Mayweather vs Asakura LIVE: Latest updates, result and reaction from exhibition fight

Re-live updates from the American’s exhibition boxing match against the Japanese mixed martial artist

Surprise reunion between Floyd Mayweather, Jr and Manny Pacquiao in Tokyo

Floyd Mayweather stopped mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura in the second round of the pair’s exhibition boxing match in Japan on Saturday (24 September).

Boxing icon Mayweather, 45, has competed in a number of exhibition fights since retiring unbeaten as a professional boxer in 2017, and his clash with Asakura, 30, proved one of the more entertaining. The bout at the Saitama Super Arena in Asakura’s home country was scheduled for three three-minute rounds, and a fun opening frame gave way to an even more competitive second round, in which Mayweather dropped Asakura with the final punch before the bell. It was a right cross that clipped Asakura on the ear and sent the Japanese fighter sprawling, and the MMA star was unable to beat referee Kenny Bayless’ count.

Prior to the stoppage, Mayweather made a point of staying light on his feet, with southpaw Asakura drawing big reactions out of the American with feints. In the second round, the intensity increased after Mayweather landed a clean, step-in right cross to the head of Asakura. The shot led Asakura to fire back with greater intent and try for a series of stern hooks in the clinch. After Bayless separated the fighters, Mayweather applied pressure by backing up Asakura, who retaliated with his best spell of the fight, appearing to stun Mayweather somewhat. Both fighters then connected with a number of straight punches in the final seconds of the second round, with Mayweather dropping Asakura on the bell and leaving the mixed martial artist unable to beat Bayless’ count. Re-live updates from Mayweather vs Asakura, below.

Mayweather vs Asakura LIVE

• Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather fought mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura
• Exhibition bout was held under boxing rules, as Asakura made debut in the sport
• Fight took place in Asakura’s native Japan, at the Super Saitama Arena
• Mayweather, 45, stopped Asakura, 30, with the final punch of the second round

[25 September 2022 00:31 · Alex Pattle]

Mayweather vs Asakura LIVE

Floyd Mayweather returns to the ring tonight (25 September) for an exhibition boxing match with mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura.

Mayweather retired as a professional boxer in 2017 after stopping former UFC champion Conor McGregor to improve his record to 50-0. Since then, the American has fought kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa, YouTuber Logan Paul and boxer Don Moore in exhibition bouts, beating the former via TKO and going the distance with the latter two. The former multiple-weight world champion, 45, is now set to face Asakura in the Japanese fighter’s home country, as the pair box one another at the Super Saitama Arena.

Asakura, 30, has a pro MMA record of 16-3 (1 No Contest) and has achieved nine of his wins via knockout or TKO. Saturday’s main event against Mayweather marks Asakura’s boxing debut, and it will take place under the banner of Rizin – the MMA promotion for which Asakura competes in the featherweight division. Mayweather’s next outing is also already lined up, with the American set to take on YouTube star Deji in November.