Mayweather vs. McGregor weigh-in results: Who looks ready?
With the Mayweather/McGregor weigh-in done, which fighter looks most prepared for battle?
Weigh-ins before a fight are an interesting thing, and the Mayweather-McGregor fight is no different. They offer the public one last chance to see combatants before fight night, which generates last-minute storylines.
The stare-down offers a macho test of wills. Fighters look eye to eye to demonstrate to each other that they are ready for a fight. It can become an arena for psychological warfare. Words are said in one last attempt to creep into the psyche of the opposition.
The one implement that offers empirical evidence of who’s ready and who’s not is the weight scale. Many fights have been altered or terminated by the scale.
Mayweather has voiced his doubts about McGregor’s ability to make weight to numerous media sources including FightHype.com.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that McGregor’s nutritionist, George Lockhart, was confident McGregor would have no issues with weight.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll wake up on weight tomorrow,” said Lockhart. “If he does have to cut, it will be 2 pounds, max.”
Lockhart’s words proved true. McGregor came in at 153 pounds, which is one pound under the limit. While on the scale, he let out a roar as he flexed.
Mayweather stepped onto the scale looking cut and muscular. He weighed in at 149.5 pounds. He looked more solid than his weight, but he has always weighed under the 154 super welterweight limit.
McGregor didn’t think Mayweather looked good. “That’s the worst shape I’ve ever seen him,” McGregor said to Jim Gray.
I would have to disagree with McGregor’s assessment of Mayweather. Mayweather looked like he was in good shape and was in typical condition for his super welterweight fights. He looked more muscular than in his previous fights, but slightly less cut. His muscles were still defined but less visible.
McGregor, on the other hand, looked like he shed a lot of weight in comparison to his footage on Showtime’s All Access. He has stated that his weight was around 170 pounds leading up to the fight. Most fighters are used to making large weight cuts by dehydrating their bodies. McGregor was dehydrated, but I wouldn’t say drained.
He will most likely weigh around 170 pounds on fight night. McGregor made this point to Jim Gray at the weigh-in. He is used to cutting weight in this manner and Mayweather is used to weighing under the limit. This was a normal weigh-in result for both fighters.
The weight difference on fight night will be dramatic. Mayweather will probably weigh around the same weight as the weigh-in. If that’s true, then he will be giving up over 20 pounds to McGregor. Mayweather is used to being the smaller fighter. According to Boxrec.com, he was outweighed by 17 pounds against Marcos Maidana on the day of their first fight. He was also significantly outweighed by Canelo Alvarez in their fight.
The weight disparity might not make a difference during the fight, but it will make a dramatic scene when the two men face each other in the ring.
Next: Mayweather vs. McGregor: Full prop bets and odds
Nothing about the appearance or weight of either fighter was surprising, but McGregor gets the edge when it comes to the eye test. The fact that he had to dehydrate to make weight and still came in under the limit shows that he is giving this fight his all. Both fighters look ready, but McGregor looks like the fighter who is most physically prepared.
We’ll see how this plays out tomorrow during the fight. I have a feeling that looks might be deceiving. When it comes to a Floyd Mayweather fight, they usually are.
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