It ran and ran, and at one point seemed unlikely to happen, but now it’s official: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is ON.

The fight, announced first via social media on Tuesday (June 15), will take place at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on Saturday, August 26.

McGregor, the mixed martial artist, opens as a +700 underdog on the 5Dimes online sports book, while Mayweather, the boxer, is a –1100 favourite. The fight, we’re told, will take place at a weight of 154-pounds, otherwise known as boxing’s light-middleweight limit.

UFC president Dana White, speaking to ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday, said: “He is absolutely 100 percent positive he wins this fight. I stopped doubting Conor McGregor a long time ago.

“Negotiations went smooth. Floyd is surrounded by some smart people and we got this thing done. The impossible deal is now done.

“This is a fight the fans demanded. The fans wanted to see this fight. It’s the most talked about fight on the planet right now. And it will be the biggest fight ever in the history of two people punching each other. They can be as disgusted as they want. It’s what people wanted to see.”

Whether called for by the fans or not, there can be no doubting the interest levels, nor the fact everyone – whether for or against it – will be eagerly watching the spectacle unfold come August 26.