RIZIN.14 Confirms Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa fighting on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena
RIZIN has announced a massive fight between two megastars for RIZIN 14 on NYE. 20-year-old Japanese kickboxing Phenom Tenshin Nasukawa will face one of the greatest boxers of all time in the form of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a Super Challenge bout. Both parties have agreed to fight each other on NYE. Rules and details are being negotiated and finalized. Tenshin Nasukawa (27-0, KB / 4-1 MMA) has become one of the most popular fighters in Japan, and perhaps the best combat sports prospect the country has ever seen. Between both MMA and kickboxing fights, “Ninja Boy” has fought over thirty times despite turning 20 just over two months ago. The current RISE Featherweight Champion, Tenshin began to make a name for himself with wins over the likes of Amnat Ruenroeng and Wanchalong PK Saenchai in the KNOCK OUT promotion out of Thailand.
Since those wins, Tenshin has become a massive star under the RIZIN banner. Racking up four dominant mixed martial arts wins, defeating multiple men to be crowned the 2017 RIZIN KICK Tournament Champion, and most recently outpointing fellow superstar Kyoji Horiguchi in the biggest fight the Saitama Super Arena has ever seen. Most assumed the magnitude of that match-up wouldn’t be beaten, but, Tenshin now has his sights on Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, BX) has a legitimate case as the best boxer of all time, and he has the record to back it up. After winning a Bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Mayweather turned pro and never looked back. Over the years he has solidified himself as the biggest fighter in combat sports, earning the nickname “Money” in every sense of the word.
The legendary counter puncher has too many accolades to name. Mayweather holds numerous WBC titles, IBO titles, IBF titles, WBA titles, and WBO titles, and the fivedivision champion has defeated the likes of Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, and Andre Berto. Mayweather has also racked up wins in some of the most financially successful pay-per-view events of all time against Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao, and most recently, UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Despite being 41-years-old, Mayweather has never slowed down. And he is slated to bring his talents to Japan for the first time ever to take on the incredible Phenom known as “Ninja Boy” Tenshin Nasukawa.
Stay tuned for future news regarding the rules the bout will be contested under, as well as other match-ups for the card.
RIZIN 14 is scheduled for December 31, 2018, live from the famed Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
[Confirmed bout]
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Tenshin Nasukawa
Doors open at 1:30 pm with Opening Ceremony at 3:00 pm on Monday, December 31st 2018 at the Saitama Super Arena. International tickets can be purchased at www.stubhub.com Streaming and international broadcasts to be announced.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
