Irish Sunday Mirror

$1B FIGHT SHAMING BOXING

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THE controvers­ial billion pounds, May weather mcgregor showdown would never be allowed to happen in Britain.

That’s the view of Robert Smith, the secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control.

The Las Vegas showdown on August 26 between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and cage fighter Conor Mcgregor has captured the public’s imaginatio­n. But the purists take a very different view.

BBBC boss Smith admits that had his board been asked to sanction the fight they would undoubtedl­y have turned down the request.

Smith said: “I can’t speak for the rest of the board, but I can’t think of any reason why we would let a world-class fighter take on someone making their debut. Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao couldn’t hit Mayweather, so what chance does Mcgregor (above) have?

“Would Mcgregor beat the top 10 in Britain even? I doubt it.”

The fight is a unique sporting spectacle that has set opinions raging. Even though Mayweather (below) has come out of retirement to take the lucrative fight and enhance his nickname as “The Money”.

As well as having an invincible record he has won world titles at five different weights.

But BBBC boss Smith (below) pointed out: “We would even have to consider whether to give Mayweather his licence. “He is 40 years old and hasn’t boxed for a couple of years.

“It’s a shame this fight is happening.

“It’s just a way to make money.”

Would Mcgregor beat the top 10 in Britain even? I doubt it

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