Floyd Mayweather Jr. easily knocked out his opponent in the second round of an exhibition match in Japan and vowed to return next year.
“I would like to thank all of Japan,” said the 45-year-old boxing legend, undefeated in his 50 professional fights, before a sellout crowd at the Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo.
Mikuru Asakura, a popular 30-year-old Japanese mixed martial artist, was able to land a couple of goals in his boxing debut. But Asakura ended up on the canvas once Mayweather was more aggressive. A right hook from Mayweather dropped another one near the end of the round and he could not recover.
“I don’t remember what the hit was,” Asakura pointed out after the fight. “I have a tremendous headache.”
Mayweather said the jet lag was more difficult than the fight itself.
“For me, boxing is like breathing,” he told reporters.
He stressed that he always knew when was the ideal time to retire at the top. He had no interest in sustaining permanent physical damage, implying that opponents in exhibition matches are not dangerous fighters.
“I retired for a reason. Boxing is a sport for a young man,” he said.
Tickets for seats around the arena for Sunday’s fight cost $7,000 each, attracting celebrities such as tennis star Naomi Osaka and retired boxer Manny Pacquiao.
The fight was organized by Mayweather Promotions and the Japanese company Rizin Fighting Federation. He had no weight restrictions, and the Mayweather fight was limited to three rounds.
Mayweather said he intends to participate in other evenings with Rizin, including events in the United States. He is scheduled for another exhibition fight in Dubai this November.