I am betting on uppity Conor McGregor, 29, to beat regal Floyd Mayweather, 40, at his own game.
(“What Will It Profit Floyd Mayweather to Scam Another $200-300m But Lose…?” The iPINIONS Journal, August 26, 2017)
I lost.
In the 10th round of a surprisingly competitive fight, Mayweather backed McGregor onto the ropes with a series of rights and lefts. McGregor’s face was completely bloodied. He was about to fall through the ropes, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight with 1:55 remaining in the round. …
The victory improved Mayweather’s record to 50-0, and allowed the typically defensive fighter to say farewell in thrilling fashion in what he said was his last fight.
(New York Times, August 27, 2017)
Mayweather is an ostentatious jerk. But there’s no denying his Boxing skills – complete with stamina that enabled this “old man” (40) to make his young opponent (29) look like an old drunk in the later rounds. There’s also no denying his uncanny smarts – complete with promotional stunts that would make P.T. Barnum green with envy.
What’s more, it’s patently obvious that, for him, depositing hundreds of millions in his bank account will more than compensate for any loss (of face or integrity) he may have suffered in the ring: “a surprisingly competitive fight” indeed.
Incidentally, McGregor seems more interested in emulating Mayweather’s ostentatious displays and promotional stunts than his Boxing skills. Therefore, where the three-ring circus this sport has become is concerned, the show will go on.
Mayweather made a point of announcing his retirement with immediate effect. And he wants everyone to believe that he really means it this time. I don’t. But I’m happy to play along to the extent of congratulating him for racking up the best record in Boxing history.
I wish him well. I just hope he has enough sense to stay in retirement to avoid any further blemishes on his record.
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