Mayweather to fight McGregor in August

Floyd Mayweather Jr has confirmed his hotly-anticipated fight with Conor McGregor will take place on August 26.

The pair have been trading verbal blows for months and a deal has been a long time coming despite both men stressing they were keen for the fight to take place.

However, that all changed on Wednesday after the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved a request put in by Mayweather Promotions to host a boxing match in late August.

Soon after, both Mayweather and McGregor took to social media to confirm the fight will take place, a move that will send shockwaves through both boxing and MMA.

THE FIGHT IS ON. pic.twitter.com/KhW0u3jRft

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 14, 2017

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! https://t.co/ND07Ixugs2 pic.twitter.com/JpqFW5WbcB

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) June 14, 2017

The fight will be a boxing match, which means Mayweather's undefeated 49-0 record is at stake if McGregor can cause a huge upset.

The Irishman became the first fighter to hold two UFC world titles in two weight divisions simultaneously with his win over Eddie Alvarez, but he has never boxed professionally.

McGregor has not fought since his win over Alvarez but that has not diminished his popularity and he was named as the 24th highest-earning athlete in 2017 - alongside Gareth Bale - in the recent Forbes list.

Mayweather had previously topped that list on three separate occasions but relinquished his crown following his retirement after victory over Andre Berto in September 2015.

That win ensured he finished his career with an unblemished record - a record he had previously said he would only put on the line to face McGregor - and he has been true to his word by stepping out of retirement for August's bout in Las Vegas.

 

Photo by Getty Images