The Conor McGregor power is certainly respected in the MMA world but Paulie Malignaggi speaks about it from a boxing perspective.
The Irishman has proved to have plenty of power in the UFC and MMA world – rendering many of his opponents unable to continue with his powerful fists.
However it is also important to realize that he has done so whilst wearing 4 ounce gloves under mixed martial arts rules.
Against fighters with nowhere near the boxing IQ or pedigree of a Floyd Mayweather to boot.
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When McGregor steps in the ring with Floyd Mayweather on August 26th it will be in Mayweather’s world – professional boxing – and the pair will be wearing 10 ounce gloves.
Paulie Malignaggi is currently helping McGregor prepare in sparring for his showdown with the American boxing great next month and told Brendan Schaub on the Fighter and The Kid podcast that:
“We both landed some shots. Obviously people saw some marks on my face. I always wear the open face headgear not because I like getting marked up, because I don’t like getting marked up, because I like to be able to see things. Of course that gives me less protection from the punches and also I hadn’t sparred in months so my face will mark up a little easier.”
He added
“Having said that, shots landed from both guys actually. It was good work. In 8 rounds you’re not going to get into the shower without getting wet. A couple of good shots landed from both of us. It was a little bit awkward at times, a little bit rough at times, a little but dirty at times but it was good work. What do you want know, does he hit hard? He’s not a weak puncher. If Conor hits you you are going to feel it. He’s a grown man. I would say he has above average power.”
He concluded:
“Is it oh my God power? No. Oh my God power is rare. I’ve sparred hundreds of people in my life and out of people I’ve sparred that have oh my God power it’s probably less than a handful. But Conor has respectable power and if Conor hits you clean, odds are, he’s probably going get your attention and rock you and drop you.”
(Top image source and credit: Conor McGregor Twitter account)
