Experts Say McGregor Won't Be Safe Fighting Mayweather

Fight doctors say it is a dangerous mismatch
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 25, 2017 1:39 AM CDT
Updated Aug 25, 2017 6:32 AM CDT
Experts Say McGregor Won't Be Safe Fighting Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor pose for photographs at a press conference in Las Vegas.   (AP Foto/John Locher)

It's one of the most keenly anticipated fights in years—but doctors say it should be stopped before it's too late. Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in Las Vegas Saturday night in a bout that the Association of Ringside Physicians considers a dangerous mismatch. Floyd is 49-0 and considered the best boxer of his generation, while this will be his Irish opponent's first time in a boxing ring, the New York Times reports. Larry Lovelace, chief of the association of more than 100 fight doctors, says he's surprised the bout was even sanctioned. "The thing I really fear, truly fear, is that somebody’s going to get really hurt in this upcoming fight," he says.

"It's unheard of to have a guy make his pro debut against a world champion," Lovelace tells the Los Angeles Times, adding that he is stunned by the decision to relax regulations and allow the fighters to wear lighter, eight-ounce gloves, making them capable of inflicting more damage on each other. Bob Bennett, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which sanctioned the fight, disagrees. He says McGregor is the stronger, more powerful opponent—and is 12 years younger than Mayweather. Bennett says he's offended by suggestions that the commission was influenced by the fact it will receive a $1.2 million share of ticket sales. (In June, a former UFC fighter was fatally injured in a boxing match.)

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