I guess it’s a result whereby everyone wins. Floyd retires undefeated with a nice final top-up of €150m or so including sponsors. McGregor goes far enough to earn the respect of the neutrals, pundits snd most doubters, and earns enough money to retire, or to invest in UFC or branch out on his own. Boxing retains its standing and most of it’s credibility. UFC gains crossover fans and huge exposure to new audiences. The networks earn a lot of money, as do the promoters, lawyers, trainers, etc. The pundits have lots to write about.
It makes you wonder…given there was reputedly half a billion dollars at stake across the board whether we’re a bit naive when we suspend disbelief sometimes and assume these events always have sporting integrity. Was this any different to, say, Brock Lesnar v the Undertaker? Was there realistically any chance that the most dominanant, highest-earning sportsman of modern times was going to bow out leaving his sport’s reputation nursing such a monumental black eye?