Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes Conor McGregor is hugely lacking in terms of boxing skill and acumen.
Roach is the long time trainer who’s stable is a who’s who list of legendary fighters that including the likes of Manny Pacquaio, Benard Hopkins, Miguel Cotto but to name a few.
Speaking of the subject of McGregor, Roach was clearly unimpressed by what he’d seen and heard of him.
“He’s fun to watch, he’s a character, he’s – but again, he’s not that good of a fighter,
“He’ll let his hands go and so forth, he’s a little wild, but as far as boxing wise – I mean, supposedly he went to Wildcard West and boxed with Chris Van Heerden. Van Heerden told me, he says [laughing] ‘I killed him.’
“I mean, I wasn’t there so I don’t know. Chris Van Heerden is a tough kid and a good boxer, but I just don’t think he’s in that class of boxing – he’s putting himself at a very very high level. I think he’s more of a four round fighter at this point.”
In fact, forgetting Mayweather entierly, Roach appeared doubtful that McGregor would be able to competitively take on any top high-level boxer worth his salt.
It’s clear enough to Roach that punters should forget about McGregor pulling off the longshot ‘Hail Mary’ against a fighter as talented as Floy Mayweather Jr.
Simply put under Queensbury rules rather than those of the UFC, McGregor has next to no chance of surviving against Mayweather.
Roach was then informed that lightweight champion Mikey Garcia had also called into question the Irishman’s boxing ability. Garcia went on to state that McGregor looked like an amateur when sparring.
Chiming in Roach then said: I think Mikey can get away with saying it because I think Mikey would kick his ass. Sure, I think there are some stiffs out there. We’ve dug them up before [but McGregor would beat] nobody of note though.”
Still thinking of buying the Mayweather vs McGregor PPV?
Well, you’ve been warned.