Mayweather comes out of retirement to fight against Rizin in Japan

Posted on 11/05/2018

By: Michael Kane

It looks like Floyd Mayweather is back in retirement.

Mayweather (50-0) appeared in Japan last night with the promotion of the Japanese MMA Rizin Fighting Federation. At the press conference, it was announced that Mayweather would face Tenshin Nasukawa, a 27-0 kickboxer and a 4-0 MMA fighter.

Photo credit: Twitter account Nobuyuki Sakakibara

We do not know yet what battle format will take place, all that has been said is that it would be subject to "special rules".

Last year, Mayweather faced MMA superstar Conor McGregor, stopping McGregor in the 10th round of boxing. Lately, Mayweather has suggested facing UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Dana White, president of the UFC, said it would not happen under the rules of boxing.

PPV Mayweather v McGregor was one of the biggest events of its kind.

Rizin's promoter, Nobuyuki Sakakibara, explained the agreement: "I think my short answer to this question is that we are now ready to do something together and take on a new challenge, taking a step forward towards all that create together, "said Sakakibara via a Japanese translator.

Mayweather is eager to spend more time in Japan and promote his fighters there.

"Rizin did a remarkable job with the fighters," said Mayweather. "I can not wait to give you some fun on December 31, but my relationship with Rizin does not end there. I am looking forward to taking this around the world. "

Nasukawa is eager to face the undefeated boxer.

"I would probably say it's up to now my biggest event in life," Nasukawa said via a Japanese translator. "And I'm very happy that this is coming to fruition."

"Nobody has defeated my opponent in the past," he continued, citing Mayweather's record in professional boxing 50-0. "And I would like to be the man who does the story. My punch can change the history and I will show it to you, so stay tuned, please.

The event will be held on Rizin New Year's Eve, an important date in Japanese combat shows, since the days of Pride and K-1.

The full press conference can be viewed here: