Floyd Mayweather has knocked down Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa three times en route to a first-round stoppage in their boxing exhibition at the Saitama Super Arena.
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Floyd Mayweather defeats Japan’s Nasukawa in 139 seconds, earns $9 million in the process
Mayweather earned $9 million in the process...
Floyd Mayweather defeats Japan’s Tenshin Nasukawa in 139 seconds
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Mayweather, 41, a former five-weight world champion who retired from boxing with a perfect professional record of 50-0 last year, saw off an opponent 21 years his junior early Tuesday morning (AEDT).
In a bout that was scheduled for three rounds just outside Tokyo, Nasukawa lasted only two minutes and 20 seconds before his corner threw in the towel. Mayweather said in the build-up he expected to pocket $US9 million ($A13 million) from the fight, which headlined an event organised by Rizin Fighting Federation, a Japanese mixed martial arts organisation.
Mayweather had a 4kg weight advantage over Nasukawa, who boasted an unbeaten record in 28 kickboxing bouts and four contests in MMA, with this fight having no bearing on either man’s official record.
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Nasukawa, though, reportedly faced a multimillion-dollar fine if he attempted to kick out at Mayweather.
A grinning Mayweather started supremely confidently and dropped Nasukawa for the first time with a left hook with barely a minute gone.
A body shot followed by an uppercut saw Nasukawa slump to the canvas again moments later, with the southpaw bravely getting to his feet, albeit on unsteady legs.
A one-two from Mayweather precipitated the end of the contest, and the American said in quotes published by BBC Sport:
“It was all about entertainment - we had a lot of fun. They wanted this to happen in Japan, so I said ‘why not?’”
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“I’m still undefeated. Tenshin is still undefeated. Tenshin is a true champion and a hell of a fighter.
“I want the fans around the world to support Tenshin, he’s a great guy and a great champion.”
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