Sports

Floyd Mayweather destroys Tenshin Nasukawa with swift KO in first round

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Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa lies on the mat after being knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. during first round of their three-round exhibition match on New Year's Eve, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) — Floyd Mayweather beat Tenshin Nasukawa in the first round of their exhibition fight (AP Photo)

Floyd Mayweather made light work of Tenshin Nasukawa by beating the Japanese kickboxer in the first round of their exhibition fight.

Mayweather, who earned $9 million (£7m) for the contest, knocked down Nasukawa three times in the opening round and the bout was stopped with around 40 seconds remaining.

The fight, which was held in Saitama, Japan, was scheduled to last for three rounds but Mayweather quickly swept aside his opponent.

Nasukawa, who is an undefeated kickboxer and MMA fighter, started brightly but dropped to the canvas inside the opening 70 seconds following a left hook from Mayweather.

The 20-year-old staggered to his feet but was knocked down once again by an excellent right uppercut from Mayweather just 40 seconds later.

Mayweather then finished the contest with swift left-right combination which dropped Nasukawa for a third time.