A Lot of Fans on The Internet Believe That Floyd Mayweather’s Exhibition Match Against Japanese Kickboxing Sensation Tenshin Nasukawa Was Fixed… Let’s Analyse the Fight and See What Happened…
Floyd Mayweather finally fought Tenshin Nasukawa last night, after weeks of build-up to help see in the new year. The exhibition fight took place in Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena, with the 40-year, 50-0 unbeaten boxer coming out of retirement to fight Japanese 20-year old kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa.
Mayweather boasted of how he was making $9 million for his night’s work, and by the end of the evening, it looked like an incredible piece of business. Fighting outside Nevada for the first time since 2005, the American looked relaxed and confident from the moment he stepped into the ring.
He brutalized Nasukawa, dominating the smaller fighter and knocking him down in the first and only round of the fight. The Japanese fighter’s corner threw in the towel, with many fans questioning whether or not the exhibition was fixed from the beginning.
Here is the full Floyd fight earlier today.
Mayweather made $9 million https://t.co/QrnRjnMKes
— Burn3r (@big3n3wsburner) December 31, 2018
Fix?
Well, let’s go with the flow and go with the side who are claiming the exhibition match was a fix. You could arguably claim it was from the beginning. Just by nullifying the kickboxer’s ability to kick, this was always going to be in Mayweather’s favour. As he said himself: he’s the box office and makes the rules.
You can also understand why fans are claiming this was a fix. Three knockdowns in a couple of minutes? Mayweather might be the best defensive boxer of all time, but he’s not a knockout artist. 27 in 50 fights isn’t a bad record, but before beating Conor McGregor, his last KO of any sort was against Victor Ortiz in 2011. Now a month from his 41st birthday he’s suddenly entering beast mode?
Floyd Mayweather made him cry and forced him to celebrate. TBE pic.twitter.com/jkU9U5x9yZ
— Will (@willdna_) December 31, 2018
Cons
There is a strong argument to be made though that this wasn’t a fix. First of all, Floyd is most comfortable fighting 20lbs heavier than Tenshin’s natural weight. That’s a massive difference and it was obvious from the moment that the fight started. It was like a man beating on a boy. Even when Tenshin landed, it didn’t faze Mayweather one bit. Meanwhile, when you get hit by a bigger, heavier opponent, it’s going to hurt and that’s what happened.
Secondly, why would RIZIN demolish the reputation of one of their most marketable young stars in front of the entire world? Let’s make this clear: in the kickboxing world, Tenshin is royalty. The young man is legitimately one of the most talented active kickboxers today. But boxing is a whole different story, as RIZIN and Tenshin found out.
Statement
After the fight, Nasukawa released this statement on Instagram:
“I have worked hard with a big dream in the combat world. Karate, Kickboxing, MMA and Boxing. When I first got the offer I took it in a flash. I thought this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and although there were significant differences in accomplishments and weight classes, I felt that I must not run and take on the challenge.
The days since the fight was confirmed have been enjoyable but with concerns, and I spent the time thinking about many things.At the end of the day, I got finished, but I have no regrets. I am disappointed at myself since I thought I could have done better. But I will face the facts and will continue to take on any challenge. I learned that I didn’t work hard enough to earn this opportunity, and I will use this defeat to improve myself and move forward this year. Despite all the things that happened leading up to the fight, I came to realize how truly great Mayweather was. I was the one underestimating him. I promise to make it to that level! It may take some time for me to become the man to haul the industry on my shoulders, but please continue to support me! Everybody who work to make this fight happen, thank you very much. Mr Mayweather, thank you very much.”
