Would a bout with Conor McGregor generate more interest than Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2?

When we consider how the entertainment side of sporting events, it can’t be denied that these days promotion is king. There was a time when fans were content with watching a boxing or MMA match simply because the two combatants were at the top of the food chain and truly were the best of the best at what they did. But it seems that these days folk care about a match that is sold and packaged properly rather than one that is truly compelling from a competitive standpoint. So when Floyd Mayweather suggested that he would have a rematch with Manny Pacquiao in December, the news seemed to lack the kind of punch that the former pound for pound king may have wanted.

Honestly, a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao does sound appealing, at least to this writer’s ears. The idea that both men, both past their prime, could potentially put on a match that made up for the snoozefest we were delivered years ago is truly enticing. But it may just be a case of hopeful nostalgia taking over. Both men have put on some astounding and dynamic performances over the course of their career that a match between the two still sounds appealing.

But again, Mayweather and Pacquiao have seen better days and the likelihood of an exciting rematch is far less than guaranteed. In fact, it brings to mind another question.

Would a Conor McGregor match, with either Mayweather or Pacquiao, be more exciting?

Let’s consider the fact that Conor McGregor, the man that some call the modern day Muhammad Ali, truly knows how to sell a fight. His recent appearance at the UFC 229 press conference once again cemented why people tune in to watch McGregor fight. He is a master at building interest, a true showman that wants to please the fans as much as he wants to prove his mettle against other trained monsters. In fact, Conor McGregor carried the entire promotion of his bout with Floyd Mayweather. The Irishman’s antics were the core reason that the fight did so well from a moneymaking standpoint.

One has to wonder if McGregor would be able to convince the masses again. A win over Khabib Nurmagomedov would do nicely to set up a potential return to the boxing ring. Conor McGregor could easily sell another Floyd Mayweather rematch or better yet a potential all action fight with Manny Pacquiao. There’s no doubt that McGregor would get the masses interested, no doubt that the event would do incredible numbers, and certainly no doubt that all involved would walk away with a big payday.

As far as the actually bout would be concerned, there’s nothing to indicate that Conor McGregor would have improved his boxing skills enough to take on veterans the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and truly make an argument as to who possessed the superior skills. But the fact that McGregor could be a name that lingers in question as a potential option for both boxing veterans as they close out their career shows just how much a marketing genius the brash Irishman has become.

Would you want to see Conor McGregor make a return to boxing against Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao?

For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.