One of the most anticipated fights in years is really going to happen, as Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor have agreed to face off in Las Vegas on Aug. 26, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.
The clash of the titans pits two outspoken champions in a 12-round boxing match at 154 pounds to be held at T-Mobile Arena in Sin City. Showtime pay-per-view will distribute the fight, while Mayweather Promotions will be the lead promoter. The fight will almost certainly set a record for pay-per-view buys.
Mayweather confirmed the matchup in a tweet, simply saying: “It’s official.”
IT'S OFFICIAL!!! https://t.co/ND07Ixugs2 pic.twitter.com/JpqFW5WbcB
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) June 14, 2017
The 40-year-old retired from the ring with a 49-0 record after defeating Andre Berto in September 2015.
THE FIGHT IS ON. pic.twitter.com/KhW0u3jRft
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 14, 2017
Meanwhile, UFC star McGregor, 28, last fought against Eddie Alvarez as part of UFC 205 in November in Las Vegas, where he won the UFC Lightweight Championship by second-round technical knockout, making him the first fighter to hold titles in two divisions (lightweight and featherweight) simultaneously. McGregor’s Featherweight Championship belt was stripped later in the year due to prolonged inactivity in that weight class.
In March, Mayweather said at a British press conference that he was “officially out of retirement for Conor McGregor,” imploring the Irish champion to “sign the paper with the UFC so you can fight me in June.”
Instead, the two of them will have to wait until the end of summer to touch gloves. But don’t feel too bad: the showdown is likely to net each pugilist a nine-figure payday.