Search icon

Boxing

27th Aug 2017

Floyd Mayweather finishes Conor McGregor, but Ireland should be proud

It's all over

Ben Kiely

For three rounds, Conor McGregor looked the business against Floyd Mayweather.

Unfortunately, professional boxing bouts don’t have the same number of rounds as MMA fights. Mayweather came in ready to slug it out for 12 rounds, McGregor didn’t have the gas tank.

Even at 40 years of age, Mayweather was just too damn good.

However, in the first three rounds, McGregor looked sensational. He tagged the undefeated prizefighter, he was scoring from awkward angles, he put his hands behind his back, but as soon as the fatigue set in, it was one-way traffic.

Once the scent of weakness filled his nostrils, McGregor’s mouth flopped open and the sting came out of his punches, there was only one man taking a step back. Mayweather walked McGregor down and outclassed him.

In round nine, the energy came flooding back into McGregor’s weary body. After a low blow landed, McGregor went for the kill again. One last burst, one last flurry and his body was sapped again. McGregor fell into the ropes with fatigue as Mayweather edged towards the finish. However, the bell came to the Dubliner’s rescue.

It was clear that he was spent when he stood back up from his stool for round 10. From there, it was child’s play for Mayweather. He walked him down and teed off on the staggering Dubliner. Then the referee stepped in to put him out of his misery with 1:55 left in the round.

McGregor went out on his shield. There were no knockdowns. He was still standing at the very end. There’s no doubt that he’s an absolute warrior.

When everyone counted him out, McGregor showed up to fight. If that isn’t ‘big Irish balls,’ what is?

Katie Taylor Exclusive | Making history, Croke Park dreams, Jake Paul and life after boxing