Kris Shannon: Why you should watch Mayweather-McGregor bout

Who would you want to win? Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are both reprehensible human beings. Photo / AP

Depending on whom you ask, tomorrow's bout between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is the fight of the century or a complete farce. Being an 'objective journalist', the following is a case for why you should - and shouldn't - watch.

Why you should

Like it or loathe it, this is unquestionably the biggest sporting event of 2017. In a year without a World Cup, Olympics, Commonwealth Games or even a Winter Olympics, there's little else on the calendar that transcends codes and pulls in regular punters. There's no denying people are going to talk about this.

Why you shouldn't

By now, the discerning sport fan has taken in tomes of information about what a mismatch this bout will be, so let's focus on how boring it will be. The best boxers in the world could barely lay a glove on Mayweather, undeniably the greatest defensive fighter of a generation. Remember the last so-called 'fight of the century'? You shouldn't. Mayweather's unanimous victory over the once-great Manny Pacquiao was that forgettable. McGregor, meanwhile, hasn't boxed since he was a teenager. And for those thinking a lopsided contest could lead to a spectacular knockout, think again. Mayweather hasn't knocked out an opponent since 2011, winning nine of his last 10 fights by decision.

Why you should

What else are you going to do on a Sunday afternoon? Watch the Warriors? Please.

Why you shouldn't

Floyd Mayweather is a reprehensible human being. The most valuable thing to emerge from the Pacquiao fight was Mayweather's misdeeds becoming mainstream knowledge. And by 'misdeeds', I mean his repeated battering of women - at least seven separate physical assaults on five different women over a 12-year period that resulted in arrest or citation, including one attack on the mother of his children in front of those very kids. When Mayweather finally faced serious questions about the incidents while promoting the Pacquiao bout, 'The Money Team' responded by rescinding the press credentials of two leading female journalists. Mayweather is a pig and the fact he's still competing at the top level of sport is a sporting and societal failure.

Why you should

Maybe McGregor will go crazy and dish out some overdue justice with a spinning back kick to the head.

Why you shouldn't

Unfortunately, McGregor is also a reprehensible human being. Boxing has a chequered history of using racial tension to sell fights but such tactics seemed a sad memory of a bygone era. Until the last few months, that is, when McGregor spent the circus that was the press tour telling Mayweather to "dance for me, boy". When criticised for the remarks, the Irishman explained he couldn't possibly be considered racist because he was "half-black from the belly-button down", capping those comments with a pelvic thrust "for my beautiful black female fans". So yeah, good luck picking a fighter to cheer for.

Why you should

You are free to enjoy whatever you like, no matter what sanctimonious newspaper columnists say.

Why you shouldn't

Watching would validate the carnival to which we've been treated and encourage more athletes to do likewise. This fight is no different to Michael Phelps racing a shark, except it costs fans in the United States $100 to watch and both participants are going to receive nine-figure sums for their minimal efforts. Enjoy sport but wish it were more contrived, less competitive and closer to overblown entertainment than athletic competition? Then this fight is for you.

Why you should

Because the next athletes to attempt a similar stunt could again be Mayweather and McGregor. That's right, a rematch. Feel free to tune in on either the one-in-a-hundred chance Mayweather walks into a punch or the much more likely scenario the fight goes to the cards and we see the most egregious decision in boxing history. Which would be kind of entertaining.

Why you shouldn't

Because you're not a sucker. Are you?