Ugas over Dulorme.
- A Cunningham loss signals the end of him being in meaningful fights.
- Surprised Showtime is willing to leave Paulie on the broadcast. He is off the rails.
- Does not feel like Ireland has taken over Vegas.
- Ticket prices are down from face value. Ticket re-sellers are getting slaughtered.
- The special WBC belt has no fees with the sanctioning body. The WBC designed and had the belt made and TMT is paying for it.
- No asterisk. If Floyd wins he is 50-0.
- Will Conor win a round? He won't win a minute.
- Does Conor land a single meaningful punch? No.
- Conor by KO would be the biggest upset ever.
- Doesn't disagree that Mayweather fought his best fighters outside of their primes. He did fight everyone, but not always at their best.
- Is Conor the biggest fighter Mayweather has ever fought? No. Canelo was huge on fight night.
- Could it eclipse 5 million PPV buys? Possibly.
- Over/under 3.75 million buys? Over.
- Surprised at how many people think McGregor has a punchers chance.
- Does not think McGregor gives Floyd any problems early on.
- Byrd is an excellent referee. He doesn't over officiate and he doesn't take any nonsense.
- What weight does he think Floyd walks around at? In the 150's. He basically is always on weight.
- How good can Gervonta Davis be? Very, very good.
- It is true that if Conor wins the Vegas sports books will take massive losses.
- Will the MGM sell out of beer? No. The crowd is not remotely like Floyd-Hatton.