Mayweather / McGregor Fight: Paul Stanley and Phil Anselmo Make Their Predictions
Paul Stanley from Kiss and Phil Anselmo of Pantera have made their predictions for this weekend's big boxing and mixed martial arts crossover fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.
Noted fight fan Anselmo -- who used to write a column for Boxing Insider -- gave UFC champion McGregor "zero chance" to defeat Floyd Mayweather in a straight-up boxing match during a recent interview with Ghost Cult. "It's so ridiculous," he said. "Ricky Hatton, former world champion, said it best. 'Me, Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alverez -- none of us can hit Mayweather, but Conor McGregor thinks he can?' It's going to be a one-sided [fight, with] Floyd carrying him for as long as he possibly can. ... Mayweather by landslide, and he can knock McGregor out anytime he wants."
During a recent appearance on the Loudwire podcast (which you can hear above), Stanley said he also favors Mayweather, partially because the fight will be held using boxing rules, not MMA ones: "One of these guys has done it his whole life, and the other hasn't," he noted. "So we'll see what happens."
He also cautions fans not to expect a slugfest from noted defensive specialist Mayweather: “I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Stanley said. “I think people are expecting more of a fight than they might get. You have to remember Floyd Mayweather is a fighter who knows how to punch and get away. The idea of them going toe-to-toe, I think, is a fantasy. Sometimes people are disappointed by [Mayweather's] performance. But he's a technician. The idea that they’re gonna go in and see who can knock the other out — I don’t think that’s in the cards, although I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody winds up on the mat."
Anselmo is also quick to point out the huge advantage Mayweather is getting by meeting McGregor in a boxing match. "You think Floyd's going to turn around, repay the favor and get in the octagon? Hell, no, you know why? He'd lose," he said. "To me, it's like pitting a soccer team against an NFL football team. Yes, you're all elite athletes, but you have to be in your element to even have a chance, so I give McGregor zero chance. And I like Conor, but he's out of his depth here."
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