On New Years Eve in Tokyo, Japan (Monday morning in North America), Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa stepped through the ropes for an exhibition boxing match with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Because this fight was an exhibition, it would not wind up on either fighters record, no matter the outcome. All the same, Nasukawa hoped to do the unthinkable and knock the Floyd Mayweather out.

Unfortunately, this bout went rather disastrously for him.

Moments after the opening bell, the much larger Floyd Mayweather was plowing forward, clubbing Tenshin Nasukawa with huge power shots.

Before the first of the bout’s three three-minute rounds had ended, Nasukawa had been knocked down for a third time, and his corner was throwing in the towel to protect him from further punishment (see it here).

Shortly after this tough setback, Tenshin Nasukawa took to Instagram to issue a quick statement. He penned this statement in his native Japanese, but keep scrolling for a rough Google translation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsD0dk6lQNp/

“It was a challenge to fight with being said to be reckless
Although the result has been knocked down
I do not regret it
I did not reach Mayweather at my own 20 years. In case
But I came out with courage. In case
Thank you very much, Mayweather players who fought. In case
Thank you very much for everyone who supported me. In case
I could not shape your thoughts, but I will continue to challenge from now on
Everyone, thank you again this year.” – Tenshin Nasukawa on Twitter.

What did you think of the exhibition fight between Tenshin Nasukawa and Floyd Mayweather?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/31/2018.