FLOYD MAYWEATHER has been offered a shock fight against Nate Diaz in Japan with talks set to start.
Mayweather has boxed in two exhibitions in the Far East with MMA promotion RIZIN.
Meanwhile, Diaz, younger brother to Nick, is now a free agent after leaving the UFC following the final bout on his UFC deal.
Mayweather has confirmed he will fight in Japan again and RIZIN CEO Noboyuki Sakakibara is ready to branch out for his next opponent.
Sakakibara told MMA Mania: “We had Nick fight in PRIDE before and we’ve known them from way back.
“So, if we were to do something with Floyd again, we always have to talk about an opponent.
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“We do think we’re at a point where we can’t just only focus on the Japanese market anymore.
“We have to target the international audience. So, with that said, Floyd’s opponent doesn’t have to be a Japanese fighter anymore.
“It’s just one possibility thinking about the future. Not only Floyd’s opponent, but Nate Diaz as an individual has a great amount of character, fight style, and a great following internationally.
“So, as an individual, he would definitely be somebody we’d be interested to be talking to.”
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Mayweather, 45, officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34.
But he has boxed in four exhibitions since, most recently against MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30, which he won in two rounds in September.
That came after facing featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, and ex-sparring partner Don Moore.
Mayweather is set to return next on November 13 in Dubai against social media personality Deji, 25.
And Diaz, 37, has hinted at a boxing switch having walked out on the UFC following victory over Tony Ferguson, 38, in September.
It would be interesting to start talking to Nate and bring up the idea to Floyd.
RIZIN CEO Noboyuki Sakakibara
Sakakibara added: “It’s always nice to show the Mayweather exhibition challenges and whatever we can do to exceed people’s expectations, that’s the goal in terms of announcing a fight.
“Whatever gathers attention, surprises people, is what we want to shoot for.
“With that said, it would be interesting to start talking to Nate and bring up the idea to Floyd.
“Nate Diaz might even have a chance of beating Floyd, you know?
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“And for us to promote that ‘what if’ factor is definitely something that we need to promote for these exhibitions against Floyd.
“Making the people think maybe, that “if” factor, Nate Diaz can bring all of that, so, we do think it’s a great idea.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
