McGregor takes step toward Mayweather fight: obtains boxing license

McGregor+holds+up+the+Irish+flag+to+represent+his+country+after+a+victorious+match.

Photo Provided by Google Public Use

McGregor holds up the Irish flag to represent his country after a victorious match.

Tanner Hauck, Staff Writer

     It takes a certain mindset to compete professionally in any sport. Whether it is boxing, basketball or baseball there seems to be a certain persona surrounding the best athletes. Mixed martial artist Conor McGregor is notorious for his inappropriate comments and sometimes questionable antics inside the ring. His egotisticalness aside, McGregor has established himself as a dominant fighter in both MMA and in the UFC. His outspokenness has recently placed him in the headlines along with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. There have been talks of the two facing off, and McGregor took the first step in making the prospect a possibility by obtaining a boxing license in the state of California.

     The chatter of a potential blockbuster fight has been going on for months. The match up, however, would require extreme managing and involve jumping through several hoops. McGregor currently holds a contract with the UFC and would need to gain their approval or terminate his contract and renegotiate on new terms. On the other side of the equation, Mayweather would have to agree to the terms, the pay and lastly come out of retirement. If the two were to come to agreement, they would still need the commission’s approval for a match up between one of the greatest boxers of all time and a rookie, for lack of a better term.

     If both parties were able to work out an agreeable arrangement and obtain commisional consent, the story gets drastically more interesting. The match up would not be completely absurd. McGregor stands at 5’9’’ and weighs in at 145 lbs while Mayweather stands at 5’8’’ and weighs 151 lbs. McGregor, despite his inexperience (his zero years of boxing experience compared to Mayweather’s 20), has proven to have insane work ethic and is fueled by other’s doubt. McGregor may also hold an advantage in his youthfulness; his 28-year-old body might give him a slight advantage over Mayweather’s 39-year-old body when it comes down to endurance.

     It is fun to fantasize but right now it is just that, a fantasy. McGregor might actually have intentions of fighting Mayweather or could be using this whole story to generate attention, something he does well. Either way, it is likely this is not the last that will come of this story.