THERE'S been people lining up to tell you why Floyd Mayweather's megafight against Conor McGregor on Sunday isn't worth your time or your money.
From the moment it was first mooted, experts everywhere slammed it as a ridiculous money grab, as one-sided as Usain Bolt in a running race against Shane Warne and a fight that could ruin boxing.
Child, please.
This event has always been as much about entertainment as athletic endeavour. It's a s***show, but it's a beautiful s***show if you look at it the right way.
Putting aside what actually happens when the bell rings — which for me and millions of others is incentive enough to tune in — there's countless other reasons you should watch when it all goes down around 2pm AEST.
Here's eight reasons I'm buzzing for the fight, that have nothing to do with the fight itself.
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1. Celebrities
Private Jets @ Las Vegas airport for #MayPac historical fight!! Lotta celebs around!! pic.twitter.com/PVKoLceBL2
— Rajiv Thomas (@rajivthomas1984) May 4, 2015
This is what Las Vegas airport looked like last time a fight of this magnitude was held. Private jets were being slotted in like Tetris pieces when Mayweather took on Manny Pacquiao and you can expect it to be just as busy this time.
UFC president Dana White said if you haven't booked a private terminal at this stage, don't bother. "You want to get a private plane in here on Friday or Saturday, you can't," White said. "There's no more space for planes." Both camps have been hush-hush about which celebrities will be ringside, apart from Mayweather confirming close friend and recently-traded NBA superstar Isaiah Thomas will be flying out. But you can expect a swag of A-listers from the entertainment and sports worlds.
2. Entourages
American rapper Lil' Wayne (right) in the ring before the start of the fight.Source:Getty Images
Who accompanies each fighter on their walk out to the ring has fans so interested you can bet on it here in Vegas. Justin Bieber has been alongside Mayweather at previous fights but according to TMZ Sports has taken a step back from their friendship in recent times and won't be in attendance.
Singer Justin Bieber, Rapper Lil Wayne, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and rapper Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson pose.Source:Getty Images
Many have speculated whether Mayweather turns to McGregor's biggest rival, UFC bad boy Nate Diaz, in an attempt to put his opponent off his game at the last minute. Rapper Lil Wayne is another fancied pick. McGregor traditionally enters with a close-knit team from Ireland for his UFC fights but may pull something out of the hat for his boxing debut.
3. Costumes
Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring before his WBC super welterweight championship fight against Oscar De La Hoya.Source:Getty Images
Mayweather's elevation to a bonafide pay-per-view superstar came in 2007 against boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya — and the 49-0 star made quite the entrance.
Decked out in a giant sombrero and Mexican flag-coloured gown, Mayweather was the perfect villain.
Given his willingness to grab an Irish flag during the world press tour for this fight, it's not out of the realms of possibility that he adopts the garb of McGregor's homeland. Imagine the outrage.
4. Anthems
Jamie Foxx sings before Mayweather-Pacquiao.Source:Getty Images
Dana White was furious at Showtime - the company putting on the fight - after they told him they expected him to find a singer to perform the Irish anthem just days before the fight. He called U2 frontman Bono, who was unavailable because of a wedding, before talking Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May into cancelling her show at a festival in England to fill the gap.
Irish singer Imelda May cancels a gig at short notice ... Possibly to sing Irish National Anthem for @TheNotoriousMMA? #McGregor#Mayweatherpic.twitter.com/KN2WPGQFBw
— John Menton (@JMentonBE) August 25, 2017
As for the Star-Spangled Banner, let's just be thankful it's not Jamie Foxx, who didn't exactly hit all the right notes when he performed at Mayweather-Pacquiao. American singer and fight fan Demi Lovato will do the honours.
5. Irish fans
Fans of UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor pose at the official weigh-in.Source:AFP
There probably isn't a group of fight fans in the world as passionate as the Irish army that flies across the Atlantic to support McGregor. Saturday's weigh-in didn't start until 3pm but there were dozens of the UFC star's countrymen lined up outside T-Mobile Arena singing "ole, ole, ole, ole" before 9am. As long as enough can afford the average ticket price of more than $3000, witnessing them in full voice inside the 20,000-seater is going to be one hell of an experience. You'll hear it through the TV screen.
6. Conor's stance
Conor McGregor holds an open workout for media and fans.Source:Getty Images
Conor McGregor has put the finishing touches on his transition from MMA fighter to boxer, but don't expect him to completely forget his roots on Sunday. McGregor cried "this is Bruce Lee s***" as he adopted the pose of a martial artist at the final pre-fight press conference and it will be fascinating for fight fans to see what stance he takes when the bell rings.
McGregor often crouches down low on the canvas at the beginning of his UFC bouts and may throw in a few wrinkles just to mess with Mayweather's head.
Whether any other MMA habits slip out when they start exchanging is also a major talking point, but we promised to keep this list away from the real action.
7. Stunts
Conor McGregor speaks during the Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Conor McGregor World Press Tour.Source:Getty Images
During this promotion the boxing world has realised what UFC fighters discovered years ago — speaking Conor McGregor's name gets you eyeballs.
Given the crossover star has stated his ambition to keep competing in boxing and MMA after this fight, it's doubled the number of fighters who will now try to position themselves for a huge payday. That could equal a crazy stunt or two on Sunday.
Paulie Malignaggi, the retired boxer who was brought in to spar with McGregor before leaving with acrimony, has put more time in than anyone trying to ensure he's McGregor's next boxing foe. He's in Vegas on commentary duties. Will he rush the ring after the fight? If Nate Diaz arrives with Mayweather, will he grab a microphone? There's many possibilities.
8. Post-fight interviews
Conor McGregor speaks at a post-fight press conference after beating Jose Aldo.Source:Getty Images
There will be huge interest in what McGregor has to say after the fight whether he wins or loses. If he shocks the world, expect a line as perfect as his "I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise … to absolutely nobody" that followed his win against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
If he loses, it will be intriguing to see if he follows the same path as he did after being submitted by Nate Diaz, which was to put his hand up, admit his opponent was the better man on the night and begin finding a way to get better.
That might be hard to do against Mayweather, especially with a ready-made excuse that his opponent wouldn't last one round inside an Octagon. As for Mayweather, expect an annoyingly gracious farewell speech if he wins. If he loses, who knows?
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