RIZIN boss Nobu Sakakibara announced his relief that former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather kept his promise.
Mayweather has agreed to fight kickboxer Mikuru Asakura on September 25 in an exhibition. The fight happens at RIZIN 38 this weekend.
When Mayweather landed, Sakakibara took to social media to confirm the fight was on.
Floyd Mayweather in Japan
Just recently, Mayweather arrived safely in Japan! – First of all, I’m relieved, ”he joked.
“I will keep you posted on Mayweather’s trends in Japan. And finally, Fight Week starts tomorrow!
“I am going to prepare well until next weekend. Stay tuned!”
Now everything is ready for Mayweather to compete in Japan for the first time in four years. The money man will earn around ten million dollars for his services.
He is without a doubt one of the best boxers to ever strap on a pair of gloves and compete.
Many have tried to predict in the past, and many have been wrong. But one thing is for sure. You can never guess what Mayweather will do.
media manipulator
The best media manipulator in the business seemingly always hints at a return to action. This time at the age of 45, it is no different.
Even as he approaches his forties, Mayweather is never far from the headlines.
It only seems to take a photo or video clip of “The Best Ever” at the gym or in another country to stir up the pot of speculation.
Japan does that more than most for their next fight.
The fact is that Floyd Mayweather has become the number one figure in the sport by some distance. Due to a combination of his performances inside the ring and actions outside of it.
It has made the American superstar a must-see for more than just the avid boxing fan.
Mayweather has transcended the sport for many years by picking the right opponents at the right time and knowing when to leave people wanting more.
Fights between Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor
to wait [and waiting] to give Manny Pacquiao his shot in 2015. To then agree to what turned out to be the easiest payday of his career against Conor McGregor two years later in August 2017.
He says Mayweather is first and foremost a fighter. However, a close second is the businessman aspect that we have all seen arise when necessary.
Listening to his former promoters and learning from their mistakes has been key to Mayweather’s longevity. The veteran five-weight world champion went through his career, picking up bigger and bigger checks to cash.
PPV’s breakthrough, after beating multiple world champions including Diego Corrales, Zab Judah, Arturo Gatti and José Luis Castillo, came against Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather earned a billion dollars
Mayweather hasn’t looked back since earning more than a billion dollars in fight and endorsement revenue alone.
Taking on Logan Paul and Tenshin Nasukawa in exhibition contests adds more strings to his bow.
Not to mention hefty winnings from gambling and being a promoter, outsider understanding of Mayweather seems to be taken for granted.
It’s probably a testament to his level of in-ring skill against some of the best names of a generation and beyond.
Floyd beat fighters who were at the top of their game. He sometimes did it with ease, showing that his own level was far superior.
That is even if there were a couple of hairy moments to consider in the deal.
Taking his bulges from Castillo, Marcos Maidana and, of course, ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Almost being outclassed for a first loss to De La Hoya in their ‘World Awaits’ superfight.
It all came out with the territory as Mayweather proved he was a better fighter than the rest.
Losing a tooth or two along the way. It has been an invincible force.
Rumors continue of a possible series of more exhibitions. The odds are pretty slim, though, that Mayweather will return for a pro fight or two in the ring in the future.
Mayweather’s team is guiding you on the right path to make the best decisions for the business.
the best ever
The self-proclaimed “Best Ever” doesn’t seem too bored of retirement just yet. Maybe your cash counts?
We still don’t know if his strip club business will be enough to keep his ego in check forever. But one thing remains true when you talk about Floyd Mayweather: everyone talks about Floyd Mayweather!
An expert boxing reader, a great showman, and the greatest sports businessman of all time.
Another appearance on a Japanese show that many in the United States won’t even see won’t deter Mayweather from doing more in the future.
Whether it’s against Deji in Dubai this November or Jake Paul in Las Vegas, legend Floyd Mayweather can do as he pleases.
He always comes out as the winner in money bets.
The views expressed in this article are the views of Phil Jay.
WBN editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. He follows WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
