What date is McGregor vs Mayweather?
We didn't expect to be asking ourselves that when Conor McGregor began floating the idea around in the media: it seemed utterly fanciful. What had appeared a publicity ploy - the top star in UFC talking about boing's main guy - and vice versa - brought a healthy dose of publicity and media attention for both - has now developed into a proper, finalised bout.
So if you are those asking what date is McGregor vs Mayweather, then here are all the details we know so far...
What date is McGregor vs Mayweather?
Multiple Vegas reports claimed that they knew the date today, and now it's been confirmed: Saturday, August 26th.
Where is it?
It'll definitely be in Las Vegas. Exactly where, we're not fully clear yet. More than likely it will take place in the MGM Grand, as per reports today that the Nevada State Athletic Commission had agreed to Team Mayweather's requests to book the venue for a boxing event on August 26th. There is, however, the chance that it will move from there, and the possibility of it being hosted in the T-Mobile Arena, also in Vegas has also been floated.
How can I watch?
No details confirmed as of yet, but it will Pay Per View. And it'll be pricey.
Have we heard anything from the fighters since confirmation?
Yep, within an hour of the initial reports, Mayweather posted "THE FIGHT IS ON" to Instagram, along with an image of Floyd Mayweather Snr. This is presumably McGregor attempting to be funny.
Floyd himself confirmed a few moments later:
It's not going to be in a cage...right?
No, it's a boxing match. HBO's Max Kellerman explained precisely why back in March:
It’s a huge pay day for Conor, and it increases brand awareness because it’s a global event.
He’s not a boxer. We all know … Floyd would have zero percent chance in an octagon to beat Conor McGregor. Conor has zero percent chance in the ring to beat Floyd. And there’s no such thing as a hexagon where you can split the difference.
So why in a boxing ring? Floyd can generate more money. He’s the bigger draw and is not under a labor contract. … He’s an independent contractor. He can keep more money and can therefore offer Conor more money than anybody else.
The global event raises awareness, and if Conor loses, who cares? It’s like LeBron James not being able to hit Clayton Kershaw’s fastball. No kidding; he’s not a baseball player.
Has McGregor got any chance?
Probably not. Mayweather is undefeated, at 49-0, and while McGregor is a fine UFC fighter, his boxing skills leave much to be desired. Former middleweight champion of the world, Andy Lee explained why:
I wouldn't know about the UFC as a whole. I don't really watch a lot of it. I'm a big fan of Conor McGregor in terms of what he's done as a person. He's crossed over. He's a cultural phenomenon.
The videos I've seen of him sparring - to me, technically, it's not top level. It's not up to scratch. He can fight. He's good with his hands. In terms of boxing, it would be interesting to see if he could win an Irish professional title. That wouldn't be the highest standard in the world but it would be an interesting level.
I don't see him as a top level boxer in any way. With the UFC, he probably is because the level wouldn't be so high.
So there you have it.
The answer to the what date is McGregor vs Mayweather question you've ben asking is Saturday, August 26th, 2017.
Let the circus begin...
