Tenshin Nasukawa Learned How ‘Truly Great’ Floyd Mayweather Was in Rizin 14 Loss
Tenshin
Nasukawa didn’t put up much of a fight against Floyd
Mayweather at Rizin
14 on New Year’s Eve, but the Japanese kickboxing standout
doesn’t regret taking the opportunity to face the undefeated boxing
great.
“When I first got the offer I took it in a flash. I thought this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and although there were significant differences in accomplishments and weight classes, I felt that I must not run and take on the challenge,” Nasukawa wrote on Instagram.
“The days since the fight was confirmed have been enjoyable but
with concerns, and I spent the time thinking about many things. At
the end of the day, I got finished, but I have no regrets. I am
disappointed at myself since I thought I could have done better.
But I will face the facts and will continue to take on any
challenge.”
The significantly larger and more experienced Mayweather knocked Nasukawa down three times in the opening stanza before the Japanese fighter’s corner threw in the towel in the evening’s headliner at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The exhibition was scheduled for three three-minute rounds.
Nasukawa entered the bout with a 27-0 professional kickboxing record and a 4-0 mark in MMA but no pro boxing experience. He recently defeated Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi in a kickboxing match. The 20-year-old vows to improve from the defeat after learning how “truly great Mayweather was.”
“I learned that I didn’t work hard enough to earn this opportunity, and I will use this defeat to improve myself and move forward this year,” Nasukawa wrote. “Despite all the things that happened leading up to the fight, I came to realize how truly great Mayweather was. I was the one underestimating him. I promise to make it to that level! It may take some time for me to become the man to haul the industry on my shoulders, but please continue to support me! Everybody who work to make this fight happen, thank you very much. Mr. Mayweather, thank you very much.”
“When I first got the offer I took it in a flash. I thought this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and although there were significant differences in accomplishments and weight classes, I felt that I must not run and take on the challenge,” Nasukawa wrote on Instagram.
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The significantly larger and more experienced Mayweather knocked Nasukawa down three times in the opening stanza before the Japanese fighter’s corner threw in the towel in the evening’s headliner at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The exhibition was scheduled for three three-minute rounds.
Nasukawa entered the bout with a 27-0 professional kickboxing record and a 4-0 mark in MMA but no pro boxing experience. He recently defeated Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi in a kickboxing match. The 20-year-old vows to improve from the defeat after learning how “truly great Mayweather was.”
“I learned that I didn’t work hard enough to earn this opportunity, and I will use this defeat to improve myself and move forward this year,” Nasukawa wrote. “Despite all the things that happened leading up to the fight, I came to realize how truly great Mayweather was. I was the one underestimating him. I promise to make it to that level! It may take some time for me to become the man to haul the industry on my shoulders, but please continue to support me! Everybody who work to make this fight happen, thank you very much. Mr. Mayweather, thank you very much.”
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