By Luke Furman

WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson has a lot of respect for UFC superstar Conor McGregor, but gives him absolutely no shot at beating Floyd Mayweather Jr.

40-year-old Mayweather, a former five division world champion, is returning to the ring on August 26th for his 50th fight, against McGregor, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor has no prior professional boxing experience. The contest takes place at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds. 

Stevenson expects McGregor to come out swinging and make it a close fight for the first three rounds - before Mayweather adjusts and boxes his way to victory.

Stevenson points out at how many past opponents, who practiced the sport since they were kids, were dominated by Mayweather in the ring.

"Floyd will pass the storm of the first three rounds. Conor is not going to Las Vegas to win a decision. He has no chance of winning, but he will be able to leave with his head held high, "Stevenson to the Montreal Journal.

"[Since he retired], Floyd has not stopped practicing. He runs regularly and I feel like he's still been training for many years. As a practitioner of mixed martial arts, Conor touches on all disciplines. At the beginning of my career, I was kick-boxing. So I'm well placed to understand [McGregor's situation]. Adapting to boxing takes a lot of time. It's a very complex sport. All of the boxers who have devoted their lives to it and have stood up to Floyd - have lost.

"[McGregor is] a good salesman. The UFC did a very good job with him. [In Toronto], he dragged everyone into his escapades [during the media tour]. It attracts attention all over the world. He's a good trash talker. Even if he has no chance of winning, he can be proud of what he has accomplished."

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.