F2F Class Notes (Nemo) [R]

NemoMichael

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Floyd Mayweather has won what was billed as the fight of the century, and the richest fight in boxing history. Mayweather took home a staggering $100 million for defeating Conor McGregor in 10 rounds in Las Vegas on Saturday. Thousands of spectators paid tens of thousands of dollars for ringside seats. Millions more around the world tuned in on pay-per-view streaming sites. Boxing purists derided the fight as a circus event and a mismatch. It pitched Mayweather, one of the greatest fighters in boxing history, who had never been defeated or even knocked down, against McGregor – a mixed martial arts fighter in his first ever professional boxing match. But the hype surrounding it made it a huge spectacle.

Mayweather, 40, entered the ring as the heavy favourite, even though he had retired two years ago. His boxing record was 49 wins (including 26 knockouts) and no defeats. McGregor, 29, is the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight world champion. Mayweather’s victory came early in the 10th round. The referee dived in to save McGregor from any more punishment from Mayweather’s flurries of punches. Victory means Mayweather has 50 wins and no defeats, to edge ahead of the legendary Rocky Marciano, who retired with a 49-0 record. McGregor gave a gutsy and spirited performance, but in the end, Mayweather’s vast experience and superior technique came through.

Vocabulary

spectacle (n): 1-an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts attention, interest, or disapproval:
E.g.: It was a strange spectacle to see the two former enemies shaking hands and slapping each other on the back.
E.g.: We witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of an old lady climbing a tree to rescue her cat.

spectator (n): 1-a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part:
E.g.: They won 4–0 in front of over 40,000 cheering spectators.

staggering (adj): 1 -very shocking and surprising:
E.g.: It costs a staggering $50,000 per week to keep the museum open to the public.

martial art (n): 1- a sport that is a traditional Japanese or Chinese form of fighting or defending yourself:
E.g.: Kung fu and karate are martial arts.

purist (n): 1-someone who believes in and follows very traditional rules or ideas in a subject:
E.g.: Purists eat smoked salmon with nothing more than lemon and black pepper.

deride (v): 1-to laugh at someone or something in a way that shows you think they are stupid or of no value:
E.g.: He derided my singing as pathetic.
E.g.: This building, once derided by critics, is now a major tourist attraction.

hype (n/v): 1-a situation in which something is advertised and discussed in newspapers, on television, etc. a lot in order to attract everyone’s interest:
media hype
E.g.n.: There’s been a lot of hype around/surrounding his latest film.
E.g.n.: I’ve been put off reading the book by all the hype.
E.g.v.: It’s being hyped as the musical event of the year.

gutsy (adj): 1-brave and determined:
E.g.: a gutsy performance