Lack of pro experience not a con for McGregor

[August 25, 2017]  By Philip O'Connor

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - As he gets set to face undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather in their multi-million dollar bout on Saturday in Las Vegas, much is being made of Conor McGregor's lack of pro boxing experience, but it may turn out to be his greatest strength.

Mayweather has faced 49 boxers and beaten them all - 49 men who have studied the craft for years and years, and yet none of them could find a way through his submarine-tight defense and stinging attack.

But even though he has little by way of experience, McGregor -- and in particular his left hand -- still poses a huge danger to Mayweather's proud unbeaten record.

Despite the fact that he is about to become the best-paid boxing debutant in history, McGregor, who started boxing as a boy before making the switch to mixed martial arts, has never had a top-level encounter as a boxer.

That is not to say that he is a complete novice when it comes to the "sweet science," as boxing aficionados love to call their sport.

Mixed martial arts is exactly that - a cocktail of combat disciplines with whoever manages to mix up the most potent brew from their striking and grappling skills coming out on top in what can be brutal, grueling encounters.

McGregor's striking is second to none, and his devastating left hand has powered his ascent to the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously.

He showed his knockout power when decking Jose Aldo after 13 seconds to win the featherweight belt, and it was his laser precision in a flurry of four punches that sent Eddie Alvarez crashing down as he won the lightweight crown last year.

His movement is also mesmerizing - quick on his feet, his head bobbing slightly but constantly as he seeks new angles of attack.

Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the U.S. and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor of Ireland face off during a news conference in Las Vegas. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Always meticulous in his preparations, it is unlikely that Mayweather has ever faced a southpaw with McGregor's power and style of movement before, and unlike his previous 49 opponents, there is little or no footage of McGregor sparring for him to study.

There are question marks over McGregor's endurance following his submission loss to Nate Diaz in 2016, where he emptied the gas tank looking for a big knockout and ended up putty in the hands of the rangy Californian.

Together with his head coach John Kavanagh and his vastly knowledgeable striking coach Owen Roddy, McGregor has been working to ensure that he can last the distance over 12 rounds of boxing.

McGregor can fight going forward or choose to sit back and counter-punch, but it is highly unlikely that Mayweather will seek to take the fight to his taller opponent, meaning the Irishman will have to take the initiative.

That means cutting off the ring and chasing down the elusive 40-year-old American if he is to have any chance of delivering on his promise of a knockout blow from his eight-ounce gloves within two rounds.

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor)

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