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Home / Sport / Boxing

Floyd Mayweather denies agreeing to MMA fight against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa

NZ Herald
8 Nov, 2018 04:06 AM2 mins to read

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Mayweather says he was "completely blindsided by the arrangements that were being made. Photo/Getty

Mayweather says he was "completely blindsided by the arrangements that were being made. Photo/Getty

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In a sensational turn of events, Floyd Mayweather has denied agreeing to fight Japanese mixed martial artist Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year's eve.

Mayweather says he was "completely blindsided by the arrangements" and had "never heard" of the Japanese kickboxer until this week.

Floyd Mayweather: "I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa."https://t.co/M0jkbb2hLe pic.twitter.com/HjPlFs2q4w

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) November 7, 2018

The undefeated boxer said that he was only asked to compete unofficially in a non-televised exhibition event for the "wealthy spectators" with an opponent (Nasukawa) selected by the Rizen Fighting Federation.

"First and foremost, I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa.

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"In fact [with all due respect] I have never heard of him until this recent trip to Japan.

"I was asked to participate in a nine-minute exhibition of three rounds with an opponent selected by the Rizen Fighting Federation," he said in an elaborate Instagram post.

"Once I arrived to the press conference, my team and I were completely derailed," said Mayweather.

"We should have put a stop to it immediately.

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"I can assure you that I too was completely blindsided by the arrangements that were being made without my consent nor approval. I was hesitant to create a huge disturbance by combating what was being said and for that I am truly sorry."

'

Mayweather and Nasukawa were supposed to clash on new year's eve. Photo/Getty
Mayweather and Nasukawa were supposed to clash on new year's eve. Photo/Getty

Money' Mayweather further went on to apologise to his fans.

"For the sake of the several fans and attendees that flew in from all parts of the world to attend this past press conference, I was hesitant to create a huge disturbance by combating what was being said and for that I am truly sorry," he said.

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Contrary sources also say that the boxer pulled out after failing to agree to some match stipulations mainly involving 'kicking'.

Mayweather, the world's richest celebrity who beat McGregor to go 50-0 was even challenged by UFC champion Khabib Nurmagamedov recently.

The fight reveal with Nasukawa came as a shock to the world after Mayweather claimed that only a 'six figure' match deal would get him to put his gloves on again.

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