The eyes of the world fall on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night when Floyd "Money" Mayweather steps out of retirement to defend a 49-0 win loss record against mixed martials arts fighter Conor McGregor.

It promises to be the richest fight in boxing history, with "Money's" share of the purse forecast at £180million, eclipsing the previous record £140m he bagged for taking on Manny Pacquiao in 2015. 

But it's also one of the most derided match-ups in boxing history with the customary pre-bout trash talk denounced for spouting homophobia and racism amidst fears of a record pay-per view audience tuning into to witness a monumental mismatch.

For whilst Pacquiao was regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in his prime, McGregor is very much an unknown quantity in the ring.

At 29, the Irishman is 11 years younger than Mayweather but it's questionable how much of an advantage this will be, given that he has never entered a boxing ring in a professional capacity before.

The UFC lightweight champion is seen as having no more than a puncher's chance against Mayweather, a five-division world champion. And that chance is a pretty slim one going by the Pacquaio bout, when Mayweather employed his revered defensive skills to devastating effect as a frustrated Pacquiao landed just 81 punches, according to Compubox.

It's a view shared by the bookmakers, who make Mayweather the heavy favourite as he seeks to move ahead of former heavyweight great Rocky Marciano, who also retired with a perfect 49-0 record.

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye concurs.

"My prediction is Mayweather Jr to stop Conor McGregor in six rounds possibly on his feet," Haye told Betfair, as per The Mirror.

The odds appear heavily stacked in Mayweather's corner, with the fight held under boxing rules, precluding the Irishman from using the leg-kicks and takedowns he turns to in the octagon.

"I don’t think it will take long. McGregor is used to getting taken down and he’s used to people kicking him, so his defensive mode won’t be that of a boxer" adds Haye.

"I believe if Mayweather Jr puts a cluster of punches together he will stop McGregor on his feet in a pretty comfortable manner."