FLOYD MAYWEATHER knocked out Mikuru Asakura in two rounds of their exhibition bout – in front of old rival Manny Pacquiao.
Filipino icon PacMan travelled to Japan for a ringside view of the scheduled three-rounder.
Asakura even landed a perfect counter right hook, which snapped Mayweather’s head back in the second round.
But that actually proved to be the beginning of the end as the 50-0 boxing icon poured on the pressure.
Asakura had no defence for a barrage of right hands coming his way and he was eventually floored just as the bell sounded
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I’ll be Pac
Floyd Mayweather confirmed he will fight in Japan again – amid talk of a rematch with Manny Pacquaio.
The boxing legend, who doubled his tally of exhibition wins in Japan, then revealed plans to return in the Far East again.
He said: “I’m happy that we were able to give fans excitement tonight. Thanks for having me. I will be back.”
Pacquiao entered the ring to embrace Mayweather and then hinted that he could fight in Japan himself.
He said: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I witnessed a good exhibition and good promotion with RIZIN.
“Thank you for the chance and I hope this is not the last one.”
Credit: Rex Oh Mann
Manny Pacquiao has teased a fight in Japan himself after watching old rival Floyd Mayweather do the business.
He said: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I witnessed a good exhibition and good promotion with RIZIN.
“Thank you for the chance and I hope this is not the last one.”
Credit: AFP ‘I’ll be back’
Floyd Mayweather is set to face YouTuber Deji next in Dubai in November.
But Mayweather warned he will be back in the Far East soon.
He said: “Thanks for having me, I’ll be back.”
Credit: AFP
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao come together and embrace in the ring.
Mayweather also adds that he will return to fight in Japan again.
Could it be a rematch with old rival PacMan?
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
He adds: “Round of applause to my team, I want to thank you guys. Another unbelievable experience.
“Another legend right here, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Great champion. Unbelievable world champion.
“I’m just happy to be here, thanks again.”
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
Mayweather says: “I would like to thank the whole country of Japan. Unbelievable country, unbelievable people.
“An exciting, crazy turnout, round of applause for this tough competitor.”
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
THE FIGHT IS OVER!
The experienced referee Kenny Bayless has called a halt to the action after Mikuru Asakura was floored right at the end of round two.
Floyd Mayweather emerged victorious in two rounds in Japan.
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
Round 2 – Action packed round! Mayweather lands a series of right hands to the head and body.
Mayweather was pouring on the pressure but took a couple of shots himself, with his head being pushed back.
But right on the bell Mayweather FLOORS Asakura with a big right hand and leaves the Japanese star shaken.
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura
Round 1 – Confident start from Asakura, who landed a couple of nice body shots.
Mayweather also evaded some wild left hands and came into it towards the end of the round.
He landed a few straight right hands to the body and followed up to the head, but nothing too troubling.
Here we go
The national anthems are completed, now it’s time to fight.
Floyd Mayweather returns in his fourth boxing exhibition against MMA star Mikuru Asakura.
The bout is scheduled for three rounds.
Tale of The Tape
Here is how the two compare with the bout moments away.
Mayweather is the shorter fighter at 5’8 compared to 5’9 Asakura, but he does have a 2in reach advantage.
The national anthems are being played in the ring right now ahead of the first bell.
Floyd makes his entrance
Floyd Mayweather makes his walk to the ring, dressed in 50-0 attire.
He is joined by P-Reala, the co-creator of The Money Team and his trainer Gerald Tucker.
We’re moments away from the return on Mayweather.
Here comes Asakura
The Japanese star has made his way to the ring and is ready to go.
Floyd Mayweather will shortly follow, three years after his last exhibition in Japan.
That night in Tokyo, Tenshin Nasukawa was dropped three times and stopped in one round.
Oh Mann
Manny Pacquiao is in Japan to support Mikuru Asakura against old rival Floyd Mayweather.
PacMan, beaten by Mayweather in 2015, took a seat ringside to watch the exhibition bout.
And at a pre-fight press conference, the famed boxing rivals teased a rematch.
Warming up
Floyd Mayweather is preparing backstage with coach Gerald Tucker.
The pair were firing off combinations as Mayweather warms up for his latest exhibition bout.
Tucker cornered the American legend against Logan Paul and Don Moore.
Wrapped and ready
Floyd Mayweather seen getting his hands wrapped ahead of the exhibition.
This will be the American’s fourth since retiring professionally in 2017 after beating Conor McGregor.
He faces Mikuru Asakura next over three rounds in Japan.
Sad to see
Floyd Mayweather’s bodyguard was beaten on the boxing legend’s undercard by an opponent FIVE STONE lighter.
Security man Ray “Jizzy Mack” Sadeghi faced Koji “Kouzi” Tanaka in an open-weight stand-up bout.
That is despite Sadeghi usually weighing over 14 stone, while Kouzi campaigns at 9st 9lb, meaning he is giving away almost FIVE STONE.
Although, Tanaka amazingly KOd Sadeghi in round three with an excellent left hook.
Con job
Tonight will be Floyd Mayweather’s fourth exhibition since retiring professionally in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Mayweather has faced featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, Logan Paul, 27, and ex-sparring partner Don Moore.
But he could return for the first time to defend his historic 50-0 record amid talks for a rematch with McGregor.
He said: “Yes, it came to my attention. They talked about it being in Vegas, at the Allegiant Stadium.
“They talked about it being at the Allegiant Stadium. But if I’m not mistaken, Conor still has a problems with his leg.
“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen in 2023, not 2022.
“So this year I got an exhibition this Saturday, which will be in the US and once again it’s Sunday in Japan.
“Then after that in November I’ve got another exhibition in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena.
“And then hopefully me and Conor McGregor can lock up again in 2023, in a real fight actually.”
Credit: Rex Features Dej serious
Floyd Mayweather CONFIRMED he will fight YouTuber Deji in a shock exhibition bout in Dubai – before eyeing a rematch with Conor McGregor
The boxing legend has spoken out for the first time since it emerged he was in talks with Deji, brother of social media sensation KSI.
Now, Mayweather has revealed he WILL face Deji in the Middle East, set for November 13 after returning tonight.
He told TMZ Sports: “This Saturday – which in Japan – will be Sunday, I have an exhibition against a helluva fighter from Japan.
“I think he’s big in UFC and big on YouTube, so in the US, that will be Saturday but Japan it will be Sunday.
“And then I got one with the guy Deji – I want to make sure that his name is right – Deji, right?
“Yes, Deji. We will be doing an exhibition in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and that is in November.”
Credit: Misfits Boxing Taking the Mik
Mikuru Asakura is the MMA and YouTube star selected as Floyd Mayweather’s next exhibition opponent.
The southpaw has 16 wins, three losses and one no-contest in MMA.
He has two victories on the spin, most recently in December against Yutaka Saito, 34, who was the first man to ever beat Asakura in RIZIN.
But away from the ring, he is a popular YouTuber, with almost 3 MILLION subscribers.
Asakura mixes training videos with daily vlogs and even pranks and unsurprisingly has documented the lead up to his fight with Mayweather.
Like the boxing icon, Asakura also has a love for cars, posing alongside a Bentley and Mercedes on his Instagram.
The former MMA champion is joined in the sport by his younger brother Kai, 28, arguably the bigger name in the Far East.
Kai even posed with Mayweather and RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara in May, fuelling rumours of a future fight.
But it is brother Mikuru who faces the self-proclaimed Best Ever, and vows to pull of the upset.
Go with the Flo
Floyd Mayweather has lived up to his “Money” nickname even into retirement.
The boxing legend officially hung up his gloves as a professional in 2017 after beating UFC legend Conor McGregor, 34, in a farewell fight.
However, it’s turned out that that money-spinning night in Las Vegas was not the final time fans got to see Mayweather, 45, in the ring.
And they will not have to wait long to see another boxing cameo from the American, who faces MMA star Mikuru Asakura, 30, tonight.
He faces Asakura over three rounds at the Saitama Super Arena, again promoted by RIZIN.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
