• UFC champion has concluded his side of negotiations for boxing-ring contest • Meeting of multi-division champions has been speculated about for months

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor claims he has agreed a deal to fight Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring.

McGregor, who currently holds the UFC lightweight title, has concluded his side of the negotiation process and hopes Mayweather will sign the deal “in the coming days” after months of speculation linking the two multi-division champions first came to prominence in May of last year.

In a statement issued to TheMacLife.com, the Irishman said: “It is an honour to sign this record breaking deal alongside my partners Zuffa LLC, The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paradigm Sports Management.

“The first, and most important, part of this historic contract has now officially been signed off on. Congratulations to all parties involved. We now await Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days.”

Mayweather retired from boxing in September 2015 after equalling Rocky Marciano’s unbeaten record of 49-0 following a unanimous decision victory over Andre Berto, and has been involved in a war of words with McGregor on social media since retirement.

Mayweather has refused to respond to McGregor’s claim that a fight between the pair is close to being agreed. He was asked about the development while accompanying his protege Gervonta Davis in London, where on Saturday he makes the first defence of his IBF super-featherweight title against Liam Walsh.

“This is Liam Walsh and Gervonta Davis’ press conference. Let’s focus on these two competitors,” said Mayweather. “That’s total disrespect to both of these fighters, it’s their press conference, let’s talk about them. Both of these fighters deserve respect.”

On Wednesday, the UFC president Dana White revealed on TNT’s live NBA play-off game broadcast that negotiations with McGregor had been completed ahead of what would likely prove a popular fight.

“The McGregor side is done,” White told TNT. “I’m starting to work on the Mayweather side now.

“I’m not saying the fight will happen, but I’ve got one side done: now it’s time to work on the other. If we can come to a deal with Haymon and Mayweather, the fight’s going to happen.”

Mayweather, 40, last fought in September 2015 when he outpointed Andre Berto.