(The Score) - Floyd Mayweather denied that he ever agreed to fight kickboxing superstar Tenshin Nasukawa in a lengthy Instagram post Wednesday.
"Now that I am back on U.S. soil after a long and disappointing trip to Tokyo, I now have the time to address you, my fans and the media in regards to the upcoming event on December 31 that was recently announced. First and foremost, I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa. In fact (with all due respect) I have never heard of him until this recent trip to Japan," the boxer wrote.
The Rizin Fight Federation announced Sunday that Mayweather would fight Nasukawa on Dec. 31 in Japan.
Mayweather said he was under the impression that he would participate in a private three-round, nine-minute exhibition against an opponent of Rizin's choosing for a "small group of wealthy spectators." After arriving at the press conference, Mayweather said he and his team were "derailed" by the way the event was being characterized.
"For the sake of the several fans and attendees that flew in from all parts of the world to attend this past press conference, I was hesitant to create a huge disturbance by combating what was being said and for that, I am truly sorry," Mayweather wrote. "I am a retired boxer that earns an unprecedented amount of money, globally, for appearances, speaking engagements, and occasional small exhibitions."
Mayweather (50-0) has yet to fight since defeating Conor McGregor in an August 2017 bout that was dubbed "The Money Fight."
Nasukawa remains unbeaten in mixed martial arts and kickboxing.
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