Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard; all are heroic, brave men that stepped into the ring for the love of boxing. These names resonate in the ears of people all over the world. Today, there are two names left that stand as tall as those giants once did: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

The two went toe-to-toe in 2015, billed as “the fight of the century,” producing what is known as one of the most underwhelming and profitable fights in the history of world boxing. SBNation reported the fight reached a total of $500 million in revenue, with Mayweather receiving in between $220-230 million, an eye-popping number for an uneventful, reserved victory that left fans disappointed.

“The fight of the century” earned enough for Mayweather to hang up the gloves. Holding the unified welterweight title belt from the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Organization, he decided to walk away from the sport soon after, causing the boxing world to stand still.

On the other side of the combat spectrum, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been drawing new fans, producing pay-per-view numbers and conjuring up big names in the fight world since Mayweather’s early retirement. The biggest name? Conor McGregor.

Starting as a plumber in Ireland, McGregor recently became the first UFC fighter to hold the title of two weight classes at once, featherweight and lightweight, an unprecedented feat in the Mixed Martial Arts world.

McGregor’s only loss in the UFC, to arch rival Nate Diaz last Spring, was righted that August in one of the most highly anticipated fights in the sport’s history. It was later called “the fight of the year” by mmafighting.com, and proved to be history as it broke UFC pay-per-view records.

However, the fight only generated an estimated $10 million in revenue. McGregor made $3 million in guaranteed money, but was also awarded a $50 thousand bonus for the victory. He recently stepped away from the sport due to his long time girlfriend’s pregnancy. In the meantime, McGregor attained a boxing license in California, which is when the madness occurred.

Both fighters, both promoters with larger-than-life personalities, both businessmen; its time for the real fight of the century.

McGregor wants it, the fans want it, the media wants it and the UFC wants it. McGregor v. Mayweather, the two biggest names in their respective sports going to battle on what would be the biggest stage in the world.

Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, recently made Floyd Mayweather an official offer of a $25 million split between the two champions with open negotiation for pay-per-view shares. Mayweather took White’s offer as an insult, which is fair. The man made approximately $200 million dollars on one fight, so why would he take an eighth of that to come out of retirement?

The answer is because his sport needs it. Right now, the hottest topic in the boxing realm is a potential fight between rapper Soulja Boy and hip-hop and R&B artist Chris Brown. It’s sad.

The UFC doesn’t need this fight. They were recently purchased for $4 billion by entertainment and media powerhouse William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC. They have regularly scheduled fights on the Fox Sports Network and receive constant ESPN coverage, while premium boxing is still stuck in outdated contracts with channels like HBO and Showtime.

Upon rumors of a fight, Vegas opened up the odds with Mayweather, the huge favorite, at -2250. For those who don’t bet, that is the equivalent of the sun rising tomorrow.

Mayweather needs to accept an offer that is only slightly more generous, as an ambassador and talisman of boxing, not for self pride, not for cash, but for the long tenured-fans yearning for another spark to ignite the sport they love.