It is shaping up to surpass the previous financial record for a single bout, when $750 million flowed into boxing circles for the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao encounter.
Part of the reason for the huge global interest in the fight is that Conor McGregor is stepping into the boxing ring for the first time.
The Irishman is the biggest star of Ultimate Fighting Championship and he is looking to prove the sport's popularity is built on more than blood and guts.
If he can upset the favourite Mayweather, he says he is prepared to consider a career in both boxing and UFC.
"I will most certainly be looking to compete in both sports. I was joking, but I was actually thinking about it. Maybe, going forward, since I'm the king of the boxing ring and the king of the octagon already, well then, maybe, when I've conquered both, maybe I might just create my own hybrid of an octagon and a boxing ring or something."
Mayweather has not emitted his usual sense of calm self-confidence ahead of the fight, perhaps because McGregor is an unknown quantity as a boxer.
But he still managed to remind McGregor it will not be easy stepping into the ring with him in Las Vegas.
"He's going to bring his best. It's not going to be easy, Conor, it's not going to be easy. Remember, Pacquiao got bombs, Canelo (Alvarez) got bombs, Shane Mosley had bombs, and all those guys are going in the Hall of Fame. But one thing about me, I got a granite chin. But remember this, the same way you give it, you have to be able to take it. Remember this."
Bookmakers suggest Mayweather will win comfortably, but the 40 year-old boxer from the United States has not fought for two years.
Paul Upham, one of Australia's best-known boxing commentators, acknowledges, if an upset happens, it would be a huge blow for boxing and a huge boost for UFC.
"People are going to say that's the end of boxing. People are going to say that UFC is the dominant sport. And it's going to have a real black eye for boxing if Mayweather were to lose. So, he's not only fighting for himself, he's fighting for the sport."
The fight undercard starts at 11am on Sunday, with the main fight expected around 2 or 3pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Elsewhere, Australia is looking to restore some pride against New Zealand in the second Bledisloe Cup rugby match in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made three changes from the side humbled last weekend in Sydney.
Lock Rob Simmons is a shock starter for the must-win clash.
Tevita Kuridrani and Dane Haylett-Petty also come into the side.
Cheika says he is putting his faith in Simmons, recently released by the Queensland Reds.
"(It will be) a new step forward for him around his Super Rugby career. And I think it's time that he puts a marker down for his international career as well in dominating that lock position."
The finals for the top eight in both the National Rugby League and AFL will be known after this weekend's fixtures.
One club that cannot make the AFL finals is Collingwood, where coach Nathan Buckley says he will do all he can to remain at the club next season.
With the powerhouse side languishing in 13th on the AFL ladder, Buckley says he does not know if this week's game against Melbourne will be his last after six years in the job.
"Personally and professionally, in my role, I've been really focused on the next game. And next week is probably where there'll be stronger conversations about what the future of the club looks like, where I fit in it."
The big match in Rugby League is on Saturday night, when the third-placed Cronulla Sharks face the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters.
In cricket, Australia takes on Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday in the first test.
In the English Premier League, there is a chance to see Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy in action when his side, Huddersfield, takes on Southampton on Saturday night.
SBS's coverage begins from 11.30 pm AEST.
And on Sunday, there is a taste of gridiron in Sydney.
The US college season kicks off with a match at the Football Stadium between Stanford University and Rice University.
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