Conor McGregor can smash Floyd Mayweather inside four rounds, insists pal Rory McIlroy
Golfer reckons his mate can win with a rocking left but that McGregor will take it if it goes past the fifth
CONOR McGREGOR can smash Floyd Mayweather inside four rounds if he connects with his left hand, insists Rory McIlroy.
But the golfer reckons his mate will have "no chance" if it goes beyond a fifth because Mayweather's superior boxing skills will show through.
McIlroy - who is set to name best mate Harry Diamond on his bag for his next two events after sacking caddie JP Fitzgerald - is a massive boxing and UFC fan.
And he has been following all the build up to the billion dollar fight taking place in Las Vegas on August 26.
McGregor won the verbal sparring - but four-time Major champ McIlroy believes he can also win in the ring.
He told the : "This isn't just because I know Conor, but I think he's got a chance.
"In the first four rounds, if he roughs him up a little bit and connects with a few left hands...
"If he gets in there and he's sort of different and awkward, weird and unorthodox, you just never know.
"Everyone says Mayweather has had his difficulties with southpaws in the past, but if it goes past the fifth round and he [McGregor] hasn't been able to land a shot then he's got no chance.
"I think it has to be within the first three or four rounds."
And McIlroy, from Belfast in Northern Ireland, was quick to highlight McGregor's humble side despite all the bravado.
He added: "He goes to the Straight Blast gym in Dublin and spends time with the kids.
"There's a lot of stuff people don't see with McGregor. I hope he does well. I'm glad he got the fight. You never know what will happen."