Floyd Mayweather knocked down Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa three times en route to a first-round stoppage in their boxing exhibition at the Saitama Super Arena.

Mayweather, 41, a former five-weight world champion who retired from boxing with a perfect professional record of 50-0 last year, saw off an opponent 21 years his junior.

In a bout that was scheduled for three rounds just outside Tokyo, Nasukawa lasted only two minutes and 20 seconds before his corner threw in the towel.

Mayweather said in the build-up he expected to pocket nine million US dollars (£7.06m) from the fight, which headlined an event organised by Rizin Fighting Federation, a Japanese mixed martial arts organisation.

Mayweather had a 4kg (9lb) weight advantage over Nasukawa, who boasted an unbeaten record in 28 kickboxing bouts and four contests in MMA, with this fight having no bearing on either man’s official record.

Nasukawa, though, reportedly faced a multi-million dollar fine if he attempted to kick out at Mayweather.

A grinning Mayweather started supremely confidently and dropped Nasukawa for the first time with a left hook with barely a minute gone.

A body shot followed by an uppercut saw Nasukawa slump to the canvas again moments later, with the southpaw bravely getting to his feet, albeit on unsteady legs.

A one-two from Mayweather precipitated the end of the contest, much to the disappointment of many fans, who were expecting a lot more from the exhibition.

Interestingly, Mayweather's attire caught the eye too, in particular, his gloves.

It was thought the American had agreed to wear Rizin sponsored gloves for the event.

However, as per The Sun, Mayweather was seen on his own Instagram live video arguing with officials and insisting he wore his preferred Grant gloves, just before the fight.

Despite the initial reported agreement, low and behold, Mayweather got his own way eventually and walked out donning the same brand of gloves he has worn to every fight since 2007.

Of course, it's unlikely a different type of gloves would have changed how the fight panned out, with the outclassed Nasukawa left distraught after his corner finally threw the towel in.