In front of a capacity crowd at a Saitama Stadium gala spectacle on New Year’s Eve – a date traditionally associated with combat sports events in Japan – Floyd Mayweather will be partaking in an exhibition against MMA prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa.
The welterweight bout, contested under the RIZIN promotional banner, will consist of three three-minute rounds under boxing rules and marks Mayweather’s first return to the ring since he announced his professional retirement last year, following a technical knockout victory over MMA superstar Conor McGregor in August 2017.
Nasukawa, meanwhile, has cultivated a reputation as a formidable and surgical striker from the southpaw stance, thanks to his exploits across MMA, Muay-Thai and kickboxing; where he currently reigns as the RISE featherweight champion, having previously attained numerous accolades in lower weight categories.
His fight against Mayweather, although a novelty evoking Muhammad Ali’s 1976 crossover clash with Antonio Inoki, will unquestionably garner a significant audience in the Far East as opposed to North America – where it is not being televised.
Nasukawa possesses an unbridled confidence in his ability to spring a surprise against Mayweather and claim a sensational victory on home soil.
“This is a great opportunity and we’re happy to take it,” Nasukawa told ESPN. “I’m going to put everything out there and show my strengths. I think that I’m the faster fighter. I’m going to use my weapons against him.”
Mayweather, on the other hand, is expected to collect an astronomical sum of money for his participation, as he endeavours to maintain his position as boxing’s “multi-million dollar man”, following former rival Canelo Alvarez’s lucrative deal with the DAZN network.
“I’m in the entertainment business,” the American was quoted as saying. “That’s what I go out there to do. I love to do this. I’m working out to put on a show for three rounds. I’m going to go out there, have fun and do what I do. I’m enjoying life and I’m going to enjoy this experience.”
Ultimately, none is really sure what exactly to expect from this event – the outcome of which will not be collated on either fighter’s record – but the sheer attention it has received proved that Mayweather’s drawing power, even in retirement, remains strong.
The prospect of a Manny Pacquiao rematch or even an audacious venture into mixed-martial-arts – something which Mayweather was previously eager to entertain – is unlikely to materialise, but it is almost certain that rumours will continue to persist regarding Mayweather’s next move, even if the 41 year-old has officially hung up his gloves.
Article by: Navi Singh
Follow Navi on Twitter at: @DarkMan________