Former five-weight-class world champion Floyd Mayweather defeated Japanese mixed martial arts fighter Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition boxing match in Tokyo on New Year's Eve.

Mayweather sent Nasukawa to the floor three times during Monday night's first round, beating the 20-year-old Japanese kickboxer by technical knockout in 2 minutes, 19 seconds in front of more than 29,000 spectators at the Saitama Super Arena.

The exhibition, organized by Japan's Rizin Fighting Federation and cancelled by Mayweather last month before the 41-year-old reached an agreement with promoters, was set for three three-minute rounds with kicking strictly prohibited.

"Tokyo, Japan, you guys have been amazing and thank you," Mayweather said after the fight. "I want to say thank you to Tenshin. It was all about entertainment. We had a lot of fun"

"Tenshin is still undefeated, I'm still retired. I did this just to entertain. Tenshin is a true champion and a hell of a fighter. I want the fans around the world to support Tenshin, he's a great guy and a great champion."

At Sunday's weigh-in, Mayweather was 4.6 kilograms heavier than his opponent, who had never boxed before. Nasukawa is undefeated in both kickboxing and MMA, and has a 27-0 record as a professional kickboxer with 21 wins by knockout.

Mayweather, who has a 50-0 record, had indicated his interest to compete in an MMA event since beating former Ultimate Fighting Championship belt holder Conor McGregor in a one-fight comeback boxing bout in August last year.

Before turning pro, Mayweather won a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.


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