So Conor McGregor has a boxing license and everyone is pretty confused about what this means. Some believe it's just a publicity stunt to make fans think that he'll be fighting Floyd Mayweather, meanwhile, others are legitimately convinced that the match-up will take place.
Either way, we're here to talk about the alternatives to that overhyped "dream match".
Let's face it, Conor McGregor is going to be a fish out of water if he steps into a boxing with any kind of professional boxer. Sure he has some experience in the field, but mixed martial arts is a whole different animal by comparison and you can't pretend that he won't want to throw a leg kick or two.
It's second nature, and McGregor's presence in the world of boxing is a risky one.
However, we do want to see it. Why? Because it'd be a showcase, which is what Conor does best. No matter what kind of fight or event he's involved in, McGregor knows how to get people invested in the product and that's going to make him a marketing machine for years to come.
Some may not like his tactics, but a few of these potential battles will certainly whet the appetite of fans. With that being said, let's take a look at five boxing opponents for Conor McGregor other than Floyd Mayweather.
#5 Keith Thurman
With a record of 27-0, Keith Thurman can afford to be a little cocky. The American is one of the hardest hitting Welterweights in boxing and has perfected his game to the point where he is definitely a part of the top 10 when it comes to the pound-for-pound best boxers in the world.
So naturally, when the idea of a bout with McGregor was brought up, he was all ears.
It would be a complete and utter mismatch for the Irishman and if you want it put in simpler terms - it would be a mistake. Thurman is still young and is always improving, meanwhile, Conor would be a massive underdog against someone of Thurman's skill set.
He'd be able to take the shots for a while, but could he last for the full duration of the fight? Probably not. Onto a legend of similar stature to Floyd Mayweather.
#4 Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao's star has diminished over the last few years and that much is obvious. He's suffered a few losses here and there, including a defeat at the hands of Mayweather himself, however, he's still regarded by many to be one of the best in the business.
As such, McGregor may see dollar signs when it comes to a potential match between the two icons of their respective sports.
He's all tied up with a man who will feature later on this list right now, but afterwards, Manny could potentially see a battle with Conor as a retirement fight. One last big pay day would suit him very nicely indeed, and McGregor's chances of actually coming away with the victory would increase substantially against the Superstar.
Now to someone who is more than up for a battle against The Notorious One.
#3 Mikey Garcia
Mikey Garcia isn't afraid to run his mouth, and when it comes to Conor McGregor he's had quite a few things to say. The Lightweight juggernaut is one of the most impressive fighters out there right now, having taken his overall record to 36-0 in his last two fights after taking more than two years off from the sport. That fact alone is impressive.
We don't like Conor's chances in this one, but if he catches him early there could be a chance of an upset.
The thing that the Irishman will be bringing to the table that everybody undervalues is his striking ability, as the power he has within his punches is out of this world. Honestly, coming in as the underdog against any of these guys will suit Conor down to a tee.
How about a British bout?
#2 Amir Khan
In terms of rebuilding his legacy, Amir Khan is taking some bold steps towards doing so with his upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao. The Brit is fully aware of what he's getting himself in to and it's a huge risk given his latest loss, and no matter what the result may be, he should look straight towards a fight with Conor following the test against Manny.
Khan has spoken about the possibility, on a number of different occasions and has said that he'd love to go toe to toe with McGregor, whether that be inside a ring or even the Octagon. He's a passionate MMA fan and as such should know a thing or two.
However, we'd prefer to see this take place in the boxing ring so that there are no excuses if Conor does indeed take the victory. We conclude with a man who has already called Conor out once or twice.
#1 Paulie Malignaggi
Despite his shortcomings in the past, Paulie Malignaggi is more than confident of being able to knock out Conor McGregor if the two were to come face to face inside a boxing ring. Malignaggi has never been one to back away from a fight, and Conor usually doesn't take too kindly to people calling him out so this could be a good way for Conor to test the waters.
It's not like he'd be fighting a nobody as Malignaggi is a two-time world champion. He's on a three-fight win streak right now so his confidence is understandable, and it would open the door for Conor to pursue even more fights in the future if he were to get the win. Again, it would be a risk, but it's the smartest move for both men right now.
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