Global Times

Mayweather, McGregor agree to August super- fight

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Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, two of the most popular athletes in their respective sports, have agreed to a crossover fight in the ring on August 26 in Las Vegas.

The fight confirmed on Wednesday is expected to gross millions of dollars, with Mayweather a solid favorite.

Mayweather, 40, retired in 2015 with an unblemishe­d 49- 0 profession­al boxing record while boastful Irishman McGregor, 28, is the UFC’s lightweigh­t champion.

“IT’S OFFICIAL!!!” Mayweather wrote on his Twitter account alongside a short video that included photos of both fighters.

“THE FIGHT IS ON,” McGregor tweeted minutes before Mayweather’s post.

The two fighters had gone back and forth for nearly a year on the showdown, each demanding $ 100 million for the fight. Both camps declined to disclose financial details during a call with reporters.

UFC President Dana White told ESPN that the 12- round fight would take place at the T- Mobile Arena.

If McGregor wins, it would rank among the greatest boxing upsets of all time.

Mayweather is widely regarded as one of the best defensive fighters ever, and prides himself on his ability to evade punishment with his movement and to make adjustment­s on the fly.

McGregor, the UFC’s reigning lightweigh­t champion and former featherwei­ght champion, is known as much for his bravado as for his explosive knockout power inside an MMA octagon.

The Irishman became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneo­usly when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in New York in November for the lightweigh­t championsh­ip.

Known for his devastatin­g striking and highlight- reel knockouts, McGregor is also quick on his feet but few would back him to beat one of the most complete boxers of all time.

A win for Mayweather would move him ahead of former heavyweigh­t great Rocky Marciano, who also retired with a perfect 49- 0 career record.

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