Japan's 'Ninja Boy' aims to stun Mayweather

TOKYO: Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, who aims to make history by defeating boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr, claims his left-hook is like a “bolt of lightning” that will “change the world.”

The baby-faced southpaw with a blond quiff, who is only a few months out of his teens, was barely known outside his home country before the shock announcement of his New Year’s Eve fight with the unbeaten Mayweather. record as a professional kickboxer with 20 wins by knockout. He has four wins out of four in mixed martial arts.

Promoters RIZIN said that Nasukawa — or “Ninja Boy” as they dubbed him — had “become one of the most popular fighters in Japan, and perhaps the best combat sports prospect the country has ever seen.”

There are still no details as to under what rules the fight will be held — whether kicks will be allowed, for example — but Nasukawa claimed after the bout was announced he had “a punch that boxers don’t have.”

“I don’t care what the rules are. I want to be the man who changes history. I’ll do that with these fists, with one punch — just watch,” said Nasukawa.

Even Mayweather acknowledged that Nasukawa was “an unbelievable talent”, praising his lithe, “gym rat” physique.

“He’s very special, he’s fast, he’s strong. I’m older now and when it comes to experience, I have it on my side. He has youth on his side and he’s going to bring a lot of excitement,” said the 41year-old American.

Nasukawa now weighs 56.8 kilogrammes and is also giving four inches away in height to Mayweather, who won world titles in five different weight classes.

“Our weight class is different, but it means nothing to me,” said Nasukawa.

Nasukawa is good with his hands in other areas than punching, saying he is a fan of knitting and sewing – as well as indulging in traditional Japanese “sento” baths.