Boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in exhibition match. This is what happened

Legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., 45, continues to win matches, although they will not get included in his official pro record. His latest win was against Japanese fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30, in an exhibition match, Rizin Fighting Federation card, in Saitama, Japan, on Sunday. The boxing great stopped the Youtuber-cum-MMA fighter with a right hand as round two of the match ended. Manny Pacquaio, his former welterweight rival, watched at the ringside.

Since he retired from pro fights, the exhibition match on Sunday was Mayweather's second this year and second in Japan. The first round of the match was uneventful as Asakura tried to land some body shots. He got little success in round two when he connected a few times to Mayweather's head with rights and lefts from a southpaw stance. The boxing legend came back with hard shots before ending the bout with a big right at the end of round two.

Referee Kenny Bayless declared the bout over even before either boxer reached his corner after the second round.





It was an easy win for Mayweather, who is close to agreeing to a rematch with Conor McGregor, UFC star, in 2023. One of the best boxers of all time, Mayweather has been the highest-paid combat sports athlete.

Mayweather thanked the crowd and acknowledged Pacquiao in his speech at the end of the match. He called Pacquiao the future world champion.

Asakura had reportedly visited Pacquiao, 43, before the match to seek advice on competing against the boxing great. Pacquiao added that he attended the match to show solidarity towards Asian combat sports.

In 2019, Mayweather had defeated Tenshin Nasukawa, Japanese kickboxing prodigy, after three knockdowns in the first round.

FAQs

1. How much did Mayweather make from Sunday's exhibition match?
   Mayweather is expected to make around $20 million for the match scheduled for three rounds.
2. When did Mayweather retire?
   Mayweather took retirement from pro fights in 2017 after beating Connor McGregor in his final match with an unbeaten record of 50-0.
3. What is the nickname of Floyd Mayweather?
   Mayweather's nickname is Money.