The Irish sporting community looked on agog tonight as Conor McGregor took on Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
Despite the hearty support of numerous sporting stars however, McGregor's debut bout ultimately went as planned - and not as many had hoped.
While very few believed McGregor could last beyond a few initial rounds, his 10th round TKO demonstrated a level of resilience that many found admirable.
Yet, as his exhaustion became palpable, Mayweather increasingly toyed with McGregor once he had assessed the risk at hand. Advancing menacingly throughout, it quickly became a matter of 'when' and not 'if' he would break Rocky Marciano's long-standing record.
It was a style of fighting that few had seen from Mayweather in quite a few years.
Conor McGregor: I turned him into a Mexican tonight. He fought like a Mexican.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 27, 2017
Having seemingly started strongly, McGregor's initial dominance increasingly appeared part and parcel of Mayweather's overall plan. Some fans were more positive than other however.
Wow!!!! #MayweathervMcgregor come on...... #McGregor wins rd 1
— Gary Spike OSullivan (@spike_osullivan) August 27, 2017
Even at half way? #MayweatherMcGregor
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 27, 2017
Noticeably tiring as the rounds progressed however, the pre-fight rationale that 'one big punch' could trouble the now 50-0 American fighter became an absolute necessity if McGregor was to pull of a great sporting shock. It never truly looked like it was coming however.
Mayweather turning the screw a little here....😬
— Brendan Cummins (@BrenCummins1) August 27, 2017
With plenty of Irish sporting figures staying up to watch this captivating spectacle, the general consensus seems to suggest that few are surprised by the result, but content nonetheless that McGregor delivered an admirable performance against a supreme opponent.
With Floyd Mayweather confirming once again that tonight signals the conclusion of his remarkable boxing career, what comes next for McGregor will be keenly anticipated.
Great effort tonight #MayweaterMcGregor it was what it was.
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 27, 2017
Fair play Conor...#onwards pic.twitter.com/E80X9IqqXP
— Dónal Óg Cusack (@DonalOgC) August 27, 2017
Was nice to see Mayweather one last time but as a fight bit of a non event, suppose we couldn't expect anything else. That's show biz 💰💰
— Brendan Cummins (@BrenCummins1) August 27, 2017
Didn't mind paying the €25 for the muck fight but it really stings I had to give the best part of an hour listening to Carl Froch #MayMac
— Paddy Stapleton (@pasaint) August 27, 2017
Fair play to @TheNotoriousMMA 👏🏼🇮🇪 no doubt the irish fans will still go crazy in Vegas tonight!! #MayweatherMcGregor
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 27, 2017
Ah well so he couldn't land that shot but ah $100 mill in the bank for McGregor !!! Not bad I suppose #MayweathervMcgregor
— Brian Murphy (@B_murphy01gk) August 27, 2017
Out on his feet...... Crazy
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) August 27, 2017
