US boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jnr sent undefeated Japanese kick-boxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa to the canvas three times on his way to a comprehensive victory in an exhibition New Year’s Eve multimillion-dollar rumble outside Tokyo held under boxing rules on Monday night.
Mayweather toyed with the 20-year-old despite being twice his age, flooring him almost at will before the Japanese camp threw in the towel less than three minutes into the first round.
Mayweather showed he’s still a brilliant boxer, clocking Nasukawa with a left hook that rocked the Japanese fighter. Nasukawa was left crying after losing the fight and had to be helped out of the stadium as 41-year-old Mayweather celebrated his latest victory.
Despite showing his class and winning without really having to turn it on in a complete mismatch, Mayweather said he was still retired and had come to Tokyo to “entertain”. “It was all about entertaining,” said Mayweather.
“It was all fun. Thank God for this event, for my team ... Tokyo is amazing. It won’t go on my record. I’m still undefeated. I’m still retired,” said the American, who is 50-0-0. “I just did this for entertainment.”
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The world welterweight champion was paid a whopping US$9 million for less than three minutes in the ring but still saluted his Japanese opponent for “being a real champion”.
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“He’s still a true champion. He’s a hell of a fighter. He’s a real champion,” said the American of Nasukawa, who is nicknamed “Ninja Boy”.
Mayweather said he could have completed three rounds in his sleep. He was right. He could have won in his sleep.