It’s finally here…which also means that it’s, thankfully, almost over!

It’s the unbeaten five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather versus the debutant from UFC Conor McGregor.

Ok, so I’m not a fan of this crossover fight, and not really a supporter of the two combatants either.

Mayweather, I will always admire as being one of this generations best ever boxers; arguably, the greatest defensive fighter of all-time. However, as a person, he’s trash.

My views towards McGregor is kind of the opposite of that as I’m not a fan of his fighting style or skill, but I love his character.

I see this fight as similar to the game of Top Trumps where one hand has drawn the best card in the pack and the other unfortunate player has landed the worst.

“This fight is basically the Ferrari F40 up against the Datsun Cherry, which is gonna’ get trumped in every department.”

This fight is basically the Ferrari F40 up against the Datsun Cherry, which is gonna’ get trumped in every department.

For the sake of The Gambling Times, I will provide some sort of an analysis towards this farcical fixture.

The things that are stacked in the UFC star’s favour are, first of all, Floyd’s inactivity – ‘Pretty Boy’s’ last fight was almost two years ago in 2015.

There’s also the question of his power. Floyd’s had trouble with his hands for some time now, due to the decades of wear and tear of punching, and his last KO was in 2011, eight fights ago.

That was highly-contentious as well, the ‘sucker-punch saga’ with Victor Ortiz. Whether you blame Floyd or Victor, it was basically a free shot, so, arguably, his last knockout was way back in 2007!

As we are going back some years in history, I may as bring up the ample age difference of 11-years between 40-year-old Floyd and 29-year-old Conor.

There is a slight weight advantage for Conor by agreeing to the fight at 155lbs, which, I understand, is his natural weight. I can only guess that come fight night, he will have a sizeable advantage over his opponent.

Floyd has never weighed in as heavy as 155lbs before despite being involved in a few fights set at that limit.

On that note, Conor also has a height and reach advantage over Floyd, although relatively marginal.

The gloves are not an issue, despite the ongoing debates, as many boxers have competed in 8oz gloves before but it’s worth a mention that UFC favour the smaller gloves so this, too, could stack the odds in the MMA fighter’s favour.

Lastly, I’m sure that being the underdog will also have its benefits for Conor. No one expects him to win with most saying that he will never survive the full 12-rounds.

On the other side to this, McGregor is a debutant to professional boxing.

Unlike Floyd, the Irishman doesn’t have 49 wins to his name, nor does he possess a roster of notable scalps such as eight-weight world champion and ‘Fighter of the Decade’ Manny Pacquiao; four-weight world champion Miguel Cotto; three-weight world champion Shane Mosley; two-weight world champions Marcos Maidana and Canelo Alvarez; as well as wins over boxing greats like Oscar De La Hoya; Zab Judah; Juan Manuel Marquez; Arturo Gatti; and Corrales and Castillo…but I won’t mention that 10th round demolition of Ricky Hatton…still gutted about that.

That fight with Ricky Hatton was the last time I ever thought an opponent had a chance against Floyd, but that was my heart leading over my head as a huge Hit-man fan.

Admittedly, I did have some high hopes for Canelo and just look at how that turned out! I thought the Mexican could ruffle Floyd’s feathers with his youth and power but the old master just played with him and taught him a lesson.

Canelo has gone from strength to strength since that fight, reeling off seven straight wins, enumerated in everyone’s pound-for-pound lists, and will take part in the real fight of the year in just three week’s time against Gennady Golovkin. Yet, you still wouldn’t back him to beat Floyd if they fought again.

Floyd has been wobbled before against DeMarcus Corley in 2004 and by De La Hoya in 2007; and Mosley in 2010 – Sugar Shane had the best success by forcing Floyd to take a knee for a split-second in the second round of their fight, which was not considered a knockdown.

And he had a few teething problems against Marcus Maidana in their first fight in 2014, but was never in any real trouble.

That’s glimpses of success in a 20-year, 49-fight career, which is really nowhere near enough to even attempt to suggest that he could get hurt by Conor in this fight.

Each time he almost touched down, he recovered quicker than any other fighter ever could. He is as tough as they come and the hardest task against Floyd is to even land a punch clean. His defense is almost impenetrable.

So, it’s obvious by now that I believe the five-weight world champion with 15 world titles on his wall at home will win this bout.

But how does he win?

If McGregor goes for the all-out assault, looking to KO Floyd – which I fully expect him to do because, let’s face it, the tactic can’t be to try to outbox him can it?! – then I think the contest could be very similar to the opening of the first Mayweather v Maidana fight.

Maidana had the exact right tactic with relentless punches and attacks from any angle he could throw them at – most landed on the back of Floyd’s head! He basically chose to rough him up and it really worked.

The difference, however, is that McGregor’s punches won’t be as technically sound as a professional boxer’s punch.

Floyd will not be as bothered as he was against Maidana and he will land flush left hooks and uppercuts to the Irishman’s head freely.

I predict a Floyd Mayweather win by KO within the opening three rounds.

I hope for two things to happen in this fight: 1. That Floyd will finish the fight when it’s time to, and to not prolong it for any absurd reasons, and 2. that both fighters show a bit of humility and class whatever the result.

A fight of this magnitude that has the whole world watching, requires some good sportsmanship for the fans to applaud.