Undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. will soon collide with kickboxing wunderkind Tenshin Nasukawa, sources have confirmed to BJPENN.COM. This blockbuster fight is expected to occur at RIZIN 14, inside Tokyo, Japan’s hallowed Saitama Super Arena on New Years Eve.
Rizin will officially announce this news at a press conference that is unfolding presently in Tokyo, and broadcasting on the promotion’s YouTube channel. Tenshin Nasukawa will be present at this press conference, as will Floyd Mayweather, who recently arrived in Japan on his private jet.
This news comes as a massive surprise, as Mayweather has recently been linked to bouts with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and with his long-time rival Manny Pacquiao. That being said, the undefeated pugilist did recently tell TMZ that he hoped to fight in Tokyo in the near future, and that mixed martial artists and kickboxers were being considered as potential opponents. It appears he wasn’t exaggerating.
In Tenshin Nasukawa, Floyd Mayweather will face one of the most impressive strikers in combat sports history. The 20-year-old Japanese sensation is a flawless 27-0 as a professional kickboxer, with 21 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Highlights of his resume include defeats of Amnat Ruenroeng, Yamato Fujita, Yusaku Nakamura, Rodtang Jitmuangnon and most recently, fellow Japanese star Kyoji Horiguchi.
Nasukawa has also competed four times in mixed martial arts, winning two of those bouts by knockout, one by submission, and one by decision.
He has never competed as a professional boxer.
Floyd Mayweather, meanwhile, is arguably the greatest boxer of all time. The American last fought in August of 2017, when he improved to 50-0 with a 10th-round TKO of Conor McGregor in a similar crossover fight. Other highlights of his incredible record include victories over Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Victor Ortiz, Juan Manuel Márquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Zab Judah, Arturo Gatti and many, many more.
Stay tuned for more information on this shocking RIZIN 14 Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Floyd Mayweather fight, including details on the rule set, as they emerge.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/4/2018.