mixed martial arts

Mayweather stops Nasukawa in 1st round, flooring him 3 times

59 Comments
By YURI KAGEYAMA

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59 Comments
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Was there ever any doubt about the outcome?

17 ( +18 / -1 )

According to stories published here on the Japan Times, Tenshin not only said that he didn't fear Mayweather, but that he had no aura, and that he was looking forward to a 'real fight' with him instead of just an exhibition.

Now he learned what a real fighter is and can do.

It's pretty bad really, considering that Floyd is over the hill, never known for his power punching anyway, but a defensive, movement oriented boxer. Yet he DESTROYED Tenshin.

And I can probably guess why. Floyd gamed the RIZIN promoters and the system. He'd seen too many of the previous NYE events, whether they were Pride, Inoki Bom-Ya-Ye, DREAM, or RIZIN. He knew that the longer he let it go, the more scammy it would get. There'd be a way for the Japanese fighter to get that win or the symbolic win over the gaijin fighter.

So Floyd left no doubt. Now, the most they can say is that since there was no kicking, that Floyd would have lost there. But in the end, Tenshin got his wannabe butt handed to him, and Floyd's probably already on a jet back to the USA, nine million dollars richer.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

The Japanese fighter lost and he cried. The crying has destroyed all respect in the "outside" world. In Japan it seems to be very ordinary for athletes who lose to cry. And when Japanese athletes win the have no respect for their opponent.

I read an interesting comment on this fight. The poster said that the Japanese fighter has no freedom of expression or thought. Everything is controlled by the promoters and people who own his contract. He didn't have the experience or training to react when Floyd didn't act the way he was expecting.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Floyd is over the hill

Floyd has something like a 41-0 record. I'm not sure if the term over the hill can really be applied to him.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Fans — and possibly Nasukawa himself — appeared taken back that Mayweather showed little mercy in the exhibition.

Mayweather is a boxer, if they expected him to do anything else than box they should have gotten a different patsy to play the part.

Exhibition or otherwise, he came to Japan, did what he got paid for, and if RIZN or Nasukawa dont like it, so what. This just sounds like whining!

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Floyd is, and always has been, a highly competent technical fighter who is now content to collect huge checks in farcical exhibitions. He is also a complete coward who has carefully cultivated his opponents, avoiding any fight in which the outcome could actually be in doubt, but has no problem at all terrorizing women and children.

The video of this "fight" exposes it for exactly what it is--yet another pathetic display of contempt for the sport itself and of the rubes who play along with the ruse, all while Floyd collects another giant payday. Nasukawa's absolutely ludicrous flopping is apparent for anyone who can stand to look.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

A dangerous and pointless waste of time.... did Nasukawa really expect to be treated with "kid gloves"??

Mayweather was there for the money, nothing else.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Mayweather learned from the mistakes of Ali, Tyson and Emalianenko. They were all duped by the Japanese promotors and have losses because they trusted Japanese. Mayweather beat them at their own game !!

4 ( +10 / -6 )

I watched the fight, and Mayweather barely seemed to give much effort. Tenshin didn't even take any real shots by Mayweather, but was easily knocked down 3 times. Before the fight, neither fighter seemed to do any warm up (at least, none was shown in the back stage footage). If this wasn't staged, then Tenshin has a long way to go in the realm of boxing. It was quite disappointing to watch.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I saw this fight last night. Had really good seats. I didn't take this fight seriously at all. I kept thinkng of the " fight " between Antonio Inoki and the late GREAT Muhammad Ali. It was just a show. Floyd knew it'd be an easy fight and did it for the money which takes the skill of the game.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It was all just a big publicity stunt anyway!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Unfair fight. Tenshin chan should demand a rematch. Next time, let him kick Mayweather in the head, see who wins then!!

-31 ( +2 / -33 )

So who really lost last night..... all the gullible idiots that paid to see this fight. Mayweather... he won big time and is laughing his way to the bank. Tenshin.... yes, he fell for all of his hype.... all the hype the promoters threw his way.... and yes, the promoters won too.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Unfair fight. Tenshin chan should demand a rematch. Next time, let him kick Mayweather in the head, see who wins then!!

"Unfair"? Hmm..seems to me that the second half of the word itself "kickBOXER" implies that he is also a boxer as well.

He got beat by a better opponent last night, and everyone who wanted him to win are just whining and makes excuses.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

T cried like a baby when he lost is that the ninja samurai spirit? take it like a man, congratulate your opponent and move on. No respect from me.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Reminded me of concerts I have been to. The main act was late so we were forced to watch the warm-up acts. Then it turned out that the warm-up acts were better than the main act.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

An unfair fight ?? It didn't even last a round because the Japanese quit !!

The Japanese said Floyd was inferior and that he would destroy him. But in less than one round he had quit and cried because the fight wasn't fixed.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Was a man vs boy type of fight and the boy found out he has no chin. 

Mayweather's not a powerful puncher i mean for a boxer of his class yet he sent tenshin to the canvas each time he connected. I was hurting for the J guy.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Reality check also coming in 2020!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Insane Wayne

Haven't you ever cried before?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If he cried because of THAT, then i'd like to see Nasukawa fight McGregor! That will be very entertaining.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Disgraceful performance by this teary eyed clown.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

How can you have a kickboxer not allowed to kick?

How ridiculous.

Setup to be one-sided from the outset.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

After getting pummeled by Mayweather, Tenshin needs to change his name to Tenkan.

天心 -- 癲癇

You could almost see the birds flying around his head.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I haven't found T with Mayweather at any post fight press conferences most disrespectful behavior.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Mayweather has 2 decades worth of pro boxing experience; Nasukawa has 2 months

Aging experience beat youthful confidence

Next time, ask someone a little bit older but more boxing experience

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Would have been nice to see if Mayweather could take a kick.

I dont like Mayweather but hes never even developed his kicking, hes a boxer. It would be like Nasukawa told he has to fight another kickboxer in a heavier weight class, he wouldnt be prepared to handle the heavier punhces and kicks and the result would be the same , a hammering

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Would have been nice to see if Mayweather could take a kick.

Why would he though? He's a boxer, who has made a career as a boxer. He's as experienced in fighting with kicks as most of the rest of you; ie - he's not.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Joe - Apparently, Tenshin or his posse would have been fined 5 mill USD for a kick.

Maybe Tenshin watched too much Rocky and was hoping for a similar style outcome. Still, a loss has zero consequences, as J-fans can always say, "Well, the format wasn't fair."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wonder what they earned per second for the 140-second fight! Maybe Nasukawa and Mayweather just wanted to cash in and get the hell out of there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nasukawa was 50% hobbled, but Mayweather wasn't hobbled in any way. Where is the fun in that?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

"It's all about having fun," Mayweather told reporters

I fail to see the fun in beating somebody senseless.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

wonder why Floyd didn't let T endure a couple rounds, he was never in any threat, give the people a better show for their money, after all he kept saying the exhibition was for entertainment

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I fail to see the fun in beating somebody senseless.

He won the fight. I think he stopped short of any fouls. Pretty sure this is what boxing is. Tell me I'm wrong.

wonder why Floyd didn't let T endure a couple rounds, he was never in any threat, give the people a better show for their money, after all he kept saying the exhibition was for entertainment

I was entertained.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why did they even call it a fight.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who in Japan said Floyd was inferior?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

After getting pummeled by Mayweather, Tenshin needs to change his name to Tenkan. 

天心 -- 癲癇

You could almost see the birds flying around his head.

or better yet 天ぷらafter that light battering!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Natsukawa should stick to points karate tournaments where he can rely on on a hometown decision over the gaijin. On a world stage like this, he will always get exposed. Everyone knows it, but will not admit it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In the main photo, he looks like he is crying before he hits the mat?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There was a lot of crying going on last night, so much that one might believe it was all agreed upon at a meeting! Oh well next New Year’s Eve they can plan a Tenshin vs Bob Sapp or Conner McGregor match

0 ( +0 / -0 )

All the other fights were MMA, and the fighters were able to use all their training and skills. Except the main event. One fighter was hobbled, by not being allowed to use half his repetoire. Boring.

At least a lot of the earlier fights were worth watching.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

All the other fights were MMA, and the fighters were able to use all their training and skills. Except the main event. One fighter was hobbled, by not being allowed to use half his repetoire. Boring.

They both agreed to the rules. If he chose to 'hobble' himself, then that was his choice. And honestly, it makes no sense having a boxer fight an MMA fight. It's like getting a kid to fight an adult. There is no challenge in that.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Loved the fight, had no doubt Mayweather would win, felt kinda bad for Tenshin, but he and his promoters should have known they were going up against a Tsunami.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I'd like to know how much Mayweather got paid for this cuz you know he's all about the money and he was holding out at first back when

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In watching the full fight, I can see where Floyd decided to end it. If you watch the first 30-40 seconds of the fight, he's dancing around, not even punching but just waving his left and right out there, watching and having fun. You can tell, he's in light sparring/exhibition mode.

Then Tenshin walked in and hit Floyd with what Tenshin probably thought was a hard body shot and a left to the head.

Floyd goes "oh, okay, you really are trying to knock me out, aren't you punk?" and proceeded to spend the next 90 seconds flooring Tenshin at will.

Basically, it was movie "The Great White Hype" redone in Tokyo.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I'd like to know how much Mayweather got paid for this cuz you know he's all about the money and he was holding out at first back when

I heard it was $9M.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Given the Japanese sense of honor and face, I think this kid will need some serious counseling. He needs to know that it's just sports and at 20yrs he has a lot going for him. That that's life, you win some and you lose some, a few knock-downs included.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cocky MMA fighters think they can win everything. They’re just jack-of-all-trades master of none. Same thing happened to Conor McGregor. At least he lasted until round 9 before surrendering.

If Floyd wants to command respect, he better play by MMA rules against a semi-retired Georges St-Pierre, who is a MASTER in Kyokushin (Black Belt, 3rd Dan) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt). Only then we will talk. Where I respect both Conor and Nasukawa is that they actually tried fighting outside of their comfort zone while Floyd hasn't fought against a real contender nor outside of his own comfort zone in ages.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

If Floyd wants to command respect

Look at Floyd's record. The guy has never received a major beating in the ring, in any of his fights.

You're silly if you think he doesn't already command respect.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Look at Floyd's record. The guy has never received a major beating in the ring, in any of his fights.

You're silly if you think he doesn't already command respect.

I couldn't care less about his record; there are ways to cheat your way around with that. There is also a boxer who held matches against not-so-dangerous opponents for years to keep his championship belt, and he was WBC light-heavyweight title holder between 2013 and 2018. He never got a major beating until very recently.

Guess what: that guy faced a truly dangerous opponent just a few weeks ago and for the first time in years in a mandatory defence, and the defending champion got sent into the hospital by the Ukrainian contender.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I couldn't care less about his record;

Heh, what's yours?

Sorry, but you can discount his record all you want. Don't expect the rest of us to do so though.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Wow... even the Japanese judges couldn't fudge the results or downplay the disaster for Tenshin on this one. But this is usually what happens when extremely overhyped J-athletes go against true champions: lots of crying, denial, and anger. At least Mayweather was very down to earth about it instead of bragging. I'm going to be slightly less kind when a greet my co-worker on Friday, who said that Mayweather doesn't stand a chance and Japanese boxers and kickboxers are superior. He probably couldn't even find the channel before the match was done. Likely got to see a lot of crying in post interviews, though.... well, scratch that. Knowing him he shut the TV off immediately and curled up in bed.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Love Mayweather. The guy just rocks, my kind of fighter! Kudos.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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