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McGregor v Pacquiao – Taylor v Cyborg – Taylor backs the boxers to win

Katie Taylor believes any MMA operator would find it hard to beat a boxer in the boxing ring.

As a result the undisputed lightweight champion doesn’t believe UFC star Conor McGregor has much hope of upsetting Manny Pacquiao, equally she is confident of defeating star Bellator name Cris Cyborg.

The former Crumlin amateur faces Dustin Poirier on January 23 in the UFC, but the pairs manager Audie Attar, as recent as this week, claimed ‘The Notorious’ and ‘Pac Man’ will meet in 2021.

McGregor already fought a modern day boxing great in Floyd Mayweather and Taylor believes the fight with the Philippine sensation will go the same way.

Taylor told The Irish Mirror: “It’s hard to look past the likes of Manny Pacquiao. I’m obviously a huge McGregor fan, he’s been a huge supporter of me, but it’s very hard to see past the boxers in those situations.

“The likes of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the two best boxers of our generation. But if anyone can do it, I guess Conor McGregor can. He’s got the best mindset and a great mentality. He has such a winning mindset.”

A similar cross code fight could be on the cards for the Irish star. Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has mentioned Cyborg as possible 2021 opponent for the queen of boxing.

If it’s a fight if made Taylor believes she will win.

“I think Cyborg is the bigger fighter in that situation. She’s probably regarded as a stronger fighter against me so that obviously favours her, but regardless of who I’m stepping into the ring with I’m always going to favour myself.

“Every time I step into the ring I expect to come out as the winner so that’s not going to change against Cyborg.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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