Northern Ireland

Co Tyrone sparring partner talks up McGregor's chances against Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather, left, and Conor McGregor during a promotional stop for this weekend's fight in Las Vegas. Picture by Christopher Katsarov via AP
Floyd Mayweather, left, and Conor McGregor during a promotional stop for this weekend's fight in Las Vegas. Picture by Christopher Katsarov via AP Floyd Mayweather, left, and Conor McGregor during a promotional stop for this weekend's fight in Las Vegas. Picture by Christopher Katsarov via AP

CO Tyrone will have an investment in the most hyped sporting spectacle of the year early tomorrow - the McGregor vs Mayweather bout in Las Vegas.

Omagh amateur boxer Tiernan Bradley, who was brought in to spar with MMA champion Conor McGregor ahead of the fight, said he has "had a window into what Floyd has coming his way and, at 40, I'm not sure he's ready for it".

Millions around the world will watch Dublin-born McGregor take on the undefeated Mayweather in his first ever professional boxing fight.

Writing in The Irish News, Bradley (20) said that "for the first time in his professional career (Mayweather) doesn't know (what he is facing)".

"Anybody who thinks Conor McGregor would be happy to go the 12 round distance with Floyd and lose, still getting pats on the back for trying, doesn't know the man," he said.

"If he didn't wholeheartedly believe he could win this fight, he wouldn't have chased it."

He added that the "element of surprise is perhaps Conor McGregor's greatest asset".

"Floyd has shared the ring with some great fighters, but he will never have been in with someone as mentally strong as Conor - warfare of the mind is something he excels in."

McGregor himself said Bradley's "nordie toughness" has helped him prepare for the super bout.

"It has been great to have Tiernan in the camp," McGregor told BBC.

The action begins in Las Vegas from 4am tomorrow but can only be watched on pay-per-view services.