Tony Bellew has dismissed Conor McGregor's chances of beating Floyd Mayweather when the pair meet in Las Vegas, saying the only way the Irishman could best the American, is by kicking him.

McGregor will be making his debut against a 49-0 superstar who can make an extremely legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time.

Mayweather is one wily campaigner, and he will not be flustered by the whirlwind of noise that is Conor McGregor.

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Many within the sport, Bellew included, believe the fight to be somewhat of a mismatch, and Bellew has been severely unimpressed with the lack of respect being shown ahead of the August 26 grudge match.

"So little respect is being shown to boxing by people thinking a man from a different profession can walk into my sport and say I'm going to beat the best fighter of this generation; it’s not possible," said the Liverpudlian.

"Mayweather is the greatest fighter of his era and there’s no chance a man having his first professional fight is going to defeat him.

"I love Conor McGregor, and I am a huge UFC fan, but no UFC fighter is ever going to be able to get into a boxing ring and make it competitive.

"McGregor’s only chance is if he kicks him. If he doesn’t kick him, he’s f*****."

The hype surrounding the upcoming fight is bordering on outrageous.

Betfair have already released figures showing the bout to be the most bet upon event in the history of boxing with those figures still expected to soar. 

Bellew feels McGregor is in for a bit of a fright when he takes to the canvas opposite the 40-year-old Mayweather.

"I remember when UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo was over here training," he continued.

"He must have weighed over 250lb and sparring Tony Quigley who was the British super-middleweight champion.

"He hit Cheick on the chin with a punch and Cheick’s words were, 'I've never been hit so hard in my life.'

"That was from a super-middleweight at British level; can you imagine what will happen when it’s an elite-level fighter?

"If this was in a cage, Mayweather would be tapping so fast you’d think he was tap-dancing, but it's in a boxing ring and he’s going to hit McGregor so fast and so hard and so many times that he’s not going to know where the punches are coming from. He’s never seen speed like it.

"I've had a couple of MMA guys come to the gym for sparring but it wasn't pretty - and I was taking it easy. I know top-level amateurs who would out box and beat up Conor McGregor.

"I do respect McGregor for taking the UFC to the next level but he’s had it."