Mayweather vs. McGregor: 5 keys to victory for Floyd Mayweather

3. Fight Defensively

Many like to criticize Floyd Mayweather because of his defensive style. People say that his fights are boring to watch because he runs. The truth is that he is an expert boxer that knows how to win fights.

Mayweather’s style isn’t fan-friendly. He is a tactical counterpuncher, not a power-puncher. Fans like boxing because of its brutality and violence. Mayweather doesn’t win his fights with brutality but instead utilizes skill and grace in the ring.

McGregor is a great foil to Mayweather because he thrives on machismo. He has won 86 percent of his MMA fights by knockout. He has a brutal image and he is going to try to bring his fight into the boxing ring. Mayweather can’t allow this to happen.

Floyd Maywether has built his career as a counterpuncher, and there is no reason for him to deviate from this plan. He needs to fight McGregor the same way that he fought Canelo Alvarez back in 2013.

Many thought that the young Alvarez could beat Mayweather. He attacked Mayweather head on, but couldn’t connect on any meaningful punches. Mayweather used movement around the ring and his shoulder-roll defense to wear Alvarez out. He took advantage of his opponent’s fatigue and picked Alvarez apart with scoring punches.

Alvarez was never in danger of getting knocked out by Mayweather, but he was embarrassed. His pride took a hit and Mayweather’s legend continued to grow. McGregor will expend a lot of energy if he is punching and missing, and Mayweather will know how to take advantage of his inaccuracy.