LAS VEGAS (AFP) – British boxer Amir Khan fears Conor McGregor could face serious injury as the Irishman prepares to face Floyd Mayweather here Saturday.
Former light-welterweight world champion Khan told the MMA Hour television show Friday he believed mixed martial arts star McGregor could be hurt in what he expects will be a one-sided meeting with Mayweather in Las Vegas.
McGregor has never fought in a professional boxing contest and is a huge underdog against Mayweather, a 49-0 fighter regarded as one of the best boxers in history.
‘‘It’s like a tennis player trying to play badminton,’’ Khan said.
‘‘So he (McGregor) should not show too much too balls in this fight. If he starts getting a beating – step out man,’’ he added.
‘‘He needs to think about himself in this fight, because if he gets seriously injured, he might not ever be the same fighter or he might not even fight again.’’
Khan’s fears reflect wider misgivings by some in the boxing community who believe Saturday’s money-spinning superfight should never have been sanctioned on safety grounds.