Floyd Mayweather Jr Will Face Tenshin Nasukawa On New Year’s Eve In Japan
An undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr (50-0) will fight in Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation! Mayweather became world-wide known for the $100 million fight versus UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Despite “Money” recently accepted Khabib Nurmagomedov’s boxing match callout, ” The Eagle” will have to step in line.
The Japanese promotion officially announced the information on Monday morning press conference. “Money’s” opponent is going to be Tenshin Nasukawa. The two will fight at RIZIN FF 14 on December 31, 2018, in Saitama, Japan.
Tenshin Nasukawa (27-0, 20 KOs) is an undefeated kickboxer. He is one of the most talented Japanese fighters. Nasukawa defeated Yusaku Nakamura at RIZIN FF 10 on May 6, 2018, via second-round TKO. At Rizin FF 13, on September 30, 2018, he was better than the former Shootofighting champion Kyoji Horiguchi via unanimous decision.
Floyd Mayweather Jr said he would like to help RIZIN FF grow. “Money” also sees this as a great business opportunity. (via MMAMania.com)
”I want to continue to build my relationship with Money Team Tokyo,” he said. “I want to continue coming over here and bringing other fighters over here so my company can continue to grow and RIZIN can continue to grow. I would love to continue to work with RIZIN because RIZIN is an unbelievable company, and my company, we’ve been making some huge fights happen in the US, but we look forward to taking the Mayweather Promotions banner and the TMT banner worldwide. And if it takes working with a great guy like this, there’s no problem.”
“We put this together very quickly but with a great deal of professionalism,” said Brett Johnson of ONE Entertainment, who Mayweather said was key in putting the deal together. “And we look forward to keeping that going for the rest of our tenure together, however many years that may be.”
But Tenshin Nasukawa hopes he will be the first man to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“Nobody has defeated my opponent in the past, and I’d like to be the man who makes history,” Tenshin said. “My punch can change history, and I’ll show that to you so please stay tuned.”
When it comes to the weight class and rules, Ariel Helwani said nothing is officially known yet.
Regarding the rules and weight, Rizin chairman Nobuyuki Sakakibara said “we still have some more work ahead of us.” Everyone I’ve talked to said they’d be shocked if it’s MMA.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 5, 2018
But Floyd Mayweather Jr says this is “a special bout” for him. He also doesn’t pay too much attention to the weight class.
Mayweather calls this fight a “special bout” and that he’s not really worried about weight class.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 5, 2018
You can read the official press release here:
TENSHIN NASUKAWA TO FACE FLOYD MAYWEATHER AT RIZIN 14
Tenshin Nasukawa (27-0, KB) has become one of the most popular fighters in Japan, and perhaps the best combat sports prospect the country has ever seen. Between both MMA and kickboxing fights, Tenshin has fought over thirty times despite turning 20 just over two months ago. The current RISE Featherweight Champion, Tenshin began to make a name for himself with wins over the likes of Amnat Ruenroeng and Wanchalong PK Saenchai in the KNOCK OUT promotion out of Thailand.
Since those wins, Nasukawa has become a massive star under the RIZIN banner. Racking up four dominant mixed martial arts wins, defeating multiple men to be crowned the 2017 RIZIN KICK Tournament Champion, and most recently outpointing fellow superstar Kyoji Horiguchi in the biggest fight the Saitama Super Arena has ever seen. Tenshin has a rematch with Taiki Naito at RISE 129 later this month.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, BX) has a legitimate case as the best boxer of all time, and he has the record to back it up. After winning a Bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Mayweather turned pro and never looked back. Over the years he has solidified himself as the biggest fight in combat sports, earning the nickname “Money” in every sense of the word.
The legendary counter puncher has too many accolades to name. Mayweather holds numerous boxing titles under WBO, WBA, and WBC, to name a few. The five-division champion has defeated the likes of Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, and Andre Berto. He has also racked up wins in some of the most financially successful pay-per-view events of all time against Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao, and most recently, UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Despite being 41-years-old, “Money” has never slowed down. And he is slated to bring his talents to Japan for the first time ever to take on the incredible phenom known as “Teppen” Tenshin. Stay tuned for future news regarding the rules the bout will be contested under, as well as other match-ups for the card.
RIZIN 14 is scheduled for December 31, 2018, live from the famed Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
As much as we can see, this is the collision between experience and talent. Both fighters are undefeated, but Nasukawa is 21 years younger. Yet, it needn’t mean anything. What are your thoughts on the rules? Boxing, kickboxing, MMA? Also, how much money do you think RIZIN FF had to spend to make “Money” fight? Do you think Tenshin Nasukawa will be the first man to put Floyd Mayweather Jr to sleep?
