No money for Mayweather as punters continue to back McGregor

July 26, 2017 2:30 pm.by Michael Maguire

McGregor Mayweather presser
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WE are now only one month away from what many are calling the greatest fight of all time.

Yet if betting trends are to be believed, it will be an utterly one-sided affair.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au reports that 85 per cent of all money wagered so far has gone to Conor McGregor.

The UFC superstar opened as the rank +500 outsider in the outright betting, but overwhelming support from punters has forced his price into +400.

That includes a single bet of $30,000 – three times the largest wager on Floyd Mayweather Jr thus far.

As things stand, Sportsbet will lose over $3.5 million in payouts if McGregor wins.

That theme is also evident abroad.

‘The Notorious One’ has drawn some huge money in the United States, including a $150,000 whopper from a punter in Nevada.

A bettor in Nevada placed $150,000 today on Conor McGregor to beat Floyd at a @WilliamHillUS sports book. If Conor wins, he’ll net $662,500.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 24, 2017

One man who cannot understand all the love for McGregor is Mike Tyson.

“McGregor is going to get killed in boxing,” the former world heavyweight champion said in a recent interview.

“I got mad because I thought they were going to use MMA rules against boxing because that’s what it’s all about: Can the boxer beat the MMA guy?

“McConor [sic] put his dumb ass in a position where he’s gonna get knocked out because this guy’s been doing this all his life since he was a baby.

“McConor [sic] can’t kick and grab and stuff so he won’t stand much of a chance.

“McGregor took the biggest sucker rules in the history of boxing.”

The target of Tyson’s invective thinks otherwise.

In a controversial pre-fight press conference earlier this month, McGregor made his intentions crystal clear.

“There’s no other way about it,” he said.

“His little legs, his little core, his little head.

“I’m gonna knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words.”

Mayweather remains the obvious favourite in the eyes of the bookies, yet Sportsbet has had no choice but to push his outright odds from -666.67 out to -555.56.

Betting operators all over the world are desperate to lure money to the American’s side of the ledger.

“If anyone out there wants to back Mayweather, please get in touch with us because it’s all one-way traffic in McGregor’s favour and we’ll be facing a massive payout as it stands,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

Mayweather and McGregor will lock horns on Sunday, August 27 (2pm AEST) in Las Vegas.