• Floyd Mayweather lands a blow on Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura during their exhibition boxing match at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on September 25, 2022. AFP
    Floyd Mayweather lands a blow on Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura during their exhibition boxing match at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on September 25, 2022. AFP
  • Floyd Mayweather watches as the referee stops the fight towards the end of the second round. AP
    Floyd Mayweather watches as the referee stops the fight towards the end of the second round. AP
  • Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao arrives to greet the audience. AP
    Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao arrives to greet the audience. AP
  • Mikuru Asakura in action against Floyd Mayweather. AP
    Mikuru Asakura in action against Floyd Mayweather. AP
  • Floyd Mayweather throws a punch at Mikuru Asakura. AP
    Floyd Mayweather throws a punch at Mikuru Asakura. AP
  • Mayweather takes control against Mikuru Asakura in Saitama. Reuters
    Mayweather takes control against Mikuru Asakura in Saitama. Reuters
  • Floyd Mayweather throws a left. AP
    Floyd Mayweather throws a left. AP
  • Mayweather hugs Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura after the knockout finish. AFP
    Mayweather hugs Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura after the knockout finish. AFP
  • Manny Pacquiao speaks before the exhibition match. AP
    Manny Pacquiao speaks before the exhibition match. AP
  • Mayweather watches as Mikuru Asakura gets a count from the referee. AP
    Mayweather watches as Mikuru Asakura gets a count from the referee. AP
  • Mikuru Asakura tries to get up after being knocked down by Floyd Mayweather. AFP
    Mikuru Asakura tries to get up after being knocked down by Floyd Mayweather. AFP
  • Mayweather is goaded by Mikuru Asakura. AFP
    Mayweather is goaded by Mikuru Asakura. AFP
  • Floyd Mayweather arrives for his exhibition match against Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura. AFP
    Floyd Mayweather arrives for his exhibition match against Japanese mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura. AFP

Floyd Mayweather confirmed for Global Titans Dubai clash with YouTube star Deji


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Floyd Mayweather will headline the inaugural Global Titans event in Dubai in November, where he will face Youtuber Deji in an exhibition boxing bout.

The former five-weight world champion, fresh off another exhibition victory in Japan at the weekend, will top the bill at Coca-Cola Arena on November 13, organisers confirmed on Monday.

Mayweather, 45, was initially to headline Global Titans’ debut in May, on the Burl Al Arab helipad, but the event was called off following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

Mayweather went on to fight Don Moore, his former sparring partner, in Abu Dhabi one week later.

Having last week confirmed his future fighting career would comprise only exhibition events – he retired undefeated from professional boxing in 2017 - Mayweather defeated Japanese MMA star Mikura Asakura in Saitama by second-round TKO.

The American had last week claimed to be in talks to rematch UFC star Conor McGregor in another boxing bout – the pair met five years ago in a hugely lucrative clash – only for his Irish rival to respond on social media that he was not interested.

Deji, meanwhile, is the brother of well-known YouTuber KSI. He has taken part in three combat sports exhibitions thus far, including a debut stoppage defeat to Jake Paul in 2018.

Updated: September 26, 2022, 1:22 PM