Floyd Mayweather finally takes on Conor McGregor in the fight that's got the whole world talking in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Here's everything you need to know if you're planning to watch the drama unfold...
The months of endless trash talking and hype finally stops at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday August 26 (early hours Sunday morning UK time) as undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather takes on UFC star Conor McGregor in front of millions of fight fans watching around the world.
No professional boxer has ever solved the puzzle on how to defeat the unblemished 40-year-old in his 49 career bouts dating back to 1996 - so now it all rests on one of the greatest fighters in the Octagon's history to crack it in what will be Mayweather's final showdown before retiring for good.
Whether you're hooked on the hype, fascinated by the clash of styles, thinking of having a bet or one of the many critics branding it all a 'circus' and a 'farce' (you're still reading this, right?!) - here's all the key information you need...
What time is the fight and the ring-walks?
If you're watching the whole event, including the undercard, from midnight in the UK then you may need plenty of coffee to keep tiredness at bay as the ring-walks for Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor aren't expected until around 0430 BST (Sunday August 27).
You can also bet your bottom dollar that these two egotistical showmen will have the most extravagant and long drawn out walk-ons imaginable - packed with special guests for sure - as both look to steal the limelight and headlines before the fighting begins. Don't be surprised if the big fight divas keep you waiting either, although hopefully not as long as the 90 minutes New Yorkers had to hang around for them to appear in the third leg of the MayMac World Press Tour.
With all this in mind, the first bell might not sound until closer to 0500 BST - but if you're setting you're alarm, go earlier to be on the safe side.
What TV channel is Mayweather v McGregor on?
This blockbuster showdown - and undercard - will be screened live on Sky Sports Box Office (Channel 491) and Sky Sports Box Office HD (Channel 492) in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with coverage starting at midnight and running for seven hours to include all the live action and reaction.
How much will the PPV cost and how do I book it?
Rest assured, if you're living in the UK or Ireland, you won't be paying the same as those in America! Fight fans across the pond will have to shell out $89.95 (£69) - plus a further $10 for HD - if they want to watch this cross-combat sport extravaganza on Showtime Sports.
Over here, the whole Mayweather v McGregor event is £19.95 for UK customers (€24.95 for Republic of Ireland customers) until midnight on Friday, August 25 and although that price holds after then for 'self-service' bookings (remote control/online), it will go up to £26.95/€29.95 (ROI) if booked via the phone.
The price reverts back to 19.95/€24.95 (ROI) from 0700 BST on Sunday, August 27 for those who decide they want to watch the repeats at 1000 BST and 1700 BST that day.
Subscribers can buy the PPV fight via your Sky remote (using the Box Office button), online (my.sky.com/orderboxoffice) or by calling 03442 410888 in the UK and 0818 220 225 in ROI (there may be a £2 booking fee for telephone bookings).
You can watch the fight on Sky Sports Box Office as a Virgin TV customer too, using a TiVo or Virgin TV V6 box. It costs £19.95 - or £1 extra for HD.
Fancy a flutter? Who is favourite and what other odds are available?
Floyd Mayweather remains the odds-on favourite to win (1/4) but Sky Bet report over 80% of the money has been for Conor McGregor (3/1) to cause an upset - and you can click here to find out why.
If you think Mayweather's unbeaten boxing record won't be blemished by a UFC fighter but want bigger odds to bet on, then Sky Bet have over 30 markets and RequestABet specials to get involved with. Here are a selection for fans of both rivals to check out... (odds correct at 21/08/2017)
Method of Victory
- Mayweather by KO/TKO/DQ - 4/6
- Mayweather by decision - 11/4
- McGregor by KO/TKO/DQ - 4/1
- McGregor by decision - 28/1
Selections of specials
- McGregor to land less than five punches in the fight - 13/2
- Mayweather to be knocked down and win - 8/1
- McGregor to be knocked down and win - 12/1
- McGregor to be disqualified - 14/1
- Both fighters to be knocked down & Mayweather win on points - 33/1
- A rematch in the Octagon within a year - 49/1
- McGregor to win in first 90 seconds of round 1 - 66/1
- McGregor to be KO'ed in rds 5&6, Mayweather to win in rounds 7-9 - 80/1
- McGregor to be DQ'ed in round 10 - 100/1
Fight to go the distance
Click here for more Sky Bet odds including round betting and more RequestABet specials!
Is the fight boxing rules or MMA?
Of course, boxing rules will be in force which means there will be no MMA style moves you'd see in UFC like leg kicks or takedowns - although many fight fans would love to see the pair face off in the Octagon!
Although this clearly plays into Mayweather's hands as he bids to extend his perfect record to 50 wins (eclipsing the great heavyweight Rocky Marciano no less), they will be using 8oz gloves which many feel will give McGregor an advantage of sorts.
Backers of the Irishman will hope he's been a quick learner to the skills of boxing - especially considering he's fighting a tactically gifted defensive master - but the leak of his sparring session with Paulie Malignaggi (see above) is at least some evidence he may be able to hold his own.
What are each fighter's records?
Floyd Mayweather's perfect professional boxing record has stood at 49 wins since retiring for the second time in the wake of his victory over Andre Berto in September 2015. The last of his 26 KO victories came against Victor Ortiz back in 2011 while his other 23 have come via decision. In his remarkable pro career, which started in 1996 after winning an Olympic bronze medal in Atlanta, the American won world titles in five weight classes (super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight) and has beaten the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Juan Martin Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya - to name but seven.
Conor McGregor is obviously a boxing novice but he quickly shot to stardom in the Ultimate Fighting Championship after making his debut in 2013 and has since become the biggest PPV draw in MMA history. His 13-second KO victory over Jose Aldo in December 2015 was the stuff of legend but he came crashing back down to earth three months later when Nate Diaz inflicted his first UFC loss via submission. The Irishman gained revenge in the hotly-anticipated rematch in August last year with a decision victory before becoming UFC Lightweight champion with a TKO triumph over Eddie Alvarez in November. He hasn't fought since. For what it's worth, his overall MMA record stands at 21 wins (18 KOs, 1 submission, 2 decision) and three defeats (all submission).
What fights are on the undercard?
British fight fans will be rooting for Wales' Nathan Cleverly as he defends his WBA world light-heavyweight title against Badou Jack, who has beaten George Groves and drawn with James DeGale in the past, while Middlesbrough's two-time Olympian Savannah Marshall makes her pro debut against Sydney LeBlanc.
There's another title fight on the bill as Gervonta Davis makes the second defence of his IBF super-featherweight strap against Francisco Fonseca. Here's the full under card running order (subject to change) ...
- Gervonta Davis (1/33) v Francisco Fonseca (10/1)
IBF super featherweight title - Nathan Cleverly (3/1) v Badou Jack (1/4)
WBA light heavyweight title - Andrew Tabiti (4/11) v Steve Cunningham (15/8) (cruiserweight)
- Yordenis Ugas (8/13) v Thomas Dulorme (6/5) (welterweight)
- Juan Heraldez v Jose Miguel Borrego (welterweight)
- Kevin Newman v Antonio Hernandez (super middleweight)
- Savannah Marshall (1/100) v Sydney LeBlanc (18/1) (super middleweight)
Sky Bet odds in brackets, and correct at 21/08/2017
Related MayMac Links
- Simon Crawford's Mayweather v McGregor betting tips
- Ricky Hatton: The big interview
- Mayweather v McGregor: Fight week schedule
- When is the Mayweather v McGregor weigh in?
- Mayweather v McGregor: Odds update
- Who do the punters think will win?
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