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‘The eyes don’t lie, chico’: Edgar Berlanga predicts 6th-round KO of ‘Canelo’ Alvarez

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Edgar Berlanga Canelo Alvarez

It’s the first big rodeo for Edgar Berlanga, and he’s digging in his boots and riding high in the saddle as he hopes to rope the super-middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

The bout between Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) and Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) will take place on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but a precursor clash, albeit verbally, has already taken place during a contentious pre-fight media tour.

Alvarez gave Berlanga pelvic gyrations and spanked the air in front of him during a profanity-laced lashing, while Berlanga whipped back with combinations of expletives, indicating he’d use both brains and brawn to beat the future hall of famer.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois could break Tyson Fury record as bid made for heavyweight fight

Berlanga may be biting off more than he can chew for his first world-title shot, but “The Chosen One” has no choice but to roll with the punches during a career-defining fight that has landed sooner than it should have.

“The trash talk is a part of the sport – fuck him,” Berlanga said. “There is no more respect for any opponent once the contract is signed. It’s business. He’s going to try to kill me in front of my family. This is gladiator shit, and I am going to do the same thing to him. On my son, let me drop dead – I never fear no one. I’m going to go out on my shield, and he better go out on his.

“I didn’t like it when he smiled at me at the press conference. I felt like he was taking me as a joke. I know his intentions. I’m from the hood in New York. If you are smiling at my face that is disrespectful.”

Berlanga is portraying a world of confidence despite not having the dossier to justify it against a caliber of opponent like Alvarez. After starting his career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts, the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican has fizzled and lost steam while stepping up in competition. With just 72 rounds fought, compared to 496 from Alvarez, he will have a steep learning curve to account for Alvarez’s incredible experience.

“I am training for IQ, intelligence, and being smart,” said Berlanga. “Anyone who beat Canelo had that.

“At the end of the day, I’m a star myself, for real; for real. He was going to fight either me or David Benavidez, or eventually retire, and I was going to come in and take his spot. I have everything. I can fight. I look good. I’m appealing. I’m Puerto Rican with an island behind me. I have the whole package, which is what you need in the sport of boxing to become a star.”

Berlanga says he will not make the same mistakes as Alvarez’s most recent opponent Jaime Munguia, who suffered a knockdown and a unanimous decision defeat in May.

“Munguia is long, big and throws a lot of punches but he fell for a lot of Canelo’s traps,” said Berlanga. “He gave up his height and reach and moved forward a lot. I thought it was going to be a way better fight for Munguia.”

Berlanga then lobbed personal jabs at Alvarez while predicting a sixth-round knockout, a stoppage two rounds sooner than his adversary predicted.

“A lot of Mexicans don’t like [Alvarez],” said Berlanga. “I go to Mexico a lot. They don’t like him. His people are my fans. They like us. Puerto Ricans don’t hate on me crazy like that. He’s a [shit-eating] person. He’s shit. He has money, but money doesn’t make you. It’s about how you treat people. People love me because of that.

“He’s just talking shit [saying the fight is going to be easy]. I don’t give a fuck. He knows what’s up. I looked right through him. Like Tony Montana said in the movie Scarface, ‘The eyes don’t lie, chico’. And you can see it in my eyes, I don’t fear no man.”

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Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois could break Tyson Fury record as bid made for heavyweight fight

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Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua’s fight with Daniel Dubois could be about to break a British attendance record.

Joshua will take on Dubois in a huge heavyweight scrap for the IBF world title on September 21 at Wembley Stadium, with over 90,000 fans watching on after the event sold out last week.

Previously in 2021, the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte set the British boxing attendance record with 94,000 attending the clash after special dispensation was granted by the local authority.

Tyson Fury

JUST IN: “It’s criminal Joshua and Fury never faced each other – I don’t see it happening now”

AJ and ‘Dynamite’ were set to fight in front of 90,000 fans, but Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh alongside Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren are not done selling tickets just yet.

The Middle East fight maker has revealed a request has been made to extend the capacity.

He wrote on social media: “We have submitted a request to increase the capacity at Wembley Stadium for the highly anticipated Joshua vs Dubois fight at #RiyadhSeasonCard Wembley Edition.

“We are aiming to set a record for the largest boxing attendance in the history of Wembley Stadium.”

It would be a monumental achievement and could push the attendance up to 95,000 or more to ensure it breaks the record.

The request will be subject to security checks and clearances from the local authorities, and will need to be approved before more tickets can go on sale.

Fury entertained a 94,000 record crowd in an epic 2021 event

It already promises to be a stacked event, with a jam-packed undercard featuring Joshua Buatsi and Liam Smith set to come before the hotly-anticipated main-event.

Liam Gallagher will also perform on the night, which came before the news that he has settled his differences with brother Noel and legendary band Oasis will be back on tour in 2025.

Some huge boxing events have headlined the national stadium since it has been rebuilt including the famous rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves which set the record originally with 80,000 spectators.

Joshua himself has even fought at Wembley since that famous clash, with his two clashes against Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin on the hallowed turf surpassing Froch’s record before Fury vs Whyte took the throne.

It promises to be a huge occasion inside and outside of the ring, particularly for Joshua who has the opportunity to become a three-time world champion.

He will go in as a favourite given his recent form under new trainer Ben Davison, having won his last two fights over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou with devastating stoppages.

A huge clash with Tyson Fury could be on the table in 2025 if he wins, and the ‘Gypsy King’ is able to get revenge over Oleksandr Usyk in December.

And Fury himself wants to return to Wembley to face AJ in his final bow.

He said earlier this year: “Styles make fights and my style for him [Joshua] is kryptonite.

“I’ve always said AJ is built to measure for me and just because he knocked out that guy, it’s not the same.

“He couldn’t on any of those right hands on Usyk, a way smaller and lighter man. Boxing is a very difficult game. It’s changing all the time.

“When I’ve got through with the rabbit [Usyk] then we go down for AJ. And that’s the fight of Britain.

“Hopefully we do one fight in Saudi Arabia and one fight at Wembley. A showdown forever, a sign-out for the GK.”

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‘It’s criminal Joshua and Fury never faced each other – I don’t see it happening now’

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Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury

Ricky Hatton has slammed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua for failing to step into the ring together – saying it’s ‘criminal’ the fight never happened when the boxers were in their prime

Ricky Hatton has slammed the failure of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to fight as “criminal”.

The Hitman has hit out at the two British heavyweight superstars for as of yet not putting on the show that the public want in the ring. Hatton also made his concerns clear about repercussions from Fury and Joshua’s scheduled bouts against Oleksandr Usyk in December and Daniel Dubois in September.

🚨 Ricky Hatton gives honest assessment on potential Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua clash

READ: Canelo’s Unfinished Business: A Rematch with Bivol

Hatton admitted that Fury looks past his prime following his performance against Usyk and previously against Francis Ngannou. “It depends on the next performances. Tyson didn’t look great against Oleksandr Usyk,” Hatton told Action Network.

“Don’t get me wrong it was a good fight, I’m being a little bit unfair there because fighters like Usyk only come along every now and again, he’s exceptional.

“But he wasn’t great against Francis Ngannou, I think he would agree with me on that one. We’re all starting to think has Tyson got too many miles on the clock now? It seems to be the case after the last couple of fights.”

The former light-welterweight world champion admitted he fears that both fighters’ best days are behind them, saying it’s “criminal” the two Britons didn’t fight years ago.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in this one. But I don’t see the fight happening now, I think we’ve lost our chance and it was criminal it didn’t happen a few years ago when they were both in their prime,” Hatton continued.

“But I said I think Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury has a good chance of beating Oleksandr Usyk if he tweaks a few little things, so it is capable of happening but I just hope we haven’t lost our chance.

“That’s the biggest fight in boxing and certainly British boxing history. If somehow Daniel Dubois ends up winning or Tyson doesn’t win and they don’t end up fighting each other then I think boxing has f***** up.

“It’s heavyweight boxing and the apple cart can get upset with one punch in boxing and then there’s rematch clauses. Sometimes the fights that we want don’t seem to happen but Tyson has a good chance of beating Usyk and I fancy AJ to come through the Dubois fight.

“But I’m more confident of Joshua winning his next fight rather than Tyson. It would be criminal if that fight doesn’t happen. Let’s have our fingers crossed as boxing fans.”

Hatton lauded Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh for his impact on the sport and for hosting some of the biggest fights in recent years. “(What) Turki Alalshikh has done for boxing (is incredible). He’s brought all the big fights together and for everyone to work together which is really good for boxing,” he said.

However, Hatton continued that a Fury and Joshua showdown should not be taken away from the British crowd, he added: “As much as I think our fight fans would appreciate what Turki Alalshikh has done for our sport, as British boxing fans if AJ and Tyson come through, please tell me we’re not expecting Fury and Joshua to fight in Saudi?

“I’m not being disrespectful to Turki Alalshikh, he’s been what our sport has needed.

“No disrespect to them but certain fights need to be in the United States and certain fights need to be in the UK. I’m not saying you can’t have the fights in Saudi but certain fights like AJ and Tyson Fury can only be in one place.”

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“He is Just a Big Old Milk Jug”: Jake Paul drags Tyson Fury into debate over Mike Tyson boxing fight

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Jake Paul Mike Tyson

Jake Paul will take on heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in November in a fight which has divided boxing fans

Jake Paul has compared himself to Tyson Fury ahead of his controversial fight with Mike Tyson.

Paul was due to take on heavyweight legend Tyson last month but the rivals were forced to postpone the bout until November when Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up. Paul instead took on bare-knuckle fighter and former UFC star Mike Perry, knocking him out in the sixth round.

Mike Tyson Jake Paul

JUST IN: “He can still knock your head into another dimension”: Jake Paul Should Be Weary Of Mike Tyson

Before losing weight in order to fight Perry, Paul claimed to have bulked up to 230lb in preparation for facing former undisputed world champion Tyson. That led to the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ branding the YouTube

“It’s peak male performance bod, and that is fat,” he said on his podcast. “I mean look at Tyson Fury for example. He is just a big old milk jug and look what he’s done.” Fury, whose brother Tommy handed Paul his only career defeat last year, is preparing for his own fight later this year, his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Before Paul’s fight with Tyson was postponed in May, the latter said: “I don’t know if he’s in his prime. He’s fat. He should be lean and mean and he’s fat and funky. I saw him with his shirt off though and he’s fat.”

Paul responded to Tyson’s jibe by saying: “Hey, Buster Douglas was fat. Am I right? I know, but you know Buster Douglas, I’m better. I’m going to end you quicker than he did and you’ll remember that forever. You started me off. I appreciate that. Mike, I love you. I love you like a father loves his son, but I must discipline you. You’re going down, man.”

Tyson has not fought since a bore draw in his exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr in 2020 while his last professional fight saw him quit on his stool after five rounds against Kevin McBride almost 20 years ago.

At 58, he is 30 years Paul’s senior, but insists he can KO the social media star. “We’ve got a YouTuber fighting the greatest fighter who ever lived. He may have been in the ring with people who have the same intentions, but the actuality, no. As soon as I catch this guy its going to be totally over, he’ going to run.”

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“He can still knock your head into another dimension”: Jake Paul Should Be Weary Of Mike Tyson

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Jake Paul Mike Tyson

Hollywood star Russell Crowe recently chatted with the infamous Joe Rogan and shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

Originally scheduled for July 20, the controversial match between Tyson and Paul was canceled due to a flare-up of stomach ulcers plaguing ‘Iron Mike’. Paul was quick to accept a fight with former UFC fighter turned BKFC star Mike Perry, and Paul would leave the ring as the victor after knocking out his opponent in the sixth round.

Now scheduled for November 15, the Tyson vs. Paul fight remains a spectacle that has divided many fans and fighters alike. Many believe the age gap between the 58-year-old boxing legend and young 27-year-old upstart is too prolific. Others, however, are not ready to count ‘Iron Mike’ out and attest to how much of a different beast the man is.

Acting legend Russell Crowe calls 58-year-old Mike Tyson boxing Jake Paul 'circus' fight

JUST IN: Canelo’s Unfinished Business: A Rematch with Bivol

Speaking to Joe Rogan, Russell Crowe delved into the enigma that is the legend of Mike Tyson. He spoke on the man’s prowess and admitted that he could still do some damage despite his age.

”58-year-old Mike Tyson is not 50-year-old Mike Jones that lives down the street,” Crowe said. “It’s a different kind of human being. He can still knock your head into another dimension if he can catch you.”

”I was terrified of him as a boxer,” Russell Crowe continued. “He was terrifying. Even when I met him backstage at a stadium one time at a fight, I was like, ‘I’m still terrified of you’…What bothers me with this whole thing is that he’s got to kind of slide back into that warrior, and I’m just not sure that he needed to do it.”

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BOXING

Canelo’s Unfinished Business: A Rematch with Bivol

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Canelo Alvarez Dmitry Bivol

Canelo Alvarez will defend his unified super middleweight world titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14.

Roughly a month later on October 12, Artur Beterbiev clashes with Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight crown.

While appearing on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Alvarez said not only will he be watching that fight but he’s interested in possibly trying to avenge his May 2022 unanimous decision loss to Bivol at 175 pounds.

Dmitry Bivol outboxes, outpoints Canelo Alvarez in stunning upset and star-making performance - The Ring

CHECK OUT VIDEO: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“Yeah, if it’s possible one day, it’s the only fight I make one more time at 175 with that rematch with Bivol,” Alvarez told both Usman and Cejudo. “I think it’s the only fight I will [move] up and fight with him.”

Prior to that loss in being drowned out by Bivol’s volume punching, Alvarez had knocked out Sergey Kovalev to win the light heavyweight world championship in November 2019, showing he is capable of winning at that weight.

But how does Alvarez expect Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) to fare against a battering Beterbiev who counts all 20 of his victories by knockout?

“I think if Bivol has the condition and the very good game plan to go there in and out and do all these things, I think he wins,” Alvarez said. “But if not, if he goes a little bit in the corner or in the ropes, it’s going to be hard for him because Beterbiev is a very hard fighter.”

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CRAWFORD MAY RETIRE WITHOUT CANELO FIGHT

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Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford could retire if he does not get the Canelo Alvarez fight.

That is according to Eddie Hearn. Crawford is a four-weight world champion, having beaten Israil Madrimov in his last fight to win the WBA belt at 154. He is a two-weight undisputed champion, achieving it at 140 and 147. He became the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era by beating Errol Spence Jr. last year.

Crawford called out Canelo after beating Madrimov. It would require him to move up two weight classes. A win makes him one of the best to do it, despite his current accomplishments. While it won’t be for undisputed after Canelo was stripped of his IBF belt, it is still a legacy-defining fight. Alvarez has only lost to Dmitry Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr., showing Crawford’s tough task.

Terence Crawford Canelo Alvarez

READ: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“I don’t think Crawford wants a Boots fight.  I don’t think Crawford will fight again unless he fights Canelo Alvarez because he’s got money, he’s getting on [in age]. He escaped one in the [Israil] Madrimov fight, and I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz. I don’t think he wants to fight Boots Ennis because he’s looking at these fights and saying, ‘They’re not really legacy mega-fights. I want mega-money, mega-fights, or I’m chilled,’ and good luck to him,” Hearn said

Canelo appears to have dismissed the fight again. He was vocal about Crawford’s last fight, as he questioned whether he was suited to 154. Madrimov landed more power punches than Crawford,

while Bud’s punches were not enough to keep his opponent at bay. Crawford’s reluctance to fight the other 154-pounders suggests he wants to cash out with the Canelo fight. Alvarez said he would get no credit for beating a smaller fighter.

Canelo has also expressed his desire to face other opponents. The David Benavidez fight could still happen if the Saudis put up a big number. Alvarez has said he wanted $200 million to take the fight. The Saudis paid Tyson Fury over $100 million for the two Oleksandr Usyk fights, meaning that a similar figure could tempt Canelo into taking it. Meanwhile, Alvarez stated that he would box Dmitry Bivolagain at 175.

Canelo lost a one-sided unanimous decision in 2022. However, he admitted he had a hand issue which plagued him during the fight. The rematch never happened due to differences over the weight class. Canelo wanted to run things back at 175 to rule out claims that Bivol would be drained at 168.

As for Bivol, the boxer chased a fight at 168 to secure Canelo undisputed title at the time. Alvarez is now not undisputed, meaning a fight at 175 is more likely. Bivol boxes Artur Beterbievon October 12 for the right to become undisputed at 175. Canelo wanted to box the winner.

“Yes it’s possible. It’s the only fight I’d make one more time at 175lbs – the rematch with Bivol,” Canelo said 

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Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight results, highlights: ‘Money’ flexes his skills in exhibition

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Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The retired former champion cruised through the event in Mexico City on Saturday night

Boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematched John Gotti III in an exhibition Saturday night in Mexico City. The fight played out exactly as many expected, and as the first meeting did, with the boxing great simply being a better fighter. Thankfully, the fight did not end in a brawl as was the case in their June 2023 meeting. Despite Mayweather clearly dominating the action, no winner was announced due to the fight being an exhibition.

Mayweather was cautious to not give Gotti opportunities to do effective work, instead leaning heavily on his jab followed by straight right hands to control the action. As the rounds ticked by, Gotti was visibly frustrated by Mayweather’s standard economic and effective approach to the “sweet science.”

Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather boxes John Gotti III soundly in exhibition rematch

Given the fight was an exhibition, featuring eight, two-minute rounds, there was not likely to be any notable result. This has been a standard approach to exhibition fights since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Mayweather only truly bringing his best game in bouts with Japanese kickboxers in fights that would have a result announced at the end.

Like his exhibition fights with the likes of Logan Paul, Mayweather was content to carry the fight through the scheduled time for the bout while clearly being the better of the two men in the ring. At the conclusion of the eighth round, there was no winner announced.

Mayweather and Gotti embraced after the fight, a stark contrast to the brawl that followed their first bout.

Throughout his storied professional career, Mayweather had many notable bouts with Mexican superstars. Having held an exhibition on hostile soil, Mayweather was thankful to the crowd.

“Mexico City,” Mayweather said. “Thanks for coming out.”

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Floyd Mayweather boxes John Gotti III soundly in exhibition rematch

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Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The rematch puts this surprise rivalry to bed.

The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-John Gotti III exhibition rematch didn’t have any excessive trash talk or brawl.

It was just a self-proclaimed “The Best Ever” in Mayweather serving up a boxing clinic over eight two-minute rounds to put this surprise rivalry to bed Saturday night at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, and live on DAZN.

The 47-year-old boxing legend did what he wanted in the ring from establishing the jab to piecing together combinations, touching the body and eluding Gotti III’s shots, while flashing smiles along the way.

Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

 

JUST IN: Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

“We had to put on a show for the people. I want to thank Gotti for being a man of his word,” Mayweather said live on DAZN, while the two men embraced, seemingly burying any lingering bad blood.

Gotti III added: “He still got it.”

The only bit of controversy that the bout included came during the second round when the referee stopped the action to warn Mayweather about punching behind the head to which “Money” repeatedly told him to “move!” In a way, his demands came to fruition as the referee was immediately replaced.

When the action resumed, Mayweather picked up where he left off by re-establishing the jab like clockwork to little resistance as the prodding weapong split Gotti III’s jab.

Gotti III couldn’t figure Mayweather’s sweet science out and there’s no shame in that considering Mayweather’s 50-0 record signals that none of his opponents could resolve his brilliant boxing, either.

After the bout, Mayweather seemingly dismissed the idea of having an exhibition bout with another boxing legend in Julio Cesar Chavez, 62, heaping praise onto the Hall of Famer for paving his way, instead.

Here’s how the entire Mayweather vs. Gotti III rematch main card went.

Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Round by Rounds Updates and Highlights

Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

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Video Highlights: Floyd Mayweather replaces referee mid-fight, dominates John Gotti III in chaotic rematch

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Floyd Mayweather John Gotti III

The great Floyd Mayweather Jr. returned to the boxing ring last night (Sat., Aug. 24, 2024) LIVE on DAZN pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, dominating former opponent John Gotti III in a main event rematch.

These two have a bit of history after their first fight in June 2023 ended with too much trash talk and an in-ring melee. It has taken over a year for Mayweather and Gotti to run it back, but it finally went down late Saturday night. Making things more interesting is the fact that this was the first time “Money” was fighting on Mexican soil.

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III: Round by Rounds Updates and Highlights

Mayweather was toying with Gotti in the early going of the rematch and it frustrated the former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. The two boxers kept talking trash in between rounds as the referee struggled to control the action. Not to mention the same referee made a bad call for a behind-the-head shot by Mayweather. “Money” was not happy and proceeded to protest and scream at the official. Eventually, the call was made to bring in a replacement ref to keep the fight going. It was chaos.

Mayweather did what he always does for the remainder of the fight. He allowed Gotti to get some pop shots off before firing counter punches. “Money” defended nicely, took barely any punishment, and dictated every second of the fight. Gotti was just in there sharing the ring with a legend.

Check out the video highlights below:

 

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