+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Floyd Mayweather rolled back the years to score a quick KO against Manny Pacquiao's fighter Mikuru Asakura

Sep 28, 2022, 17:57 IST
Insider
Watch Floyd Mayweather highlights here.Photo by Getty Images
  • Floyd Mayweather returned to the Saitama ring in Japan for another exhibition this past weekend.
  • Mayweather's footwork, intuition, and speed of hand were a sight to see.
Advertisement

It's 2022 and Floyd Mayweather, 45, is still knocking people out.

The American athlete, one of boxing's greatest success stories, began his professional career months after winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

He won his first world title two years later. Then went on to win world championships in five weight classes, and became a must-see attraction at the box office thanks to mega fights — and wins — against Oscar de la Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, and Conor McGregor.

Though he retired in 2017 after finishing McGregor in the 10th round, Mayweather continues to earn significant paydays on the exhibition boxing circuit.

This weekend, Mayweather returned to Japan to move around with MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura.

Advertisement

The Rizin featherweight, who has competed in MMA for a decade, had Pacquiao's support throughout the promotion.

Manny Pacquiao waves to the crowd as he walks into the ring for the Mayweather vs. Asakura exhibition.Photo by Getty Images

Mayweather and Pacquiao verbally sparred in the build-up to the Rizin 38 event in Saitama — resulting in Mayweather warning the Filipino former fighter that he might get his "ass whooped" again if he wasn't careful.

Pacquiao was even ringside for the show.

But this wasn't about Pacquiao, this was about how Mayweather would look in his mid-40s against a Rizin star in his prime at 30 years old.

We're used to hearing Mayweather say that "all work is easy work," but he took that to a new level this week when he claimed he didn't even know his opponent's name.

Advertisement

"I actually have never seen my opponent compete as an MMA fighter, compete as a boxer," Mayweather told reporters at a pre-fight press conference.

"I don't know his weight class," added Mayweather. "I don't even know his name. And … I don't even know the rules. When I do these exhibitions, my opponents take it serious, but to me it's just a joke."

Mayweather romped to an easy win Sunday

Floyd Mayweather beat Mikuru Asakura with ease.Photo by Getty Images

Mayweather walked to the ring with a black robe that prominently displayed the numbers 50-0 — his flawless, unbeaten boxing record.

Mayweather's footwork, intuition, and speed of hand were a sight to see as he finished Asakura in round two.

He evaded Asakura's punchier shots, but when it was clear the Japanese fighter was increasing his pressure Mayweather responded in kind by throwing — and landing — crisp yet powerful punches of his own.

Advertisement

A buzzer-beating straight right hand felled Asakura moments before a break in the action and Mayweather hovered around his opponent while referee Kenny Bayless counted.

Asakura failed to return to his feet, and so Mayweather was awarded the exhibition win.

Watch ringside highlights right here:

Mayweather will earn $20 million for the six-minute beatdown, according to ESPN.

'I'll be back,' said Mayweather

Mayweather thanked the crowd after the result was announced. "I'll be back," he told the masses in attendance in Saitama, Japan.

Advertisement
Floyd Mayweather embraces Mikuru Asakura after beating him in round two.Photo by Getty Images

One person Mayweather won't be back against, though, is Pacquiao.

Despite their pre-event jawing, Mayweather told reporters at a post-fight media event that he is not looking to take on any fights for real.

"I retired from the sport, I didn't let the sport retire me," Mayweather said, in response to a question about a prospective Pacquiao rematch.

'Boxing retired Manny, Manny didn't retire from boxing,' according to Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather.Photo by Getty Images

"I'm not going to get in there with no former fighters, former world champions, putting any more abuse on my body.

"I retired for a reason," added Mayweather. "I'm here to have fun, enjoy myself, with guys that are going to help me entertain the people, but I'm not going to take punishment to the point where I can barely walk and barely talk.

Advertisement

"Manny had a great career but boxing retired Manny, Manny didn't retire from boxing — there's a difference."

It is unclear when Mayweather will return to the ring for another exhibition but he has mentioned he'd jet out to the United Arab Emirates once again, having put on a show with his former sparring partner Don Moore in Abu Dhabi, earlier this summer.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article