Eddie Hearn: Mayweather vs McGregor would be the 'biggest boxing mismatch ever'

A prospective money-spinning crossover bout between former five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr and UFC kingpin Conor McGregor would be the "biggest boxing mismatch ever", according to Matchroom managing director and high-profile promoter Eddie Hearn.

Speculation regarding a multi-million dollar fight between the world-famous duo continues to rumble on with the undefeated Mayweather, who stepped away from the ring in September 2015 after equalling Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record with a straightforward points defeat of Andre Berto, confirming last month that he was officially coming out of retirement just to face McGregor.

While such a mega-event would inevitably draw an enormous global audience due to the sizable reputations of the men involved, it certainly has not been without its detractors.

Chief among the criticisms is that McGregor, while renowned for his striking skills against other mixed martial artists, would not stand a realistic chance of beating the highly-skilled and evasive Mayweather at his own game.

That appears to be a view shared by Hearn, who claims that the outspoken Dubliner would even come unstuck against some of his younger cohort.

"People are trying to lure us in," Eddie Hearn said of the rise of UFC during an extensive joint The Guardian interview with father and Matchroom chairman Barry. "I don't mind MMA and I've been fascinated by Conor McGregor from a business perspective.

"McGregor is one of the world's best MMA fighters but I've got kids at York Hall who would beat him hands down in a boxing match. And he's fighting Floyd Mayweather? That's the biggest boxing mismatch ever but if they need a promoter, give me a call. I'd snap it up."

Matchroom is currently in the midst of a busy month with regards to boxing, with Ricky Burns' light-welterweight unification clash with Julius Indongo and Martin Murray's middleweight battle against Gabriel Rosado followed by the small matter of a heavyweight title contest between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium that Barry Hearn believes could be the "biggest British pay-per-view fight of all time".

Looking ahead to that much-anticipated clash for Joshua's IBF belt and the vacant WBA 'Super' and IBO straps, Eddie Hearn said: "All you're lacking in this fight is the bad bloke, Boxing people go: 'How refreshing.' But I might think: 'AJ, hit him at the press conference.' No chance. He'd laugh at you. But it's huge anyway. I'm actually concerned about Klitschko as it's a complete 50-50 fight.'"