Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya is not buying that Floyd Mayweather had any intention of fighting kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa on December 31 in Tokyo, Japan.
The contest was announced last Monday, when Mayweather appeared at a press conference in Tokyo, with Nasukawa, to announce their clash - which was being bankrolled by MMA promotion Rizin.
As BoxingScene.com reported, the bout was expected to be nothing more than a three round exhibition, likely with both fighters using MMA-style gloves.
But two days after announcing the December bout, Mayweather took to social media to claims he was blindsided by the announced event - and he quickly withdrew from the contest.
According to Mayweather, the bout with Nasukawa was supposed to be a "private" fight, held behind closed doors, for a small audience of wealthy spectators. He claims to have had no idea that Rizin was planning to televise the bout or have it headline an entire planned event.
De La Hoya believes Mayweather was simply looking for some quick attention in the press.
“I think he just wants attention. That’s all it is, and Floyd is a fighter who should just stick to boxing," De La Hoya told MMA Junkie.
“Making up these special rules, it’s ridiculous. If you’re going to box, then box inside the ring. If you want to become an MMA fighter, why limit yourself and set the rules so there’s no kicks or grappling?
“If you want to get involved and be in the MMA world, then do it. Don’t set the rules. I just think he should stick to boxing. That’s what he knows best. But he can’t help himself. If he ever fights a Khabib inside the octagon, c’mon, we all know what’s going to happen. That fight’s going to end in one minute – or 30 seconds.”
Mayweather has been out of the ring since stopping UFC superstar Conor McGregor in August 2017 in a cross-sport boxing match. After that fight, Mayweather announced his retirement.
De La Hoya was one of the biggest critics of Mayweather's bout with McGregor.
“Floyd is a fighter who knows how to pick and choose his opponents at the right time for his benefit,” De La Hoya said. “When he fought Conor McGregor, the reason why I was hugely against it is because it was unfair to Conor. It was totally unfair to Conor McGregor. I mean, Conor is not a boxer. He’s not a boxer fighting 12 rounds, and it was totally unfair, but these are the things that Floyd does to his advantage.”
