After what feels like centuries of trash talk and build-up, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor will finally step into the ring on Saturday night.
The bout has had many critics. Some see it as an overhyped exhibition between one of the greatest boxers ever and a mixed martial artist making his debut in the sport. If some of the best boxers of the last 20 years could not beat Mayweather, what hope does McGregor have? Those same critics would argue that the contest has no sporting merit, that it is merely a cynical money grab.
However, on the other hand, an awful lot of people want to watch the bout and it is expected to take break every box office record for a combat sport event. You've made it this far, so we're going to guess you're in the latter camp.
Here's some info you might need ahead of the fight, including the start time for the main event.
Where is the fight taking place?
In the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, a venue familiar to McGregor. The Irishman scored a majority decision victory over Nate Diaz in the arena at UFC 202 last August. Mayweather has never fought in the venue on the Las Vegas strip, but he has fought in the city on several occasions.
The T-Mobile Arena will also host Canelo Alvarez's fight with Gennady Golovkin in September.
What time will the fight start at?
No official start time for the fight has been announced so far, but it'll be a late one for British and Irish fans.
The main event starts at 8pm local time on Saturday evening, 4am Sunday morning on this side of the Atlantic. The opening bell for the fight between McGregor and Mayweather won't sound before 4am Sunday morning British and Irish time. It could begin as late as 5:30am. If you're planning on waking up to watch it, maybe set the alarm for around 4:00am, just to be safe.
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Box Office are broadcasting the bout. It'll cost £19.95 in the UK, and €24.95 in McGregor's native Ireland. You can recieve further information on how to order the fight by clicking
here. The card will be repeated at 10am and 5pm on Sunday. You can also watch the bout on the Sky Sports Box Office app on various platforms.
In the United States, viewers will have to fork out $89.99 to watch the fight in standard definition on Showtime, and $99.99 for high definition.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/899949564383424512
Who is on the undercard?
Welsh boxer Nathan Cleverly defends his WBA world light heavyweight title against Badou Jack, and Gervonta Davis fights Francisco Fonseca for the IBF world super featherweight title.
Here's the full undercard for the event:
Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack
Gervonta Davis vs Francisco Fonseca
Andrew Tabiti vs Steve Cunningham
Juan Heraldez vs Jose Miguel Borrego
Savannah Marshall vs Amy Coleman
Kevin Newman II vs Mark Anthony Hernandez
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/901518387297349632
What are the odds?
Mayweather is 1/4 on with most bookmakers. So, a £10 bet on the American to win would earn you £2.50 and your £10 stake back. McGregor is 3/1.
Most of the money appears to be going on a McGregor upset win.
https://twitter.com/DavidPurdum/status/899724103803953152
What are the fighters' records?
Mayweather is undefeated in his 49 professional bouts, 26 by KO. The 40-year-old will surpass the great Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record with a victory on Saturday. This is Mayweather's first fight since he retired from boxing in 2015.
It is also McGregor's first professional boxing match. The 29-year-old has 21 wins in his 24 MMA bouts, 18 by KO. He is the UFC lightweight champion, and was the first to hold two UFC titles at the same time, before he was stripped of his UFC featherweight title.
