Showtime exec: Mayweather-McGregor happens in 2017 or it won't happen ever

Plans for a megafight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will require the cooperation of several influential parties, and that includes Mayweather's partners at Showtime Sports.

Executive vice president Stephen Espinoza recently appeared on "Boxing with Chris Mannix" to provide an update on where the situation stands and he believes that UFC president Dana White is hesitant to let his biggest star dip his toes in the world of boxing.

And that hesitation could prove fatal to the bout's prospects.

"Do they, in fact, want it? Dana - speaking on behalf of, I assume, the UFC - is making noises that he's more open to it but talk is talk," Espinoza said, according to Jed Meshew of MMA Fighting. "I haven't seen a lot of progress either internally in the deal between the two of them or externally, the deal between that side and this side.

"It's largely at a standstill. There hasn't been a ton of progress and I think if they don't move relatively quickly, people may move on. People may tire of it. But it really is something that needs to happen this year or it probably won't happen. Floyd's on 18 months, two solid years come September since he's fought. He's still in great shape, but at a certain point, he's not gonna do it after a while."

If it's true that the UFC is dragging its feet on the deal, it's understandable given the fact that a massive boxing payday for McGregor would essentially price him out of the Octagon. Even a conservative estimate - say a $60-million purse for McGregor - would see "The Notorious" make around three times more than he has for any of his UFC appearances.

"I think part of the fear on the UFC's side is that they'll never see Conor again," Espinoza said. "If he makes 50, 60, 70 and then you never see him in the ring and he retires in Ireland and so much for their megastar."