Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fight confirmed for August 27 in Las Vegas

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will fight in Las Vegas on August 27 [NZT].

The boxing legend confirmed the fight with a post on social media.

The brash Irishman hilariously posted a photo of himself and Mayweather's father, Floyd Sr minutes before the official announcement.

The ultimate money fight and crossover boxing match between undefeated star Mayweather and UFC champion McGregor has been in the works for over a year but is now a reality.

Unbeaten in 49 bouts before his retirement in September 2015, 40-year-old Mayweather confirmed the fight will take place under normal boxing rules despite 28-year-old McGregor having never boxed either amateur or professionally.

Mayweather is widely regarded as one of the best defensive fighters of all time, and prides himself on his ability to evade punishment with his skilful movement about the ring while making adjustments against opponents on the fly.

McGregor, the UFC's reigning lightweight champion and former featherweight champion, is known as much for his bravado as for his explosive knockout power inside an MMA octagon.

The Irishman became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in New York last November for the lightweight championship.

The UFC stripped McGregor of his featherweight belt shortly after that fight when he announced he would be taking some time off after he and long-time partner Dee Devlin had their first baby in May.

Known for his devastating striking and highlight-reel knockouts, McGregor is also quick and irrational on his feet, but few would back him to beat one of the most complete boxers of all time.

UFC president Dana White told ESPN: "We've been in negotiations now for a while and to be honest the negotiation went smooth. We got the thing done.

"The impossible deal is now done."

White said the fight would be at 154lbs - light middleweight - and added: "It'll be in a ring, it's a boxing event.

"I talked to Conor McGregor this morning. He is absolutely 100 per cent positive that he wins this fight and I stopped doubting Conor McGregor a long time ago.

"Floyd Mayweather is 40 years old, he's always had problems with southpaws. Conor McGregor is 27 and he is a southpaw. Whenever Conor hits people, they fall.

"I'm not saying Conor McGregor's going to win. I'm not saying Floyd Mayweather's going to win. But the reason Conor McGregor's as big as he is is he'll fight anybody, anywhere, anytime.

"He will go after Floyd Mayweather and he will try to knock him out."

The bout will take place at T-Mobile Arena and air on pay-per-view across the world.

Newshub.