Can McGregor box?

Conor McGregor’s southpaw straight left won him the UFC championship inside 13 seconds and has become one of the most feared punches in the fight world.

Along with his elusive footwork and eye-catching, hands-down style, the Irishman’s punching ability has resulted in fight fans dreaming of a duel against boxing great Floyd Mayweather. Even if that’s fantasy, McGregor has forged a reputation in the boxing world without ever stepping in a professional ring.

But if he’s such a good boxer, why did he depart the sport as a teenager? McGregor lost his most recent UFC fight to Nate Diaz so has he profited from a string of grappling-based opponents that lack skills with their hands?

Paschal Collins, Ireland’s seasoned boxing trainer, remembers an unknown MMA enthusiast who was at home in the boxing gym. “Three or four years ago, I always reckoned that he could have gone all the way in boxing for the reason that his work ethic is unbelievable,” Collins told Sky Sports. “He trains – no, he practises – three times a day.

“You know when somebody walks into a room and they stand out? He had a confidence but behind the scenes he keeps his head down. I would watch him for an hour and he’d practise the same move over and over. He stood out, absolutely.

“He’s brave, he’s got a heart, and he’s afraid of nobody. He sparred my nephew Stevie Jr, a cruiserweight, and showed no fear even when he was clipped. Conor was in my gym two weeks ago and I did southpaw pad work with him.”

Before McGregor’s growth took him through Collins’ pro gym, he first learned to wrap his hands in the Crumlin Boxing Gym, an amateur establishment rife with young Irishmen learning about the discipline of the ring.

“He was like any other novice who we taught the basics to,” Crumlin coach Phil Sutcliffe told Sky Sports. “He could have been very good if he stayed with boxing.

“Some kids …

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