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Nicolas Atkin

Floyd Mayweather’s fight against Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year’s Eve could be back on.
The fight – scheduled to take place in Saitama, near Tokyo – was announced last week but the retired boxer performed a sharp U-turn, saying he had been “misled” and had not agreed to an official bout with the 20-year-old Japanese sensation.
But Rizin Fighting Federation, the Japanese MMA organisation hoping to put on the fight, said they plan on holding further talks with 41-year-old Mayweather.
“Shortly after this announcement [of the fight], Mr Mayweather made an announcement on social media, insisting that the match had been cancelled, and we sincerely apologise for the confusion,” a Rizin statement said.


Floyd Mayweather mocks Japanese culture by backing out of Tenshin Nasukawa fight – time to stop indulging this troll
“Rizin chairman Nobuyuki Sakakibara is currently holding discussions towards carrying out the match based on the original contract between our promotion and Mr Mayweather based on the basic agreement we initially did have.”
Mayweather said he was initially told the fight would be a private exhibition in front of a group of wealthy investors, with three three-minute rounds of boxing.
He then claimed he and his team were “blindsided” by the “development of negotiations”.
“In truth, we would look to make a clear announcement now but unfortunately as of the time of writing, we are not in a position to report our current negotiating position,” Rizin’s statement said.
“Sadly we are afraid to inform you all that we will be needing more time. Again we sincerely apologise for the confusion and concern this has been causing.”
Floyd Mayweather backs out of fight against Tenshin Nasukawa claiming he was ‘misled’

Mayweather was heavily criticised by fans for his abrupt change of heart last week, and fellow boxing great Oscar De La Hoya weighed in on Monday.
“I think he just wants attention,” De La Hoya told MMAjunkie. “That’s all it is, and Floyd is a fighter who should just stick to boxing.
“I don’t think he’ll ever step into the cage. Making up these special rules, it’s ridiculous. If you want to get involved and be in the MMA world, then do it.
“Don’t set the rules. I just think he should stick to boxing. That’s what he knows best. But he can’t help himself.
“If he ever fights Khabib [Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion] inside the octagon, come on, we all know what’s going to happen. That fight’s going to end in one minute ... or 30 seconds.”
Conor McGregor mocks Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa Rizin fight as ‘Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan’

De La Hoya also said Mayweather took advantage of UFC star Conor McGregor for their mega-money boxing bout last August.
“Floyd is a fighter who knows how to pick and choose his opponents at the right time for his benefit,” he said.
“When he fought Conor McGregor, the reason why I was hugely against it is because it was unfair to Conor. It was totally unfair to Conor McGregor.
“I mean, Conor is not a boxer. He’s not a boxer fighting 12 rounds, and it was totally unfair, but these are the things that Floyd does to his advantage.”


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Martial arts

Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa fight could be back on but Oscar De La Hoya says ‘Money’ just wants attention

Former five-weight world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather (left) and Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa at a press conference in Tokyo. Mayweather said on Instagram on November 7 that he has not agreed to an official bout with Nasukawa scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Photo: Kyodo

Nov 11, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Floyd Mayweather Jr. smiles after Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (not pictured) handed him the ball he caught for a touchdown in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This handout photograph taken by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 5, 2018 shows US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) posing with his opponent, Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa (R) during a press conference to announce their fight. - Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr said on november 5, 2018 he will come out of retirement to fight Japanese kickboxer half his age Tenshin Nasukawa, on New Year's Eve in Saitama. (Photo by Handout / Rizin Fighting Federation / AFP) / --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ---

Nov 11, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr (center) and Atlanta Hawks forward Vince Carter (15) exchange words during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Floyd Mayweather mocks Japanese culture by backing out of Tenshin Nasukawa fight – time to stop indulging this troll

Floyd Mayweather (left) poses with Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa during a press conference to announce their fight. Photo: AFP

Undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. attends a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2018. He is scheduled to take on Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in the Rizin Fighting Federation on Dec. 31 in Saitama, north of Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

TOPSHOT - This handout photograph taken by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 5, 2018 shows Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa (R) posing during a press conference in Tokyo to announce his fight with US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr said on november 5, 2018 he will come out of retirement to fight Japanese kickboxer half his age Tenshin Nasukawa, on New Year's Eve in Saitama. (Photo by Handout / RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION / AFP) / --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS --- NO ARCHIVES

epa04730884 Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) throws a left against Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship boxing fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on 02 May 2015. EPA/ESTHER LIN

(FILES) This file photo taken on August 26, 2017 shows Floyd Mayweather Jr. throwing a punch at Conor McGregor during their super welterweight boxing match on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. / AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Christian Petersen

Floyd Mayweather backs out of fight against Tenshin Nasukawa claiming he was ‘misled’

This handout photograph taken by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 5, 2018 shows US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) and his opponent, Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa (R) attending a press conference to announce their fight. - Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr said on november 5, 2018 he will come out of retirement to fight Japanese kickboxer half his age Tenshin Nasukawa, on New Year's Eve in Saitama. (Photo by Handout / Rizin Fighting Federation / AFP) / --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ---

Conor McGregor mocks Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa Rizin fight as ‘Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan’

Floyd Mayweather (left) shakes hands with Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa during a press conference in Tokyo. Mayweather said he has signed to fight Nasukawa for a bout promoted by Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31 in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Photo: AP

Conor McGregor's Instagram post mocking Floyd Mayweather and Tenshin Nasukawa

Oct 6, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov (red gloves) fights Conor McGregor (blue gloves) during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Sport

Boxing

Rizin Fighting Federation in discussions with Mayweather to resurrect bout
De La Hoya tells old rival ‘just stick to boxing’ instead of flirting with MMA


Rizin Fighting Federation in discussions with Mayweather to resurrect New Year’s Eve bout but De La Hoya tells old rival ‘just stick to boxing’


Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa fight could be back on but Oscar De La Hoya says ‘Money’ just wants attention

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Rizin Fighting Federation in discussions with Mayweather to resurrect bout De La Hoya tells old rival ‘just stick to boxing’ instead of flirting with MMA

Rizin Fighting Federation in discussions with Mayweather to resurrect bout

De La Hoya tells old rival ‘just stick to boxing’ instead of flirting with MMA