Earlier today it was revealed that Mayweather Promotions has reserved August 26th at the MGM grand for event. This of course lead to speculation all over the internet the date would be for the much talked about Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match.
Shortly after, multiple sources started claiming that the fight WAS a done deal and would take place on August 26th in Las Vegas.
Sports giant ESPN even confirmed the story:
What began as a talk for a fight many perceived as impossible between a boxing legend and the biggest star in mixed martial arts is now a reality.
Former pound-for-pound king and five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. made the official announcement on social media Wednesday, confirming that he will exit a 23-month retirement at age 40 to face Conor McGregor, the UFC superstar, in a boxing match on Aug. 26 in Las Vegas.
UFC president Dana White, appearing on SportsCenter, said the fight would be at the boxing junior middleweight weight limit of 154 pounds, the fighters would use 10-ounce gloves and that the card would take place at the T-Mobile Arena.
The fight will be broadcast on Showtime PPV.
source: espn.com
McGregor and Mayweather also made posts on Instagram the the fight was official as well:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVVcvO8gIhc
Although the bout has been called official, the Nevada State Athletic Commission did say that neither athlete has applied for their license yet, but that is not uncommon ten weeks away from a fight. McGregor has never had a professional boxing bout and of course Floyd is 49-0 and multiple time world champion. McGregor’s last fight was a knockout win over Eddie Alvarez to earn the UFC lightweight title.
Both fighters are expected to make a huge payday for the bout, which is rumored to make Mayweather over $100 million and McGregor around $75 million.
Shortly after the news broke, UFC President Dana White appeared on ESPN to talk about the fight and argued with Stephen A. Smith about McGregor’s chances in the fight and the boxing community’s response:
