Thursday 17 August 2017 16:28, UK
Johnny Nelson insists mixed martial artists are fitter than boxers ahead of the cross-code clash between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.
The former cruiserweight champion is adamant the UFC star will be in better shape than 40-year-old Mayweather on August 26, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Nelson told the latest Fit in 5 podcast that only the elite level boxers could cope with mixed martial arts' finest, but also made it clear that 'Notorious' will not be one of them.
If you are going to measure this down to fitness for this fight, I give it to Conor McGregor
"Mixed martial artists are fitter than boxers," told the Fit for 5 podcast.
"I don't know if boxers will be listening to this, saying 'shut up Johnny' but trust me, they (MMA fighters) are the fittest of the fittest and these guys can beat a lot of fighters up to a certain level.
"But then when you have the technique, the sweet art of boxing, the science down to a 't', they can't beat you.
"They are stupidly fit. So if you are going to measure this down to fitness for this fight, I give it to Conor McGregor.
"But this will be all about skills for Mayweather. He is not going to out-fit a 29-year-old Conor McGregor who's top of the game at mixed martial arts, never in a quadrillion years, so this is about skill."
Nelson, though, can't see McGregor producing one of boxing's biggest shocks but admits that the T-Mobile Arena event will have everybody watching.
Having been ringside for Mayweather's win over long-time rival Manny Pacquiao in May 2015, the Sky Sports pundit admits this is "the most intriguing fight of the century".
Host Marvin Ambrosius suggested the cross-code bout will be the biggest fight of the century and having been ringside for Mayweather's win over Pacquiao two years ago, the Sky Sports pundit can't see anything other than 'Money' moving to 50-0.
"Look at Mayweather and McGregor - Floyd Mayweather has all the skills," he said.
"The best of the best couldn't beat him and his defence was second to none.
"The only thing that would give McGregor a chance was the fact that Mayweather's been out of the ring for two years, is 40 years old and he's got a little bit slower. This is a slim, slim ask."
You can download the latest Fit for 5 podcast here or last week's show, featuring Sarah-Jane Mee here.
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