Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor: When is it, how to watch, why is it happening? Date and odds
But first who is Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor?
Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. (born Floyd Joy Sinclair; February 24, 1977)
Is an American professional boxer who also works as a boxing promoter. Widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, undefeated as a professional, and a five-division world champion, Mayweather has won fifteen world titles and the lineal championship in four different weight classes (twice at welterweight).As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympics. Mayweather is a two-time winner of The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year award (1998 and 2007), a three-time winner of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fighter of the Year award (2007, 2013, and 2015), and a six-time winner of the Best Fighter ESPY Award (2007–2010, 2012–2014).
Conor Anthony McGregor (Irish: Conchúr Antóin Mac Gréagóir; born 14 July 1988)
Is an Irish boxer and professional mixed martial artist who is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, and former UFC Featherweight Champion. During his career, McGregor has competed as a featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.
In 2008, McGregor started his mixed martial arts (MMA) career and, in 2012, he won both the Cage Warriors Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, holding both titles concurrently before vacating them to sign with the UFC. In 2015, at UFC 194, McGregor defeated José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship via knockout thirteen seconds into the first round. This was the fastest victory in UFC title fight history. Upon defeating Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 205, McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.
He is known for being the biggest pay-per-view draw in MMA history, as well as his extravagant lifestyle and trash talking.
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor has finally been confirmed. It is set to be one of the most anticipated fights in history but when is it happening, how can you watch, and fundamentally why is it happening? This is all you need to know.
When is it happening?
The fight will take place on August 26 and has now been confirmed by both parties, after months and months of speculation.
Where is it happening?
The pair will fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
What are the rules?
This was reportedly one of the early sticking points of discussion but the southpaw McGregor has agreed that this will be a boxing match, with a boxing undercard to be organised by Mayweather promotions.
The pair will fight at the boxing junior middleweight weight limit of 154 pounds and the fighters will use 10-ounce gloves, heavier than anything McGregor has fought with in MMA.
How can I watch it?
It probably won’t come cheap. The fight has already been compared to Mayweather’s infamous bout with Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and one of the standout memories of that fight was how the average boxing fan was horrendously priced out of the fight by outrageous ticket prices and pay-per-view options.
The main broadcaster will of course be Showtime PPV given that Showtime organise Mayweather’s fights.
If you’re in the UK it’s likely, but at the time of writing unconfirmed, that Sky Sports will show the fight. BT Sport show McGregor in UFC but this is a boxing match so it is highly likely it will be shown on Sky especially given their relationship with Showtime.
If you live outside the UK you’re going to have to check your local broadcasters closer to the time.
Has anything like this ever happened before?
The most obvious example that springs to mind is when Muhammad Ali travelled to Japan in 1976 to take on professional wrestler Antonio Inoki.
So why is this fight happening...?
(Not official) McGregor could earn around $100 million and Mayweather around $250 million.
So what’s going to happen?
Mayweather is going to beat McGregor. Badly.
And what the odds?
The bookies reflect my prediction above. Mayweather is 1/16 in some places, with McGregor priced at 6/1. That's what's known as a one-horse race.
More info:
Wins and loses:
Mayweather is 49-0 in his professional boxing career (26 by KO).
McGregor is 21-3 (18 by KO - 1 submission - 2 decisions).
Mayweather McGregor
Height: 1.73 m / 5′ 8″ Height: 173 m / 5'8"
Weight: 68 kg / 150 lbs Weight: 70 Kkg / 155 LBS