Ready for a slobber knocker?
City folk take sides on what's being billed as the most controversial boxing match in recent times.
Bengaluru is known for having some of the best sports fans. It even has a large following when it comes to contact sports.
So it goes without saying that what’s billed as the biggest cross promotional boxing match ever between star boxer Floyd Mayweather and UFC fighter Conor McGregor would spark the interest in Bengalurean sports fans come August 26.
Prashanth Bala, a musician from Bengaluru and avid basketball fan feels the bout will not be a gruelling battle instead it will be a blitzkrieg of action.
“Events like these are what people call once in a lifetime. I’m rooting for Conor McGregor to win in the first few rounds. Even with the handicap of fighting under boxing rules,” he says.
Ever since the bout’s announcement in early July, both Mayweather and McGregor have been creating waves of interest from all circles.
This is a result of all the controversial statements they have for each other during their pre-bout conferences and debates.
“I would put my money on the UFC fighter than Mayweather. I managed to catch his previous boxing bout with Manny Pacquiao and I was unimpressed,” says Sahil Pasha, a diehard motorsport fan.
Floyd Mayweather who is past his prime aims to finally break the world boxing record of 49 wins and no losses held by boxing legend Rocky Marciano.
“Mayweather, though he’s old, is active. He’s the best defensive boxer on the planet. All the bookies have him to win, and that’s why he’s my pick to win,” says Sai Siddarth, a sports enthusiast.
The sheer magnitude of the fight can be expressed just by the numbers. Both competitors will be earning about 100 million dollars each for what is to be an exhibition match.
“I don’t expect the fight to be hard hitting, because it involves men from two different fighting disciplines. The mental game will decide the victor as the one who is more nervous will lose,” says Pranav Aditya, a budding psychologist.
With the current hype it is rest assured that casual viewers and fans alike will tune in on August 26 when the bout finally is televised.