Joshua's Coach: 8-Ounce Won't Affect Mayweather vs. McGregor

Rob McCracken, trainer of IBO, WBA, IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, believes a change in glove size will have no affect on the outcome of next Saturday's fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

McGregor will make his professional boxing debut against Mayweather on August 26th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The contest takes place at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds, which requires that both combatants use 10-ounce gloves.

The two fighters have submitted applications to use 8-ounce gloves in the bout.

On Wednesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission will make a ruling on that request. At the moment, the likelihood of the request being approved is 50-50 at best.

Mayweather, 40 years old, is coming back after a two year retirement stint - which may have been concerning if he was facing a top rated boxer, but McGregor - who is regarded as one of the best MMA fighters in the world - has no pro boxing experience.

"It makes a bit of difference if the boxer has natural power, but they're already in condition, they're already in shape, it shouldn't make a lot of difference," McCracken told Sky Sports News, when asked about the impact of dropping down to 8-ounce gloves.

"Maybe if you were a devastating puncher it might help you a little bit, but you'll be devastating in 10-ounce gloves. Arguably injuries, cuts come into it a tiny bit more but they are very conditioned when they come into 12-round fights so it shouldn't make a lot of difference."

McCracken has a lot of respect for Mayweather and says he's a boxer all young athletes can look up to.

"He's a brilliant fighter, great tactician, physically gets it right, prepares well and he's been the dominant fighter in the last decade really when you look back at it. His performances, who he's beat, he's a boxer that other boxers should certainly look up to," McCracken said.