Floyd Mayweather dropped and stopped Mikuru Asakura in the second round of their money-spinning exhibition bout.
Mayweather has banked over $100million from such fights since retiring with a record of 50-0 following his stoppage win over Conor McGregor in 2017. And he made light work of Asakura, who is also a YouTube star, in what was an entertaining affair for as long as it lasted.
Southpaw Asakura pawed at Mayweather in the opening stages with the boxing legend content to bide his time. The home favourite drew a ripple of applause from the crowd with a well-placed body shot before a left hand whistled past its target. Mayweather reminded his opponent of his place in the hierarchy with a right hook before switching to the body.
Asakura was playing his part in the exhibition and at least made it out of the first round, unlike his compatriot Tenshin Nasakawa who was knocked out by Mayweather in 2018. Asakura continued to push forward in the second session but took a right hand in response for his trouble.
Asakura briefly looked to have troubled Mayweather as he unloaded on the ropes but Mayweather merely smiled and slipped away into the centre of the ring. The pair traded blows in the dying seconds of the session before Mayweather dropped his opponent with a right hand behind the ear as the bell rang.
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Veteran referee Kenny Bayless counted Asakura out before waving the fight off as Mayweather took his opponent to one side for a short debrief. "I would like to thank the whole country of Japan; unbelievable country, unbelievable people," Mayweather said as he asked the crowd to salute their fighter.
Mayweather also acknowledged Manny Pacquiao who was ringside to support Asakura, before continuing: "I'm happy that we were able to give the fans excitement tonight. Thanks for having me, I'll be back." Pacquiao then entered the ring to touch gloves with his rival having shared the ring with Mayweather in 2015.
