Floyd Mayweather in Hong Kong to discuss potential mega-money exhibition fight
- Unbeaten boxer is holding talks with DEF Promotions over possibility of staging an exhibition in the city
- ‘Money’ was in Tokyo a few days ago where he said he hopes to fight more bouts in Japan in the future, but he could opt for Hong Kong next
In a surprise visit to Hong Kong, boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jnr is in the city, apparently trying to wrangle a deal to fight here.
Preliminary discussions with the 42-year-old and his Mayweather Promotions team have taken place, the South China Morning Post can confirm.
American great Mayweather has been in talks with Jay Lau Chi-yuen of DEF Promotions, the one-time manager of Hong Kong super flyweight stand-out Rex Tso Sing-yu.
Lau’s son, Jayson, on Friday posted a photo of himself with Mayweather on his Facebook page as they met in Hong Kong. Jayson Lau had lunch with Mayweather, although it was unclear as to what was discussed and whether the possible exhibition would be staged this year or in 2020, as Mayweather tries to promote his “The Money Team” (TMT) brand in Asia.
What is clear is that a Mayweather exhibition in Hong Kong would not come cheap. DEF Promotions would have to come up with big money to make the “retired” 42-year-old – a five-time world champion with a professional record of 50-0 – even remotely interested in making it happen here.
That leaves many unanswered questions such as whether there is a venue big enough in Hong Kong to stage such an exhibition.
And could DEF Promotions come up with the millions of US dollars required for Mayweather to showcase his legendary skills in the city?
In Tokyo last December, Mayweather boasted on social media that he made US$9 million for dispatching Nasukawa. Earlier this week he was back in Tokyo where he announced in a press conference that he would be competing in more exhibition bouts in Japan in the future.
Mayweather said in Tokyo: “You guys have the 2020 Olympics, so we look forward to getting our team over here and making so many things happen.
“Of course, we took the TMT brand and made it worldwide and not just kept it in the States. We believe TMT Tokyo can be huge. We’ve been speaking about having more exhibitions over here in Japan. Not just myself, but also some other fighters under the Mayweather Promotions banner.”
Mayweather’s biggest exhibition boxing clash was against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
The showdown took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada and was set at 12 rounds. It recorded one of the highest pay-per-view buy rates in history.
Not surprisingly, Mayweather proved too good, beating the Irishman by technical knockout in the 10th round.
After the dust had settled, the pay cheque for “Money” was reportedly more than US$300 million while his opponent collected US$100 million.
