Floyd Mayweather announces Tenshin Nasukawa bout is BACK ON, reveals rules for RIZIN bout
FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR has claimed he will indeed lock horns with Tenshin Nasukawa.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. praises 'very strong' Tenshin Nasukawa
Earlier this month, it was announced that the boxing legend would take on the undefeated kickboxing and MMA phenom at RIZIN 14, the promotion’s New Year’s Eve card.
But a few days after his shock bout with 20-year-old Nasukawa was announced, Mayweather declared there was no agreement in place for him to take on ‘Teppen’.
And a little over a week after pumping the breaks on the fight, Mayweather has claimed he will face Japan’s biggest combat sports star.
Last night, he told TMZ: “We're gonna make it happen.”
After the fight was first announced, the ruleset for the contest quickly became the topic of intense discussion amongst combat sports fans, who wondered if Mayweather would really take part in a kickboxing match.
According to ‘Money’, the fight will be a three-round exhibition match, in which Nasukawa won’t be allowed to use his array of spectacular kicks.
"Rules? It's gonna be a little boxing exhibition. No kicking at all,” he said. ”I’m moving around with the guy for nine minutes.
“And of course it's gonna be the highest paid exhibition ever."
We're gonna make it happen.
Mayweather’s decision to pursue a fight with Nasukawa was seen by many to be a money-grab, a notion the 41-year-old has dismissed.
“It’s a no-brainer,” he said. “Just because I’m retired from boxing, I still make appearances worldwide and make a ton of money.”
He also said: "Just for promoting this event, I’ve made seven figures. Just me talking about the event… I’ve already made crazy money.”
Mayweather retired from boxing for the second time in August 2017 after registering a tenth-round TKO over former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who was one of the biggest critics of his fight with Nasukawa.
Tenshin Nasukawa displays IMPRESSIVE skills in boxing training
“Is it hot in Tokyo or what’s the story here? that climate change is no joke f*** me hahah,” McGregor wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of Mayweather and Nasukawa.
“What in the f*** is going on here? Who’s this little p**** next to you ? That’s mad s**t. Like something out of rush hour 5 or something.
“Chris Tucker and Jackie f*****g Chan back in this b****. F*****g brilliant.
“Mad little b*****d you are, Floyd. Fair f**** to you mate. No lie. F*** it.”