Eight years have passed since Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor first faced off in Paradise, Nevada’s boxing ring; making their encounter seem almost legendary now. Referee Robert Byrd warned McGregor of their competition’s nature by reminding him there would be no tolerance for wrestling or grappling tactics during their duel.
On August 26th, an epic combat sports encounter brought together two titans from boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). Generating more than $600 Million in revenue through domestic pay-per-view purchases by 4.5 Million viewers (4.5 Million domestic pay-per-view sales with Full House at arena), Mayweather defeated McGregor via 10th Round TKO win to take home $280 Million while McGregor received only $130 Million as his share. Critics contend this match inflicted long-term damage on boxing while earning both men significant financial gains; Mayweather earning $280 Million while McGregor earned just under $150 Million himself (according to Forbes estimates ).
Victory Isn’t Just About Skill
In a recent discussion, Chael Sonnen critiqued the boxing vs. MMA crossover, likening it to a subsequent controversial fight proposal. According to Sonnen, the Mayweather-McGregor fight compromised boxing’s credibility, highlighting issues like weight classes and the implications of strict adherence to boxing rules.
Sonnen pointed out how Mayweather’s extended effort to secure a win over McGregor, a novice in professional boxing, unveiled vulnerabilities in the sport, challenging its perceived authenticity among fans.
Reflecting on the disappointment many felt post-match, Sonnen warned against similar crossover fights, using Jake Paul’s potential bout with Gervonta Davis as an example. He expressed concerns over such matchups downgrading the calibre of professional boxing encounters, thus affecting fan expectations and the sport’s integrity.
Reevaluating Cross-Discipline Matches
Sonnen also addressed Paul’s proposed fights with Anthony Joshua and Gervonta Davis, suggesting neither could match up to traditional top-tier boxing matches, though neither should be written off entirely. Sonnen pointed out the challenge lies not only with competitive aspects but also selling/promoting abilities – and in Davis’s perceived shortcomings this regard.
Even amid serious reservations, Jake Paul and Tank Davis’ match remains compelling to some individuals; debate continues regarding its conditions and raises serious concerns regarding exhibition boxing’s long-term outlook and viability as an event sport.