Teddy Atlas has earned the reputation as one of the most knowledgeable minds in boxing. After training with Cus D’Amato at an early age, Atlas pursued a career as a trainer as he trained notable boxers such as Timothy Bradley & Wladimir Klitschko.

With rumors of a potential Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match taking place in September, Atlas weighed in on how he would train McGregor for a fight with Mayweather.

He explained to ESPN:

“First off, I wouldn’t. He has no chance in a traditional boxing match. His only chance would be with MMA rules, where he could try to bring Floyd to the mat where he could — of course — easily be the victor.

He would need about five years — and I’m being very generous and conservative — of boxing training and experience to even entertain the thought of being competitive with any A-plus-level boxer.

But I will play this imaginary game with you for a couple of minutes because I love ESPN. So if I did train him, at this point I’m not sure what I’d have him do, but I’m sure of what I would not have him do — I wouldn’t have him just attack like the caveman he tries to act like. Being aggressive [although there are many who would believe that is his one and only chance] would not be my advice — he would simply bring on his demise quicker, and you don’t attack a great defensive counter puncher, especially when you are so crude.

I would have [him] try and get Floyd to come forward — teach [McGregor] how to step back and counter, hoping to get Floyd to perhaps be so overconfident that he might be drawn into a trick punch — in other words, a sneak punch.

Also, if you are going to hit someone as smooth as Floyd, it has to be approached like a football team playing against a fast defense: You need misdirection plays — like Shane Mosley did a few years ago [2010] when he faked a jab to Floyd’s body and instead threw a right hand up top — after that I would pray.”