Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor: What will go down.

The most anticipated combat sports event in history is less than a week away:

The combat sport worlds of Boxing and Mixed-Martial Arts crossover this Saturday as each sports most recognisable and charismatic stars meet in the ring as former WBC multiple division king and the undefeated Floyd 'Money' Mayweather throw caution, legacy and an unbeaten run into the wind as he welcomes current UFC Lightweight and former Featherweight champion Conor McGregor to boxing ring for his professional debut.

So before the contest begins, there is a couple of factors to be considered in regards to the weight and glove size of this bout. Taking place at Super Welterweight (154lbs) this unquestionably suits 'The Notorious' one right from the blocks. McGregor is of course naturally the larger opponent in terms of frame and build and his last appearance in the region of 154lbs came against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 where the Dublin striker produced arguably his most impressive display to date. Mayweather on the other hand last competed at Welterweight (140lbs) in a unanimous decision victory over Andre 'The Beast' Berto but has competed as low as Super Featherweight (130lbs) where he was champion, so the size advantage most certainly belongs to McGregor here.

Another talking point in this affair is the recent approving by the NSAC for both men to fight with 8 oz gloves despite the original ruling confirming that both Mayweather and McGregor must fight with 10 oz gloves, the norm for a Super Welterweight contest. This factor once again swings in the favour of McGregor, who has undeniable one punch knockout power as seen in his UFC appearances with 4 oz gloves, so the chances of Mayweather succumbing to one of those patented shots if he were to land one are significantly greater than if the bout was contested with 10 oz. Another interesting takeaway is the well documented hand trouble which has plagued Floyd for the majority of his career. Despite his breath taking record, Mayweather has had quite niggling injuries to his hands with former cut men believing that the source for the problem is due to the lack of calcium received by Mayweather as a baby. Lighter gloves not only increase the likelihood of a shot finding the target for both men with greater speed, but also reduces the coverage of the face and chin with lets say 10 oz gloves.

So Saturday night, both men are standing across from each other, how does Mayweather win. Floyd is undoubtedly the greatest defensive boxer of all time and almost surely the greatest to ever lace up a pair of gloves so this obviously spells a sticking point for McGregor. Mayweather tends to start quite cautious and slow in order to gauge the timing and pattern and from then on, exacts an incredible counter punching and defensive style to outpoint his opponent, often significantly over 12 rounds. Mayweather currently approaching his 41st birthday has been retired since September 2015, and despite McGregor's inexperience in terms of professional boxing, the stylistic matchup presented by 'The Notorious' one will be nothing Mayweather has ever witnessed in his dominant career. Mayweather generally fights out of an Orthodox stance with a tight guard and straight which is ready to find the target when his opponent usually misses their's. Mayweather isn't regarded by many at all to be a vicious striker like former opponents Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez or Marcos Maidana but his speed and general ring awareness is more often than not enough to outclass each opponent. One thing is for sure and that is no matter how confident Floyd is of success, he cannot as he claimed ''underestimate'' McGregor or he may find himself on the end of a stinging left glove.

The path to victory is obviously more difficult for MMA star McGregor. With a slight reach advantage and distinct power and size advantage, the list of pros end there. One thing is for sure and that is Conor must not be lured into a Floyd style of fight, in terms of a traditional boxing stance and movement. McGregor typically opens up in a Southpaw stance to allow for the power left to come into play, but will likely switch between Orthodox and the former throughout. The movement patterns as said before will no doubt prove difficult for Floyd to time and with the possibility of a traditional Karate, Muay Thai or Taekwondo stance coming into play, this may hold the key to an unlikely victory for McGregor. As reiterated by the likes of Dana White, Joe Rogan and even McGregor himself, it has well proven that when Conor lands people fall, just take José Aldo, Chad Mendes, Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez for example, so the question still remains can Conor touch Floyd over 12 rounds, and if he does, will that spell an end to Mayweather's night. McGregor similarly to Floyd has promised to rush forward from the initial bell and march Floyd down to trade, but in my opinion, if Mayweather in an unlikely display throws all caution and sensibility into the fray, it's Conor's fight to lose.

Floyd Mayweather unanimous decision/Conor McGregor inside 6 rounds via knockout.

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