Frank Almonte

A number of Christian-identifying churches nationwide hosted viewing parties late Saturday into the early hours of Sunday morning for those interested in watching the Mayweather v. McGregor fight as Floyd Mayweather, who has spent time in jail for domestic battery, and Conor McGregor, who once said he would “whoop Jesus’ [expletive]” in a fight, punched each other in hopes of a knock-out.

The fight, which had been hyped-up with much pomp and pride with both men boasting themselves as being better than the other, was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with Corona beer serving as a sponsor. The company’s name was emblazoned across the boxing ring, and also on the tops of the scantily-clad women who joined the announcer in the ring.

“What better city than Las Vegas than to take a chance? The city is built on gambling. I’m taking a gamble, but it’s worth it,” Mayweather said during a press conference on Wednesday.

“I certainly know I’m going to win,” McGregor also remarked at the event. “… You ever had a shin bone bounce off of your cheekbone? You ever come through that? That’s the game I come from. So, they can say what they want. I’ve come through a lot tougher than any of these have come through.”

In 2015, when asked how he would fair in a fight against Jesus in the octagon, McGregor replied, “There’s not a man alive that can beat me! But Jesus ain’t alive, is He? So I don’t [expletive] know. Maybe He can come back from the dead. I don’t know. I’d still whoop His [expletive].”

Nonetheless, a number of church nationwide chose to host special viewing parties of the Mayweather v. Mcgregor match, either as a time of general fellowship and/or as an effort to tie the fight into Scripture.

“New Hope Las Vegas will be hosting a special viewing of the BIG FIGHT between Floyd Mayweather & Connor McGregor directly after a SPECIAL message ‘Fighting the Good Fight of Faith’ from Pastor Vic Ortiz on Saturday,” New Hope Las Vegas posted to social media (caps in original). “Be sure to BRING a potluck dish. Join in community and fellowship with us for this special occasion. Bring your friends, family, and food. We’ll see you all there.”

“If you want to watch cable T.V., if you want to watch Conor McGregor [and] Floyd Mayweather fight, come on down here. We’re holding it for free [as] our gift to you,” a representative of Serve Church from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania also said in an online video.

“It’s not too late to make it out to the Mayweather vs. Mcgregor pay per view watch party! We’d love to see you here,” Church for the Nations in Tuscon, Arizona similarly posted.

Various professing Christians likewise posted to Facebook, noting that they had either attended the viewing party at their church, or had watched the fight and home and thought God should give them credit for still making it to church hours later.

“Enjoying the fellowship as we wait for the main event. My pastor is the best!! Fight party at Little Rock Baptist Church! Yes, at church! I love these people!” wrote Latanya Blankney, who attends Little Rock Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey.

“Stayed up until 3 a.m. post Mayweather/McGregor fight and still up at 8 a.m. for church. Jesus better love me,” joked Robert Shelby Bailey of Bentonville, Arkansas.

However, Ryan Denton of the Texas-based Christ in the Wild Ministries and former New Mexico pastor, told Christian News Network that he was grieved that such debauchery was being presented in the house of God.

“In a day when so-called churches are ordaining women pastors and promoting homosexual marriage and abortion, it really doesn’t surprise me that some are celebrating violence and carnality on their big screens and calling it fellowship. But it does grieve me terribly,” he said. “When did Christ become so puny and powerless that He had to be replaced with a couple hours of violence?”