By Edward Chaykovsky
Two of boxing's most well-known promoters are in agreement on the current situation which clouds the proposed fantasy fight between superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor.
The two athletes have been trading words for at least a year, with McGregor demanding to face Mayweather in a boxing match.
Mayweather, who retired from boxing in September of 2015, says McGregor is the only fight that peaks his interest enough to return to the ring.
UFC President Dana White is firmly against the fight taking place - at least without the involvement of his company. According to White, McGregor is under an exclusive contract with the UFC for four more fights.
White has promised to explore every legal avenue if McGregor attempts to step around his UFC agreement.
Veteran promoter Lou DiBella does not blame White for standing firm on blocking the fight.
"It would be irrelevant for the sport of boxing," said DiBella to Sky Sports. "It's not a true, classic boxing match. It's more of an entertainment event, and a spectacle.
"I think the reason [UFC president] will make absolutely sure that it doesn't happen is because Floyd smacking McGregor all over the ring would be good for boxing, and bad for MMA.
"Let's face reality - Conor is a massive star in UFC. If Floyd smacks McGregor all over the ring (which is my best guess as to what would happen) that doesn't hurt boxing."
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport also spoke with Sky and says if he was in White's shoes - he would never allow McGregor to go through with such a fight where the possibility of being dominated was so strong.
"Whether McGregor is allowed to take this fight with or without the UFC's blessing. This goes beyond Dana White," Hearn said.
"McGregor is not as big as the UFC brand but he's certainly on his way. They need him in the UFC and I'm not sure what benefit the Mayweather fight brings to the UFC, unless it's somehow part of the UFC schedule, which would bring its own problems into negotiations. I wouldn't be keen, if I were in charge of the UFC, to let him move out of the circle and into a fight that he can't win."
