Boxing legend and hall of famer Floyd Mayweather makes his next appearance inside the boxing ring in Japan as he faces MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura. The exact date and rules of the exhibition bout scheduled for September 2022 are expected to be announced later this month.
Announcing the event “Money” Mayweather, Mikuru Asakura and Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara held a press conference at M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas. Check out below what they had to say.
Mayweather previously fought in Japan on New Year’s Eve 2018 in an exhibition against kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa.
Floyd Mayweather: It’s no different from facing Manny Pacquiao or Canelo Alvarez
“I had so many great days competing at the highest level, but this is a great feeling now to be able to travel the world and do these exhibition bouts and have fun. My legacy is already engraved in stone. It’s great to be able to entertain people around the world and from all walks of life.”
“This guy is going to come out and give his best, like every and any guy. But I’ve seen every style, so my job is just to go out there be me, have fun and do what I do best.”
“Come September in Japan, we’re going to give the people what they want to see. They want to see me still competing and be entertained by Floyd Mayweather.”
“I know that he believes in his skill, but no fighter that he’s ever been in the ring with is Floyd Mayweather. These other guys are just fighters, but I’m Floyd Mayweather. I’m on a different level. I’m special. Not just special, very special.”
“I don’t have to watch tape on my opponents, he needs to watch me. I’m the one to watch. Everybody I face is just an opponent. It’s no different from facing Manny Pacquiao or Canelo Alvarez.”
Mikuru Asakura: I will win this fight
“I’m an MMA fighter, but I’m going to use this opportunity and use Mayweather to raise my name and value internationally.”
“I will win this fight.”
Nobuyuki Sakakibara: I’m very excited to be working with Floyd Mayweather
“I’m very happy to be sitting between these two athletes and announcing our second fight with Floyd Mayweather on Rizin and against Mikuru Asakura. Mayweather was supposed to fight in Japan before the pandemic, but unfortunately it was postponed and now Rizin is thrilled to put on this fight in September.”
“I’m very excited to be working with Floyd Mayweather, not only for this fight, but in the future and in the bigger picture to create more exciting content on our platform.”
Floyd Mayweather vs Mikuru Asakura is scheduled to headline a fight card live on Rizin Fight Pass.
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