"McGregor is a tough competitor. People all around the world demanded this fight so I had to give them what they wanted to see," Mayweather told BSOTV in an interview that aired Saturday. 

"They asked for this fight. I was in retirement, but they wanted me back and I'm back."

Mayweather was making his first public comments since Wednesday's announcement of the much-discussed fight which will take place August 26 in the US boxing capital of Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old Mayweather has been retired since beating Andre Berto in September 2015 and improving his career record to 49-0.

The matchup with McGregor gives Mayweather a chance to reach the 50-0 career milestone.

Asked about financial details of the fight, Mayweather said both sides are pleased.

"Both parties are very happy," Mayweather said. "He's very happy, I'm very happy and I can't wait."

But many boxing experts have slammed the event as an exhibition spectacle, pointing to the fact that the 28-year-old McGregor has never had a professional boxing match and only dabbled in the sport as a teenager.

The pair have yet to get together face-to-face since the announcement but they are expected to announce a promotional tour soon that will take them to a couple of major US cities. 

"You're supposed to stand behind your man. Stand behind the fighter that you believe in," Mayweather said about McGregor's supporters. "He's a hell of a competitor."

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