By: Alex Tejada, EBC Sports International, Las Vegas Bureau
Crossover athletes have not done especially well at the professional level. One of the two most famous athletes who have excelled in two different professional sports, were Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Coincidentally, the two played both football and baseball. In the world of MIx Martial Arts (MMA), athletes learn to become better boxers in order to enhance their stand up game; meanwhile increase their fighting arsenal. In boxing, this specific skill is fine tuned by going up the ranks from amateur to professional and in some cases competing in the Olympic Games.
On August 26, 2017, MMA fighter Conor McGregor, will be the next athlete who will attempt the crossover. With no professional or even amateur fights under his belt, McGregor will be thrown in to the Lion’s den with no other than, undefeated Floyd Mayweather. Although there may not be a title on the line, Mayweather is putting his undefeated record and will be representing all boxers who have been and will be, challenged by other athletes attempting to crossover as well.
So what does this do for boxing and MMA? Besides being one of the biggest viewed fights of all time, boosting both boxing and MMA ratings and merging common interests of the fans, then really nothing. One thing we know for sure is that Mayweather has been illusive in the ring and does everything in large scales; meanwhile McGregor has been dominant at his sport and weight class and has an unstoppable desire to be the greatest. Reviewing videos will not be effective for any fighter this time, as they will be viewing tape out of their element.
For now, we begin to anticipate the date of August 26th, where live from the T-mobile arena in Las Vegas and to those viewing via PPV on Showtime, will witness either one of the few successful crossovers by McGregor, or the continued perfection by Mayweather. We can only expect that this is the bridge of better things to come in both the boxing and MMA world.
