Kellie Maloney says Conor McGregor and Jake Paul are responsible for boxing drawback

On Aug 7, 2024

Kellie Maloney claims that “a number of the champions would be turning in their grave today” due to the current state of boxing.

Back in November 1999, the Peckham-born boxing promoter led Lennox Lewis to the pinnacle of his career, as he clinched undisputed glory by outclassing Evander Holyfield for the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles. Lewis held onto his crowns with victories over Michael Grant, Francois Botha, and David Tua.

However, his reign was rocked when Hasim Rahman delivered a knockout blow in the fifth round during their 2001 bout in South Africa. Lewis bounced back later that year, reclaiming his WBC, IBF, and IBO belts, and wrapped up his illustrious career with triumphs over Mike Tyson in 2002 and Vitali Klitschko in 2003.

Despite boxing’s rich history of pitting the elite against each other for honour and championship glory, Maloney reckons the sport’s ethos has taken a hit recently, becoming more about cash than credibility. The shift was highlighted when UFC icon Conor McGregor swapped the octagon for the ring in August 2017, facing off against Floyd Mayweather Jr, who boasted an unblemished 49-0 record at the time.

McGregor managed to hang in there for 10 rounds against the boxing genius before being stopped on his feet, technically losing by TKO. But aside from gaining kudos for going toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s finest, it’s reported that the Irishman pocketed a cool $130million (£102.1m) for the mega-fight.

Lucrative super fights didn’t end with the MayMac bout, as several other athletes have ventured into the boxing world. YouTube personalities Logan Paul and KSI stepped into the professional boxing ring in 2019 on a card that also featured Billy Joe Saunders defending his WBO super-middleweight title against Marcelo Esteban Coceres, and Devin Haney defending his WBC lightweight title against Alfredo Santiago.

Mayweather and McGregor went head to head in 2017
(Image: Getty Images)

In addition, Logan’s brother, Jake Paul, has built an impressive 10-1 record since his professional debut with fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib in 2020, demonstrating his prowess against a host of former UFC stars, including Ben Askren, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and most recently, Mike Perry.

However, Maloney has cast doubt on the integrity of such super fights, describing them as an “insult” to the “dedicated and dangerous sport” of boxing. Speaking to Mirror Fighting, Maloney said: “I don’t follow a lot of boxing no more. It’s changed. I don’t agree with the likes of Jake Paul fighting, I don’t agree with the old guys coming back… boxing is a young man’s sport.

Maloney made her feelings clear on Jake Paul
(Image: Getty Images)

“Boxing is a sport of dedication. I never watched any of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua against Francis Ngannou. I never watched any of those fights. I never watched Floyd Mayweather against Conor McGregor. They, to me, are insults to boxing. And I understand about the money…that sort of money wasn’t around when Lennox was around, but Lennox was a true boxing person. I’m not sure if he would have taken part in anything like that. I don’t know, because we never got the opportunity to try it.”

Kellie also reminisced about a time when Lewis was approached to participate in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), but the undisputed heavyweight champion politely turned the offer down. She added: “I do remember once that he was asked if he wanted to take part in WWF and he declined.

“Boxing is such a dedicated and dangerous sport and business, and I think a number of the champions would be turning in their grave today at what’s going on in the boxing world. I’m surprised I haven’t been asked to fight Jake Paul…” She joked: “He likes to fight old people and people past their best.”