Shock horror, Floyd Mayweather isn’t going to let himself be pummelled by the kicks of an undefeated kickboxer.
Mayweather, a master pugilist and an expert in keeping relevant, raised plenty of eyebrows when he aligned himself with Japanese mixed martial arts promotion RIZIN FF on Monday morning.
No more additional information was given in the press conference other than the fact that Mayweather would be facing off with unbeaten 20-year-old kickboxing phenom Tenshin Nasukawa.
No details on the rule set or weight or gloves were provided but we were always reluctant to believe that ‘Money’ would be willing to leave his comfort zone, even slightly.
Don't get too excited https://t.co/Eze9WxkJO4
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 5, 2018
Being one of the most business-savvy fighters in combat sports history, Mayweather was never going to allow kicks or takedowns and let’s be honest, he was even going to be unlikely to wear 4oz. gloves because his hands are notoriously brittle.
Well Boxing Scene has offered us the most likely scenario because according to their sources, the bout will probably be no more than an exhibition boxing match, which could end up being no longer than three rounds.
Disappointing? Yes. Predictable? Absolutely.
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Mayweather will likely be paid handsomely by RIZIN for a fight against a man who is significantly smaller and the 41-year-old won’t even have to go through an arduous training camp because he could fight a short exhibition match tomorrow morning.
It would also represent no risk to Mayweather’s legacy as an improbable defeat against Nasukawa would not cause a blemish to his pristine 50-0 boxing record.
It’s a win-win for both parties as RIZIN would earn mainstream attention on both their brand and one of their most promising young fighters while Mayweather gets a payday, keeps his name in the headlines and receives something of a tune-up contest if he actually intends to come out of retirement for real for a lucrative rematch against Manny Pacquiao next year.
