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.
