Floyd Mayweather knocks out MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura as Japanese fans blast politician’s ‘shameful’ act of throwing flowers at his feet
- American legend hands Asakura his first KO loss in exhibition boxing bout at Super Rizin card in Saitama, in front of watching Manny Pacquiao
- But fans slam ‘disgraceful’ Takushi Okuno on social media after leader of Burdock political party ‘disrespects’ Mayweather in pre-fight ritual
Floyd Mayweather handed Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura the first knockout loss of his career at the Super Rizin event in Saitama on Sunday afternoon – after a local politician caused a storm by “disrespecting” him before the fight.
The undefeated American legend, 45, caught Asakura – who has a 16-3 record in MMA – with a right hand just before the end of the second round of their catchweight exhibition boxing bout.
“Money” – who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with a 50-0 record after stopping UFC icon Conor McGregor in Las Vegas – weathered some early offence from his 30-year-old opponent at Saitama Super Arena.
Asakura continued to land some big shots in the second round before getting dropped by Mayweather soon before the bell.
The referee gave him a chance to get to his feet, but he could not answer the 10 count and the fight was waived off.
Mayweather has put on a series of exhibition bouts since coming out of retirement and beating featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at Rizin’s 2018 New Year’s Eve card.