The Internet exploded on Wednesday, after Floyd Mayweather Jr. confirmed that he's coming out of retirement to face UFC star Conor McGregor in a boxing match on Aug. 26.

Mayweather, who retired in September 2015 after winning all 49 of his pro fights, will face a mixed martial arts fighter who has never been in a scheduled 12-round fight in Las Vegas. The fight that will take place in a boxing ring and be governed by boxing rules.

Mayweather will fight at the relatively advanced age of 41 in a bout that McGregor has been pushing for months. It finally came together over the last few days, and Nevada boxing officials on Wednesday approved the date for a Mayweather Promotions event.

Though oddsmakers have made Mayweather a heavy favourite, the thought of the fight has excited many in the MMA world. It has also intrigued some in boxing, though most dismiss McGregor's chances under boxing rules against one of the greatest defensive fighters in history.

Even if the actual bout may not shape up as a great matchup, the run-up to the fight will. Both fighters are noted for their ability to sell their fights, and both have exchanged in trash talking and more to promote their bouts. The fight will be televised on pay-per-view on Showtime.

Bookies are anticipating over 100 million could be bet across the globe.

William Hill make Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather their 1/12 favourite (Bet $12 to make a $1 profit) – with Conor ‘ The Notorious’ McGregor a 6/1 outsider. McGregor is rated a 7/1 shot to KO Mayweather, while the unbeaten boxer is rated a 6/5 chance to win on points.
                                                                                                                                                                                
Some pundits believe Mayweather will finish McGregor early and the bookies are offering odds of 33/1 for him to win in the opening round.

“Most pundits believe the fight won’t be competitive, but that’s not going to stop millions of people across the world tuning in - and also having a bet on the fight, said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny

“Mayweather is a massive favourite, but we’ve already seen a lot of bets on McGregor landing one of his ‘Notorious’ left hands and winning by KO.”

WILLIAM HILL ODDS

Latest fight odds: (William Hill) 1/12 Floyd Mayweather, 6/1 Conor McGregor, 25/1 Draw

Method of victory: 10/11 Mayweather by KO, TKO or DQ, 6/5 Mayweather on points, 7/1 McGregor by KO, TKO or DQ, 33/1 McGregor on points, 25/1 Draw