Floyd Mayweather Sets Sights on Casino Empire in Japan and Pacquiao Rematch

  • Mayweather is negotiating a rematch with Pacquiao to fund a casino empire in Japan
  • Okinawa has been identified as a possible location for his ambitious casino hotel
  • Fighter plans to take advantage of Japan's decision to allow casinos to be built in 2020
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Reports suggest Floyd Mayweather is negotiating a mega-money rematch against Manny Pacquiao to finance a casino empire in Japan. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Ambitious plans

Legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather has big plans for Japan. The fighter has reportedly set his sights on building a casino empire in the Asian country.

A former opponent is also on his mind. Mayweather is believed to be negotiating a rematch against Manny Pacquiao. The fight would be hosted in the Far East to raise funds to finance the construction of Mayweather’s very own casino hotel in Japan.

Mayweather’s interest in Asia

The 42-year-old boxer launched TMT Japan in Tokyo this past June after announcing a new partnership with Kyoei boxing gym and management company Libera.

Mayweather’s goal is to create a casino hotel based in Okinawa

As gambling moves forward in Japan, Mayweather is looking to be heavily involved. Mayweather’s goal is to create a casino hotel based in Okinawa.

Mayweather is in the process of buying a home in Tokyo, so he would be based in Japan. Instead of traveling to the United States and back to Japan, planning exhibitions in the Far East makes sense. He plans on staging fights in the region instead of having to travel.

Mayweather discussed his idea for exhibitions in Japan back in June. He stated that negotiations were progressing, but nothing was official at that time. He is open to taking on any opponent, even those who specialize in MMA or kickboxing.

According to Jay Lau, a Hong Kong-based boxing promoter, Mayweather came to the region to set up TMT Japan because the Asian country is allowing casino’s to be built in 2020.

Lau said: “There are casinos opening in Cambodia, Singapore, and China as well. It means boxing will get more and more popular. The Manny rematch is the biggest thing that can happen.”

Focusing on Pacquiao

When discussions of the casino idea and exhibition matches were first revealed, Mayweather stated he was open to non-boxing opponents, so potentially anyone was on the table. However, once the idea of a rematch with Pacquiao arose, the boxer decided to focus on negotiating that fight only.

it seems bookmakers would put the odds firmly in Pacquiao’s favor

Pacquiao is still an active world champion in the boxing world, while Mayweather’s last fight was against young Tenshin Nasukawa. If the two boxing legends were to clash again, it seems bookmakers would put the odds firmly in Pacquiao’s favor.

Japan embracing gambling

Mayweather’s plan to create a casino comes at a time when the Japanese government is setting up their new gambling industry.

Casinos will be built in 2020 and a five-member casino commission will be set up in early January. The new independent body will be in charge of overseeing security matters within the casino sector.

The commission will be in charge of completing background checks as well as investigations of operations selected to manage the Japanese casino resorts. Staff members of the facilities will be included in investigations.

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