Arguably the greatest boxer the sport has ever seen returns to the ring tonight as Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks to end his surprise rivalry with John Gotti III in their exhibition rematch.
It all takes place at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Their first fight ended in a sixth-round no contest last year when the referee brought a halt to the action due to excessive trash talk, culminating in a massive brawl between the fighters’ camps.
Gotti III has said the two are going to have to put fighting over boxing in this rematch and here’s their chance.
Will the 47-year-old Mayweather put on a boxing clinic and make it look easy? Or will Gotti III pull off what would be a mammoth upset of the boxing legend?
We are just over a year removed from the original Mayweather-Gotti III exhibition match ending in a no-contest due to excessive trash talk that sparked a brawl between the fighters’ camps. Tonight, Mayweather and Gotti III will look to end their surprise rivalry with this exhibition rematch. Mayweather is of course arguably the greatest of all time with a pristine 50-0 record including 27 KOs. The 47-year-old legend meets Gotti III who is 2-0 with 1 KO.
John Gotti III makes his walk
He’ll have his work cut out for him going against arguably the greatest of all time in Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Here comes Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After a lengthy wait for some gamesmanship, Mayweather, draped in colors of the Mexican flag, makes his walk flanked by Los Angeles Lakers’ star Anthony Davis.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III; Round 1
There’s the bell and this one is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds. Mayweather comes out trying to assert the jab before digging to the body with a left. He then goes back to snapping that jab. Gotti III is 20 pounds heavier than “Money” Mayweather who is the more active boxer early on. Mayweather is now splitting Gotti III’s guard with the jab. There seems to be a bit of confusion of the length of the round, but the opening frame comes to an end. Even though this bout is an exhibition and not being scored, we’re going to keep score here just to give you an idea about how it’s going. (10-9 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 2
DAZN’s announcers report that Gotti III’s corner is already speaking up about what they feel is punching behind the head from Mayweather. Just as that’s said, the referee warns Mayweather to be mindful of rabbit punches. Mayweather responds by telling the ref to “move” repeatedly. Each fighter has a member of his corner step up onto the ring apron and WOW! We have a swapping of referees! How often do we ever see that!? The action resumes with Mayweather going back to the jab like clockwork. Gotti III is getting more active with his hands. A bizarre second round comes to a close. (10-9 Mayweather, 20-18 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 3
Mayweather is now measuring Gotti III up and piecing together combinations to which the latter looks to the referee. The boxing legend ducks out of harm’s way during the waning seconds. (10-9 Mayweather, 30-27 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 4
Mayweather’s steady stream of jabs give way to him evading a left hook from Gotti III and flashing a smile. Mayweather is touching Gotti III with light shots to the body before he gets a body shot in return. (10-9 Mayweather, 40-36 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 5
Gotti III’s corner is imploring their man to rough the boxing legend up and get more physical. He might have to take shots from Mayweather to land some of his own. A counter uppercut catches Gotti III off guard. Mayweather is splitting Gotti III’s guard with a peppering of jabs before ducking and eluding shots. At 47, Mayweather’s reflexes are still sharp. (10-9 Mayweather, 50-45 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 6
Mayweather showing a high guard, which could mean he’s going to sit on power shots this round. Gotti III immediately responds with a glancing right hook. Moments later, he adds a left hook that partially lands. But Mayweather sneaks in some body shots and smiles out of the clinch. Fans in Mexico City are asking for more action. (10-9 Mayweather, 60-54 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 7
Mayweather starts the round showing a willingness to fight in the pocket. He’s sitting on hard shots to the body. Gotti III peppers Mayweather to the body with a jab before “TBE” storms back with unanswered shots to the body, mixing punches in upstairs, too. (10-9 Mayweather, 70-63 Mayweather)
Mayweather vs. Gotti III; Round 8
The eighth and final round of this exhibition rematch — here we go! Gotti III should just let his hands go at this point. Instead, it’s Mayweather piecing together a combination that goes from the body, upstairs and back to the body. The action briefly is paused due to another rabbit punch warning. Gotti III is letting his hands go but it’s the final 20 seconds. Mayweather is spouting some words to Gotti III’s corner and there’s the final bell. The two men embrace, salute each other’s corners and that’s it. (10-9 Mayweather, 80-72 Mayweather)
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