Mayweather raring to make history

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather said he has no problem coming out of retirement to fight mixed-martial-arts star Conor McGregor in what some are predicting will be one of the richest fights in history.

“McGregor is a tough competitor. People all around the world demanded this fight so I had to give them what they wanted to see,” Mayweather told BSOTV in an interview that aired on Saturday.

“They asked for this fight. I was in retirement, but they wanted me back and I’m back.”

Mayweather was making his first public comments since Wednesday’s announcement of the much-discussed fight, which will take place on Aug 26 in the US boxing capital of Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old Mayweather has been retired since beating Andre Berto in September 2015 and improving his career record to 49-0.

The matchup with Irishman McGregor gives Mayweather a chance to reach the 50-0 career milestone.

Asked about financial details of the fight, Mayweather said both sides are pleased.

“Both parties are very happy,” Mayweather said. “He’s very happy, I’m very happy and I can’t wait.”

But many boxing experts have slammed the event as an exhibition spectacle, pointing to the fact that the 28-year-old McGregor has never had a professional boxing match and only dabbled in the sport as a teenager.