Most people believe UFC superstar Conor McGregor has no chance of beating boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr if they are able to put that mega-fight together in the squared circle, but count famed coach Freddie Roach as one person who is at least giving ‘The Notorious’ a fighting chance of emerging with his hand raised.
“He is a pretty good striker,” Roach said of McGregor on ‘The MMA Hour’ show with Ariel Helwani. “The thing is, Floyd is a great boxer. He’s really good at hitting and not getting hit and so forth. I think it would take a long time for Conor to get ready for a boxing match, a pure boxing match.
“But, ya know, one punch can change everything. It’s the sport we’re in. I’m not gonna count him out completely. I think Mayweather is the favorite, yes, but I wouldn’t count anyone out. Because he throws, he throws hard, and he’s not afraid to throw.”
Mayweather spoke to Roach a few months ago at the legendary Wild Card gym in Hollywood and the conversation only reinforced his feeling that the fight is going to take place at some stage.
“It looks like it’s gonna happen. Everything is pointing in the right direction. I think Conor will have his hands full with a boxer like Floyd. But he’s sellable, he’s making some noise.”
Roach also said he’d be “honored” to coach McGregor for that fight if he was asked, but for now his main focus is on working with Georges St-Pierre ahead of his return to the Octagon at some point later this year.
