Mayweather, boxing under his own promotional banner, is able to take the lion’s share of any payday - note that he made a guaranteed $41.5m in 2013 against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who settled for a guaranteed $5m despite his status as one of the most popular boxers transcending America and Mexico. The American waited six years to eventually face Pacquiao so testing his patience is a no-win situation, particularly aged 39 and as his hiatus from the ring becomes longer and longer. It was an offer that doesn’t come close to matching Mayweather’s previous paydays but acted as a clear indication that this fantasy fight can only happen if the UFC are heavily involved in a deal. White also confirmed there have been no more negotiations since his $25m offer to Mayweather to fight McGregor fell on deaf ears. The plot thickens - over the weekend, McGregor lashed out at the UFC in an expletive-laden social media post prompting White to publicly state: “If he wants to go down that road with us, it will be an epic fall.” White and Mayweather, two mainstays in the fight capital of the world, have crossed swords in the past but would be forced into business together. Mayweather, sitting pretty in a mansion across town, has nobody that he is contractually obligated to.

Whether McGregor likes to admit it or not, White is his promoter, signs the cheques, and is his boss. The elephant in the room is a third braggadocio don of the Las Vegas scene - Dana White, the president of the UFC.

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