Conor McGregor signs deal for Floyd Mayweather fight

18 May 2017 - 15:42 By Reuters
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. is seen courtside during the game between the LA Clippers and the Sacramento Kings on March 26, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is seen courtside during the game between the LA Clippers and the Sacramento Kings on March 26, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Image: Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP

The long-rumoured bout between undefeated American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor is halfway to becoming a reality after the Irish signed a deal for the fight, it was announced on Wednesday night.

UFC President Dana White broke the news during a television interview for TNT following the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

"The McGregor side is done, I'm starting to work on the Mayweather side now," White said. "I've got one side done. If we can come to a deal (with Mayweather) the fight will happen."

  • Floyd 'Money' Mayweather quashes rumors of McGregor fightFloyd Mayweather has shot down rumors of a deal to fight martial arts star Conor McGregor, insisting he is content to remain retired. 

McGregor confirmed the deal in a statement released to Themaclife.com.

"The first, and most important part of this historic contract has now officially been signed off on.

"Congratulations to all parties involved. We now await Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days," the statement read.

Terms of the deal were not announced.

  • Pacquiao says Mayweather rematch still a possibilityFilipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao has left the door open on the possibility of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather if the American ever comes out of retirement. 

McGregor, 28, is the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC’s mixed martial arts while the 40-year-old Mayweather retired in 2015 with a 49-0 record.

The two sides have been exchanging verbal spats and challenges for several months.

The proposed bout would be straight boxing match.

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