PMT DB
PMT DB
Jon Anik and Stitch Duran on Mayweather-McGregor and Fighting Blood
We are live from the Mirage Sportsbook in Las Vegas for the biggest fight weekend in years. The energy is electric, the crowd is surprisingly good-looking for a PMT event, and the guys are ready to dive into the chaos of Mayweather versus McGregor. Before the combat sports experts joined, Big Cat and PFT Commenter had to address the national crisis of jersey burning after LeBron James decided to lecture fans on Twitter.
Big CatLeBron James is only defending jersey burning to protect his future self for when he leaves Cleveland again
LeBron's statements are right. I'm always a players guy. The owners don't look out for the players. But this, to me, is classic LeBron looking out for future LeBron. Because he knows he's going to leave.
While LeBron was busy trying to frame the narrative for his eventually inevitable second departure from Cleveland, the guys established the ground rules for when a fan can actually reach for the lighter fluid.
PFT CommenterIt is only socially acceptable to burn LeBron James' jersey
Any player that is a traitor to the town that he was born in and then leaves twice. That's fair. So LeBron James. It is now socially acceptable only to burn LeBron James' jersey.
Since it’s a baseball brawl weekend too, Big Cat made sure to give credit to Miguel Cabrera for throwing hands, even if baseball players are notoriously terrible at actually landing a punch.
Big CatBrawls are necessary for people to care about baseball
Brawling in baseball is good for baseball. It's great for baseball. ... Brawls need to happen in baseball for people to care about baseball more than they do right now.
Jon Anik on Boxing's Survival
UFC announcer Jon Anik joined the show to provide some actual insight into the spectacle. While most boxing purists are acting like this fight is a sign of the apocalypse, Anik sees it as a necessary jolt of energy for a sport that hasn't been the main character in the sports world for a long time.
Jon AnikThe Mayweather-McGregor fight is a lifeline for the sport of boxing
I think boxing, in some respect, should be thankful to Conor McGregor because boxing hasn't been the biggest story in sports, certainly since Mayweather Pacquiao. ... So I think in some respects, this is a lifeline for boxing.
PFT immediately went to the darker side of the coin, wondering what happens to the entire infrastructure of the Sweet Science if an MMA fighter walks in and humbles one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time.
PFT CommenterThe sport of boxing will implode if Conor McGregor beats Floyd Mayweather
The sport is going to implode if Conor McGregor beats maybe the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time. So you're saying maybe it's time for the panic button for the sport of boxing.
The conversation also turned to the recent news regarding Jon Bones Jones and his latest drug test failure. Anik didn't mince words about the lack of a defense coming out of the Jones camp.
Jon AnikJon Jones' drug test failure for steroids is likely indefensible if he remains silent
If you have any sort of defense ... when guys pop ... especially for an anabolic steroid that allegedly is ingested orally ... you're screaming from the rooftops, telling everybody you're innocent. ... instead of trying to provide answers or some sort of statement, we're not hearing much from Jon Jones.
When it comes to the actual result on Saturday night, Anik is looking at the betting value. He doesn't see Floyd putting Conor on the floor, but he does see the professional boxer doing what he does best over twelve rounds.
Jon AnikFloyd Mayweather will beat Conor McGregor by decision
I see some betting value on Floyd Mayweather at plus 230 by decision ... I feel pretty convicted that Floyd's not going to knock Conor McGregor out.
Stitch Duran's Blood Stories
Legendary cut man Jacob "Stitch" Duran sat down to talk about the physical reality of being in the corner. Stitch has seen it all, from Robbie Lawler’s lip being split in half to veins popping between fighters' eyes. He gave McGregor a real shot early on, noting that the first two rounds will be the most dangerous for Mayweather because of McGregor’s unorthodox grappling-heavy pressure.
Stitch DuranConor McGregor has a legitimate puncher's chance in the first two rounds
I told Floyd these first two rounds are dangerous because [McGregor] is a grappler and he's used to close in fighting. And if he throws those bombs ... it's hard enough to knock anybody out. After that, once Floyd figures out the routine, then it should be a pretty simple fight.
Stitch also pushed back on the idea that Mayweather is going to come out and hunt for a highlight reel knockout. He knows Floyd’s hands and his style too well, predicting a more clinical approach to the fight.
Stitch DuranFloyd Mayweather doesn't have one-shot knockout power, but will win via cumulative damage
Power, I don't think so. You know, but I think through damage. Creating damage, I think is a big factor.
Despite being in the heart of Las Vegas for the weekend, Stitch ended the interview by paying homage to the true home of combat sports.
Stitch DuranMadison Square Garden is the best venue for fights over Las Vegas
Vegas has so many great fights, but, man, there ain't nothing like the Garden, brother. [It is the Mecca].
Spin Zone and Jimbos
The guys also hit on a heavy week for friends of the program. After Blake Bortles was temporarily benched for Chad Henney, PFT found the silver lining for the Jags QB.
PFT CommenterIt's better to be the backup quarterback of the Jaguars than the starter
It's better to be the backup quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars than the starting quarterback. He's not going to have all that stress, so he's not going to lose his hair as fast.
Then there was the Ryen Russillo situation. After Russillo was arrested for a drunken condo mix-up in Wyoming, Big Cat was quick to point out that the legal system is looking at the wrong people.
Big CatThe architect of the condos Ryen Russillo was arrested at is on the hook for his arrest because they all look identical
I got a tweet that said, 'I have stayed at the same condos that Ryen got arrested at, and they all look exactly alike.' Good enough for me. So the architect is on the hook for this one, and the people who woke him up from his nap.
He made it very clear that the PMT family stands with Ryen during this difficult time of being a human being who makes mistakes.
Big CatAnyone who isn't 'Team Russillo' is on the wrong side of history
This is a heavy one, but you don't want to be on the wrong side of history. So if you're not Team Russillo, you're going to be on – history will not look fondly upon you.
The show wrapped up with the return of Jimbos featuring Octagon Bob, including a classic story about a listener who mistakenly called his boss "Hammer Jenkins" and another who accidentally took a Costco-sized dose of stool softeners instead of Advil.
Remember, if you lose all your money this weekend, just stare at the ceiling until 4:00 AM and pretend you’re retired from gambling.
