Floyd Mayweather Will Return To Japan To Face MMA Fighter Mikuru Asakura

Legendary Boxer Floyd Mayweather will travel to Japan for another exhibition fight in September to fight MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, RIZIN Fighting Federation announced during a press conference on Tuesday.

The bout which will air on RIZIN Fight Pass, but the rules and length of the fight have yet to be made public.

Mayweather has moved on to exhibition bouts after beating UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017 and retiring with a perfect 50-0 record. This match will be his fourth time stepping into the ring since his retirement.

The 45-year-old’s last time in Japan was in December 2018. He flew to Tokyo after RIZIN offered him $9 million for a three-round exhibition against the 20-year-old kickboxer, Tenshin Nasukawa.

Mayweather made quick work of his opponent, as he dropped Nasukawa three times and danced around the ring in celebration. Asakura, who boasts a 16-3 MMA record, is confident that his fight will not play out the same way.

“My name is Mikuru Asakura and I’ll be facing Floyd Mayweather,” he said at the press conference.

“I’m an MMA fighter but I’m going to use this opportunity and I’m going to use him to raise my name and value internationally. I will win this fight.”

Mayweather, who has had two further exhibitions since his one against Nasukawa – one against Logan Paul in Miami last year and one against Don Moore last month in Abu Dhabi – says he’s looking forward to fighting in Japan again.

“It’s still a great feeling to travel the world and basically do these exhibition bouts and have fun,” Mayweather said.

“My legacy is already engraved in stone, but it’s still great to just go around the world and entertain people from all walks of life. I’m pretty sure he’s going to come out and give his best, like any and every guy, but I’ve seen every style.

“My job is just to go out there be me, have fun and do what I do best.”