By Edward Chaykovsky

Former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0, 26 KOs) is promising to return to the ring - but only if a deal is finalized with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. The two celeb-athletes have been talking up the possibility of fighting each other in countless interviews conducted in the last year.

McGregor, who is under an exclusive contract with the UFC, claims that he's capable of getting around that agreement to take part in a boxing match with Mayweather. UFC President Dana White has stated in several interviews that McGregor is unable to fight Mayweather - or anyone else - without the involvement of the UFC.

"Nobody is my boss. I know Floyd likes to say Dana [White] is my boss and this and he decides. Hell no. Nobody decides this. If they let people go fight jiu-jitsu tournaments, they can’t stop me going to fight a boxing fight. So obviously it’s smoother to do it all together, but look, everyone’s just got to know their place, and everyone does know their place.” MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. 

Mayweather retired in September 2015, after winning a twelve round decision over Andre Berto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

He believes a fight with McGregor will actually happen, but not sure of when or where the fight will take place.

"Most likely the fight between me and Conor McGregor will happen," Mayweather told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.

"I don't know (when it will be), I need to communicate with my team, the fight hasn't been made yet, but it is all about entertainment so hopefully we can make it happen."

If McGregor, for legal reasons that are connected to his UFC contract, is unable to fight in the near future - Mayweather would not consider any alternative options - like a rematch with Manny Pacquiao or the winner of the upcoming unification between Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.

"[McGregor is] the only fight that will get me back in the ring. He's going to do a job on his side and we are going to do a job on my side and hopefully all the fans in the UK come over and support me," Mayweather said.