Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya is giving UFC superstar Conor McGregor a shot to defeat five division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The two fighters collide in a boxing match on August 26th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Last week, Mayweather and McGregor set the pre-fight hype on fire, turning the four city tour in an expletive-laden face-to-face meeting to launch their global promotion for the bout.
McGregor will be a huge underdog against one of the most accomplished defensive fighters in history.
Mayweather, 40 years old, has been retired since September 2015 and admits he's not the same fighter who captured world titles from 130 to 154-pounds. But feels that there is still more than enough in the tank to beat McGregor, who has zero experience in professional boxing.
“I’m not the same fighter I was 10 years ago, or five years ago, or two years ago. But I’ve got enough to beat [McGregor]. He can choose which way he wants to go, either on his back or on his face,” Mayweather said.
Even with Mayweather's age and inactivity, De La Hoya says there is no way that McGregor will be able to pull off the victory. De La Hoya lost a close twelve round split decision to Mayweather in May of 2007.
“No chance,” Oscar said to TMZ. “Come on, no, I wish he would but he can’t. If I couldn’t get a shot in … You think Conor McGregor in my prime is better than me?”
When De La Hoya was asked if there was any way that McGregor could pull off the upset, the former six division champion replied:
"Yes, with a flying kick to head," De La Hoya told TMZ.
There is actually a clause in the fight contact that prohibits McGregor from attempting any type of illegal move - specifically mixed martial arts maneuvers like kicks, elbows, takedowns and submissions. If McGregor were to violate that clause, UFC President Dana White indicates that a "very severe" fine would crush his fighter's overall pay for the bout.