For months fans have been counting down the days to the Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor showdown in Las Vegas. The boxer and MMA champ are finally meeting in the boxing ring on Aug. 26.
Many believe Mayweather, 40, has the advantage. He’s won every single fight in his professional career (49-0). He was last defeated in 1996 during a semi-final match in the Olympics in Atlanta, Ga. McGregor, on the other hand, has never participated in either an amateur or professional boxing match in his career. But don’t discount his skills as a fighter—the Irishman, 29, was the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold championship belts in two classes, featherweight, and lightweight.
Many MMA fans are throwing their support behind McGregor, while legions of others believe he’s just going to embarrass himself in the ring. The competitors will be using 8-ounce gloves, which is in McGregor’s favor, but can he really defeat a seasoned boxing pro in his own game?
As of Friday, the odds favored Mayweather at minus-400, according to OddsShark. The winner will receive a belt, and both will be paid a large sum of money. The fight purse is estimated around $300 million but depends on several factors, including pay-per-view sales and ticket sales. According to reports, the split will be either 70-30 or 75-25. Mayweather is set to pocket $210 or $225 million, while McGregor will get $80 or $75 million. When Mayweather squared off against Manny Pacquiao in 2015, he took home $180 million.
Mayweather is expected to retire from fighting following the match, win or lose. It’s unclear whether McGregor will continue to pursue a boxing career. He has announced his intention to defend his MMA lightweight title.
The fight is expected to generate $700 million in revenue, some of which will be earned from the PPV price tag: $89.99 for standard definition and $99.99 for HD. Fifty million people are expected to watch from the comfort of their own homes or at various events throughout the country. There are still tickets available to watch in person, and prices have been dropping steadily. It may be possible to scoop one up for $1,000 on Saturday.
Whatever happens, millions will be tuning in following months of promotion and trash talk from the competitors. It’s expected to be the most-watched fight event in history. Fight coverage kicks off on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime PPV.
