The rules for Floyd Mayweather’s scheduled bout with Tenshin Nasukawa have been revealed.
The combat sports world was caught by surprise with the initial announcement of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s venture with Japanese MMA promotion company Rizin. The undefeated boxer is slated to face kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at the company’s event on New Year’s Eve.
After a slight uncertainty about whether the fight will happen or not, like in most Mayweather matchups, it was confirmed in mid-November that the “special rules” bout is back on. What was not specified, however, were the regulations that will be put in place.
On Thursday, Mayweather Promotions finally released the fight’s rule set, which is a three-minute, three-round boxing match with full contact allowed.
It was also made clear that the fight will not reflect on either combatant’s professional record, no matter what the result may be.
Per Mayweather Promotions PR, here are the rules for Mayweather vs. Tenshin at Rizin 14 on New Year’s Eve in Japan pic.twitter.com/3l2eV7JjB6
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) December 7, 2018
For Mayweather, the fight is all about the entertainment value, more than anything else.
“I love competing against fighters from all walks of life like in my amateur days,” Mayweather said (via MMA Fighting). “It’s all about entertainment. Nine minutes of entertainment. It’s going to be amazing.
“I’m in the entertainment business. That’s what I go out there to do. I love to do this. I’m working out to put on a show for three rounds.”
Rizin 14 will take place at the famed Saitama Super Arena on December 31st. No broadcasting arrangement has been made in the United States as of yet.