Conor McGregor will knock out Floyd Mayweather in the first round, claims Tyson Fury

Former heavyweight champion Fury believes that the Irishman will spring a major upset when he meets Mayweather in Vegas

Tyson Fury has backed Conor McGregor to beat Floyd Mayweather (Getty)

Tyson Fury says Conor McGregor will defy the odds to beat Floyd Mayweather as early as the first round when the two men meet in August.

The undefeated Mayweather and two-weight UFC world champion McGregor will face one another on August 26 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in what is expected to become the highest-grossing fight in history.

With McGregor crossing over from UFC into boxing, numerous pundits have raised questions over the Irishman’s suitability to take on the American, who boasts a flawless 49-0 record.

But while numerous critics have ruled out McGregor, former heavyweight champion Fury believes that the Irishman will spring a major upset on the night – as he did in December 2015 when he KO’d Brazilian rival Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds to win the featherweight championship at UFC 194.

“I think McGregor will knock him out inside the first 35 seconds like he did to Jose Aldo, to be honest,” Fury said.

“I think McGregor will do him in one round. Come on McGregor!

“It would be good for boxing if McGregor chinned him.

“It would be great for the real people of the world.”

Mayweather’s assistant trainer recently admitted that he is “concerned” McGregor will grow frustrated during the fight and “do something crazy”.

“One way I can see the fight ending is Floyd outboxing him, beating the crap out of him,” he said.

“Another way I’m gonna be concerned about is when Floyd gets to a point where he frustrates him too much, McGregor’s gonna do something crazy. That’s the only thing I’m worried about.”