Floyd Mayweather to fight kickboxer at RIZIN New Year’s Eve show

Undefeated boxing star Floyd Mayweather just can’t seem to quit combat sports as Japan’s RIZIN organization announced at a press conference that the on-and-off-again retired boxer will return to action once again on their annual New Year’s Eve show.

In a bit of a surprise, the 41-year-old (50-0) will face rising kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 14, set for Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena. Both men were in attendance at the press conference. The rules and weight class have yet to be finalized with the promotion and Mayweather saying they “were working on it” and that things should get sorted out over the next few weeks.

Mayweather said competing in Tokyo was a motivating factor and that his team and RIZIN were able to come to terms on this fight. 

Nasuakwa is just 20 years old, but has an extensive amateur and pro career, currently sitting at 27-0 with 21 wins by knockout. He’s also 4-0 in MMA, but hasn’t competed in that sport since 2017.

Mayweather was last seen defeating two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor in August 2017 in a boxing match that set financial records. He had been trying to play up a boxing match with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, former foe Manny Pacquiao, and even McGregor himself in recent months.