Floyd Mayweather is 45. He could probably do this when he’s 75.
The unbeaten Hall of Famer knocked out Mikuru Asakura in the second round of a scheduled three-round exhibition in the Super RIZIN headliner in Saitama, Japan.
The 30-year-old Japanese mixed martial artist was game and had his moments, landing a few eye-catching punches. However, no MMA fighter has the boxing skills to compete on an even level with one of the greatest practitioners of the sweet science, even one who’s in his mid-40s.
And that’s by design. Mayweather has said he doesn’t want to trade punches with anyone who has a good chance of hurting him. Asakura couldn’t.
Asakura had the benefit of being trained by Floyd Mayweather’s legendary adversary Manny Pacquiao, but that would not be enough for an upset in tonight’s fight. The fight was certainly more contested than Mayweather’s previous RIZIN exhibition against Tenshin Nasukawa. However, ‘Money’ never looked in danger as he cruised to victory at the close of round two.
Asakura had the benefit of being trained by Floyd Mayweather’s legendary adversary Manny Pacquiao, but that would not be enough for an upset in tonight’s fight. The fight was certainly more contested than Mayweather’s previous RIZIN exhibition against Tenshin Nasukawa. However, ‘Money’ never looked in danger as he cruised to victory at the close of round two.
The first round saw Asakura lean in with the jab before following through with swinging overhands, leaving himself exposed to Floyd’s signature counter-punching. That appeared to be the RIZIN star’s downfall as Mayweather had his opponent on the canvas with a well-timed counter-right as the bell rang for the end of the round.
Mayweather collected another big payday and seemed to enjoy himself, graciously expressing his gratitude to the Japanese crowd afterward.
“I’m happy we were able to give the people excitement tonight,” he said. “Thanks for having me . I’ll be back.”
The question is against whom?
Perhaps not coincidentally Mayweather rival Manny Pacquiao was invited by the organizers of the show and spoke in the ring both before and after the main event.
Could they be setting up a Mayweather-Pacquiao exhibition? Maybe Pacquiao, 43, provided a clue.
“Hopefully,” he said, “this is not the last time you’ll see me.”
Yes, we almost certainly will be seeing more of the legendary boxers.