Floyd Mayweather knocks out MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura as Japanese fans blast politician’s ‘shameful’ act of throwing flowers at his feet
- American legend hands Asakura his first KO loss in exhibition boxing bout at Super Rizin card in Saitama, in front of watching Manny Pacquiao
- But fans slam ‘disgraceful’ Takushi Okuno on social media after leader of Burdock political party ‘disrespects’ Mayweather in pre-fight ritual
Floyd Mayweather handed Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura the first knockout loss of his career at the Super Rizin event in Saitama on Sunday afternoon – after a local politician caused a storm by “disrespecting” him before the fight.
The undefeated American legend, 45, caught Asakura – who has a 16-3 record in MMA – with a right hand just before the end of the second round of their catchweight exhibition boxing bout.
“Money” – who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with a 50-0 record after stopping UFC icon Conor McGregor in Las Vegas – weathered some early offence from his 30-year-old opponent at Saitama Super Arena.
Asakura continued to land some big shots in the second round before getting dropped by Mayweather soon before the bell.
The referee gave him a chance to get to his feet, but he could not answer the 10 count and the fight was waived off.
Mayweather has put on a series of exhibition bouts since coming out of retirement and beating featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at Rizin’s 2018 New Year’s Eve card.
He will next face YouTuber Deji, 25, in Dubai in November.
Before the fight, politician Takushi Okuno – the leader of the Burdock Party, a small political party that failed to win a single seat in Japan’s 2022 Upper House – caused a stir on social media.
Acting a guest presenter, Okuno threw an extravagant bouquet of flowers at Mayweather’s feet inside the ring, instead of placing them in his outstretched hands.
It was an act perceived as “disrespectful” by Japanese fight fans on Twitter, many of whom apologised to the American.
“The most shameful act in the world” wrote one fan on Twitter. “He is the shame of Japan,” said another.
Others wrote “sorry to all of the American boxing community, and Floyd Mayweather Jnr”, “I am ashamed there are Japanese people like this”, and “most Japanese are angry with his rude behaviour”.
“Although he is a Japanese politician, he does not know Japanese etiquette,” said another.
“As a Japanese, I am embarrassed. He will be hated from now on,” read another comment.
Despite the controversy, Mayweather thanked the fans and said he would be back in Japan again soon, pointing out his great rival Manny Pacquiao at ringside.
“I would like to thank the whole country of Japan. Unbelievable country, unbelievable people,” Mayweather said during a post-fight interview in the ring.
“An exciting, crazy turnout, round of applause for this tough competitor.
“Another legend right here, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Great champion. Unbelievable world champion.”
The 43-year-old legend Pacquiao, who retired last year but failed in his bid to become president of the Philippines, then entered the ring and embraced Mayweather, fuelling speculation the two could book a rematch following their 2015 “Fight of the Century”.
Earlier on Sunday, Mayweather’s bodyguard Jizzy Mack from “The Money Team” – which was a co-promoter of the special event preceding the evening’s Rizin 38 card – was knocked out by Kouzi in their opening weight boxing bout.
