Earlier this month, it was announced that the legendary boxer would take on the MMA and kickboxing prodigy on New Year’s Eve.
But a few days after the shock announcement, Mayweather pulled a huge U-turn, insisting he’d never agreed to face the undefeated kickboxer.
The saga took another twist last night when 41-year-old Mayweather declared that the bout is back on, telling TMZ: “We’re gonna make it happen.”
And less than 24 hours after Mayweather’s second U-turn in a matter of days, Sakakibara has confirmed the former five-weight world champion will indeed do battle with Nasukawa.
“The misunderstanding with Floyd Mayweather has been resolved,” Sakakibara said in a tweet posted on Friday, alongside a photograph of himself and Mayweather.
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“He will fight with Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year’s Eve for RIZIN 14. I will explain the details once I am back in Japan.”
Mayweather’s latest bout will be a three-round exhibition match, in which Nasukawa won’t be allowed to use his kicks, knees or elbows.
“No, it wasn’t supposed to be an official fight, no. An exhibition, a small nine-minute exhibition,” Mayweather said.
“Rules? It is going to be a little boxing exhibition. No kicking at all. I will just be moving around with the guy for nine minutes.”
Mayweather hasn’t fought since his August 2017 bout with former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
In recent weeks, the Michigan native has hinted that he could end his second retirement to face McGregor’s successor at the summit of the lightweight division, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Mayweather is willing to face the undefeated Nurmagomeodv but won’t do so inside the Octagon.
“They came to me talking about the Khabib fight,” 41-year-old Mayweather told TMZ Sports. “Khabib called me out, I didn’t call Khabib out.
“They said it has to happen in the Octagon and I said, ‘You just tell me where Khabib has made nine figures before in the Octagon.
“If he hasn’t made nine figures, he’s not the A side. I’m the A side, so if you guys want the fight to happen, you must come my way. My way, my rules.”
He added: “[It] has to [be boxing]. My way, my rules. I’m Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. Even if it don’t happen, I’m comfortable. I’ve got a great life. Houses all over L.A. I’m retired and I’m still living a great life.”