December 18, 2024 9:40 am ET
Stephen A. Smith closely dismisses Conor McGregor in a possible boxing match againt Logan Paul.
McGregor on Tuesday made a surprise announcement that he’s in preliminary talks to field Paul in an exhibition match in India earlier than making his UFC return – a struggle which will likely be organized by the extraordinarily rich Ambani Household.
Smith isn’t in opposition to the concept of McGregor boxing earlier than returning to the octagon. With McGregor having not competed since July 2021, Smith believes “The Infamous” would get significantly harm if he competed in MMA very first thing again. If McGregor does find yourself lacing up the gloves in opposition to Paul, the ESPN analyst doesn’t like his possibilities.
“I believe Logan Paul goes to beat him,” Smith stated on ESPN’s “First Take.” “I don’t suppose that Conor McGregor is a boxer; he’s a striker. So, he’s sitting up there, and he ain’t even throwing his jab. He’s pitter-pattering. You ain’t clipping Logan Paul like that. You’ve bought to do greater than that.
“We don’t know but (which dimension gloves they’re utilizing), but it surely doesn’t matter. Until it’s pillows like 16 or 18 ounces, it ain’t going to work. I simply suppose that Logan Paul is larger, he’s a a lot greater man, he’s a extra skilled boxer.” With McGregor strolling round at a a lot bigger weight than his UFC championship days, Smith doesn’t see his precision and velocity within the octagon translating to the ring. He pointed to McGregor’s 10th-round TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather of their August 2017 boxing match, through which McGregor considerably slowed down because the rounds went down.
“These large muscular tissues are going to make you a bit slower, and also you’ve bought to do not forget that Conor had quickness, he may catch you fast and clip you,” Smith stated. “That’s not going to be the case within the boxing ring.”
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