Why can’t Conor McGregor become a boxer?

By Boxing News - 12/03/2016 - Comments

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By Gerardo Granados: It has been a while now since UFC icon Conor McGregor and boxing major star Floyd Mayweather were speculated to fight. Back then I hoped this idea would just go away, but as time has passed, now the rumors and attention the sports and social media gives to it, makes this “dream match” potentially doable.

Only two days ago, it was reported that Conor McGregor got licensed to box in the state of California and most of boxing media talked about it.

Not only that, also yesterday there was a tweet from Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum, that read “@TheNotoriousMMA, if you are REALLY serious about a professional boxing career, please call @TRBoxing.” As an old say goes: the Devil is knowledgeable not because he is evil, but because he is old.

I´ve heard many boxing purist disgusted with the idea of having the UFC star daring to turn into pro boxing, but I rather have a less belligerent and more positive take on this situation. After all I am not a purist but instead a savage blood thirsty fight fan.

It is not the first time that a fighter who practices another martial art becomes a boxer. I recall in the late eighties and early nineties Troy Dorsey former IBF feather and IBO super feather. Dorsey was a former kick boxing champion prior becoming a boxing champion, no he is not hall of fame material but he did had success. I can’t recall if he practiced both disciplines simultaneously.

Chris Algieri was a champion at kickboxing prior he managed to grab the WBO light welter belt so why wouldn’t Conor be able. Holy Holm went from boxing to MMA with success and I believe a fighter is entitled to decide if he wants to stay at a fighting discipline or try something new.

Now, this is called prize fighting and having a worldwide known character like Connor McGregor involved in boxing can’t hurt pro boxing, or can it?

I have seen very few videos of Conor sparring and he seems raw basic boxer. That doesn’t mean that if he is serious about boxing he couldn’t learn. Right now, I don’t see him beating anyone on the top twenty. Maybe just as any other prospect he could start his development one step at a time, but that takes time and McGregor might not be willing to spend much time learning.

As for a Floyd Mayweather boxing match, I will be clear, I give cero chance to Conor to win.
I think there is no need to ask why would McGregor turn into pro boxing, because it is simply too evident to be answered. Back in 2015 the Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao bout generated around 600 million notes and the UFC is far from generating such sums in a single bout.

If we as fight fans are not to allow a MMA or Muay Thai fighters to enter pro boxing, then first we all should start by cleaning our house. Let’s ban all Diva catch weights, the horrendous mismatches and never pay for lousy Pay Per View cards.

I would like to see Conor debut just as any other boxer does. After that then gauge his potential and possibilities against better opposition. Maybe he lacks the timing, hand speed and footwork. Perhaps he will try and then go back to what he does better at the MMA. But for sure, I will give him the benefit of the doubt, because he is a fighter, regardless of the name of the discipline he practices.

I have no problem with Conor McGregor becoming a boxer. But what about the reader do you?