One of boxing's greatest promoters loves the idea of Conor McGregor getting a boxing license.
Bob Arum, one of the sports most recognizable promoters, spoke with USA Today and agreed with McGregor's decision to get a boxing license in the state of California and thinks McGregor should use it as leverage against the UFC. He also referred to McGregor as "smart."
“McGregor is dealing with a monopoly situation with the UFC,” Arum said. “He has got to have leverage if he is going to get paid what he wants. He is not going to go out and become his own promoter and stage his own fights in mixed martial arts, so his only leverage is to say he is going to be a boxer and try to panic the UFC into a better deal.”
Arum said MMA and boxing are two completely different beasts and advised if McGregor is serious about being a professional boxer, he should start at the very bottom of the sport so he can get experience and build himself up the right way. Unfortunately, according to Arum, his name is probably too big to start a professional boxing career the normal way and instead he would probably be put in big name fights right of the gate, of which Arum does not see McGregor succeeding.
“They are two different sports and based on past experience it is madness to think he could step right in without any problem,” Arum said. “However, if he could listen to reason and come in and fight at an entry level then there could be something to work with. To think that he could come and fight one of the best fighters ever in Mayweather right away would be ludicrous.”
Arum recently celebrated his 2,000th boxing card he promoted, which was the Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward unified light heavyweight world title fight back in November.
