Mike Winkeljohn thinks Conor McGregor has a chance ‘early on’ in boxing match against Floyd Mayweather

Some pundits from the boxing world are not even giving UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor a “puncher’s chance” against undefeated defensive boxing wizard Floyd Mayweather Jr.

With the massive money fight officially set for August 26, the world will get to witness two of combat sports biggest superstars clash in the boxing ring.

Mike Winkeljohn, the infamous striking coach at Jackson Wink MMA spoke on The MMA Hour recently and was asked for his take on the fight everyone is talking about.

“Oh, I think if I was to put money on it I’d put Mayweather,” Winkeljohn said (transcribed by Chuck Mindenhall for MMA Fighting). “But I think Conor has a chance early on. I think if Conor can come in with some different things that Floyd hasn’t seen, off-angle things that he can attack so Floyd can’t hide behind his shoulder as such, he could pull off a surprise.

“But that would play out real quickly if Conor’s thinking those thoughts.”

Being one of the most recognized MMA striking coaches in the world, Winkeljohn says that McGregor needs to bring something new against Mayweather.

“He’s got to come to the table with something that Floyd hasn’t seen much before,” he said. “And those are the things Conor can do. Conor’s very athletic. Conor’s got a great understanding of angles and footwork.

“But to do those things, that takes a lot of energy. And in a world title fight do you hold back because you’re worried about running out of gas, or do you just let it go? And that’s tough. That’s a hard call to make on the outside, trying to figure out what’s going on in a fighter’s mind.”

Do you think Conor McGregor can do what boxing greats such as Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez, and Shane Mosley couldn’t? Let’s discuss it in the comment section!

on 6/19/2017.