Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa fight: What we know so far

Floyd Mayweather will take on Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition fight on New Year’s Eve.

Having come out of retirement to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor last year, ‘Money’ is set for another lucrative return after receiving an offer he couldn’t refuse from Japanese MMA promotion Rizin.

The bout is being billed as an exhibition bout rather than a licenced fight that will not put Mayweather’s 50-0 record at risk.

Standard Sport looks back at what we know so far about Monday's fight.

How is this fight happening?

Rizin caused a major stir in November when they announced the former five-weight world champion would be coming to Japan to take on Nasukawa.

Mayweather however initially denied an agreement had been made just a few short days later.

The American wrote on Instagram he had been “blindsided by the arrangements that were being made without his consent and approval.”

Mayweather went onto explain he had been misled over the scale of the fight, being led to believe he was fighting “in an exhibition put on for a small group of wealthy spectators for a very large fee.”

The issue was soon resolved, however.

Rizen CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara later addressed Mayweather’s comments, insisting a “misunderstanding” with the American’s camp had been resolved.

Mayweather has been in Japan this week doing his share of promotional work for the fight that will headline the Rizin 14 card.

Nasukawa meanwhile has been getting some tips from former lightweight world champion Jorge Linares, promising to knockout the undefeated American in front of a worldwide audience.

What are the rules?

It will be strictly a boxing affair, contested in three, three minutes rounds. Nasukawa will not be permitted to use any kickboxing or MMA moves.

Both fighters will wear Rizin's eight ounce gloves and the bout will be contested at the welterweight limit (147 pounds).

No judges will be present and the result will not go on either man's professional record.

Why has Mayweather taken the fight?

The simple answer? Money. Despite his on-again-off-again retirement status, Mayweather remains top of Forbes’ World’s Highest Paid Athletes list. The 41-year-old has made no secret of his motivation behind this fight.

“It’s a no brainer. Just because I am retired from boxing. I still make appearances worldwide and make a ton of money," told TMZ in November.

How much will Mayweather earn?

Japanese new outlet Tokyo-Sports have speculated Rizin will pay Mayweather an estimated $88million – which doesn’t include a share of pay-per-view sales.

It’s still somewhat short of what he usually banks – 'Money’s' share of the fight purse from his 2015 fight with Manny Pacquaio was in the excess of $150m while the McGregor fight saw his reportedly pocket $250m.

Who is Tenshin Nasukawa?

20-year-old Nasukawa is the reigning RISE kickboxing featherweight champion and a former RISE bantamweight champion. His record in that code is a flawless one, having won all 27 of his fights. He also has a 4-0 record under MMA rules.