McGregor has been campaigning for what he believes would be a lucrative boxing fight against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Before getting a favorable endorsement from NSAC, McGregor has already obtained a boxing license from the State of California.
McGregor, who is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion and former UFC Featherweight Champion has been fined by NSAC for his unsavory behavior during the UFC 202 last year when he fought and won over Nate Diaz in Las Vegas. The fine was $75,000 but was eventually reduced to $25,000.
NSAC chief Bob Bennett said McGregor is now eligible to obtain a boxing license in Nevada following the settlement of the fine.
“Conor has paid his fine and Deputy Attorney General attorney fees. He’s officially eligible for a [Nevada] boxing license,” he told Boxing News.
On record McGregor is the current pay-per-view (PPV) king of Mixed Martial Arts (1.7 million buys-highest) while Mayweather holds the highest PPV buys in boxing history (4.6 million).
While both fighters are known for their PPV drawing power, there is no certainty that they will generate the same high PPV turnout when they face each other in a boxing match.
The reason why Mayweather got the credit for his record-breaking 4.6 million buys could be attributed to his foe Manny Pacquiao, who is a fellow boxer and not an MMA artist like McGregor.
McGregor could generate the same high PPV turnout because fans love to see him in MMA fight but not in a boxing fight. In the same manner that Mayweather would still be capable of generating high PPV buys in a boxing match but not on MMA where he lacks skill, training and experience.
While it is true that McGregor has tried boxing at some point of his career, he isn’t in the level of Mayweather as far as boxing is concerned.
If the proposed fight happens, McGregor would be a poor underdog as Mayweather would impose his skill in boxing over the popular MMA artist.
Former heavyweight boxing champ Lenox Lewis isn’t convinced that the fight would be worth watching.
“I don’t even think it’s a good fight,” Lewis said. “Conor’s great at all different styles, but you’ve got Floyd who’s a master of one and Conor’s trying to box him at his style. It’s a great spectacle, but I don’t think it will be a great fight.”
Veteran boxing trainer Freddie Roach said McGregor can’t beat Mayweather. “He’s putting himself on a very high level. I think he’s more of a four-round fighter at this point, Roach told Fighthype TV.”
While some fans would enjoy McGregor’s antics, discriminating PPV buyers won’t waste their money on a fight that isn’t competitive because both fighters are recognized for individual talent in one sport and not on both.
Both Mayweather and McGregor are good at promoting fights and at this time it appears that they are succeeding in creating a buzz in both the MMA and boxing circles but to convince the fans to buy the fight is another thing.
