Mayweather floors Japan’s Nasukawa in Round 1

Floyd “Money” Mayweather beat Japanese kickboxing phenomenon, Tenshin Nasukawa by a technical knockout on Monday (Dec 31) after just two minutes of a New Year’s Eve “exhibition” bout that brought the US boxing superstar out of retirement for a big payday.

In a mismatched contest, Mayweather floored Nasukawa, a kickboxer less than half his age, three times in the first round of the three-round contest before the Japanese fighter’s trainer rushed in to stop the fight.

“Money” Mayweather has hinted on social media he was pocketing US$9 million for the fight, meaning he earned around US$4.5 million per minute for the spectacle.

The American boxer at first appeared not to be taking the fight seriously, grinning at his opponent and aiming only soft punches at him.

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But he then demonstrated his power, launching a series of jabs and hooks to the head of the 20-year-old Japanese fighter, sending him to the canvas after just one minute with a left hook.

Sensing his opponent was struggling, Mayweather stepped in for the kill, unleashing a flurry of punches that left Nasukawa reeling again within just two minutes of the bout and facing his second standing count after a huge right hook to the head.

With the Japanese fighter clearly battling to stay on his feet, the trainer rushed in and stopped the fight with less than one minute of the first round remaining.

“It was all about entertainment. We had fun,” Mayweather said in the ring after the event.

“I’m still retired. I don’t look forward to coming back to boxing but I did this just to entertain the fans in Japan,” added the 41-year-old.

The rules were very strictly defined: three, three minute bouts and boxing only – kickboxer Nasukawa was reportedly facing a US$5 million fine if he aimed a kick at Mayweather.

There were no judges, with only a knockout or technical knockout considered a victory in the bout, promoted as a pure exhibition match.

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Crucially, the match did not feature on the record of either man, allowing them both to retain a cherished unbeaten record.

“This won’t go on my record. This won’t go on Tenshin’s record. Tenshin is still undefeated. I’m still undefeated. This is just entertainment for the people,” he added.

The purse for the event was not disclosed but “Money” hinted on Instagram that he would be making US$1 million per minute.

“What if I told you I was making $9,000,000 for nine minutes of sparring in Tokyo, Japan,” he wrote on his official page. “Would you do the same if you were me? I like to call it a nine-minute walk thru,” the post added.