The highly anticipated rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in Mexico City didn’t escalate into the chaos that marked their first encounter. Instead, it was another display of Mayweather’s signature dominance in the ring, though the outcome left many in the crowd underwhelmed, leading to a chorus of boos.
Despite the audience’s frustration, Mayweather, now 47, once again showcased his superior skillset against the 31-year-old Gotti, the grandson of the infamous crime boss John Gotti. Throughout the eight-round exhibition match, Mayweather consistently landed punches on Gotti with relative ease. However, despite his precision and control, he never managed to deliver a knockout blow or even visibly stagger his opponent.
After the fight, Mayweather was quick to commend Gotti’s resilience. “Gotti is tough as nails,” he remarked, acknowledging his opponent’s grit. He also took a moment to express his admiration for Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., a legendary figure in the boxing world, who was present as part of the broadcast team. “Mexico City, I love you guys. Thanks for coming out,” Mayweather added, which was met with cheers from the crowd.
The first bout between Mayweather and Gotti back in June 2023 had ended in chaos after the referee stopped the fight in the sixth round due to excessive trash-talking and clinching. Gotti, clearly frustrated, had attempted to continue the fight, leading to an all-out brawl as members of both fighters’ camps stormed the ring.
This time, while the tension was palpable at moments, the fight did not spiral out of control. Gotti showed signs of irritation when the rounds extended beyond the agreed-upon two minutes, and Mayweather appeared visibly annoyed when the referee warned him for punching the back of Gotti’s head. At one point, the referee was even replaced. Nevertheless, the match proceeded without any major incidents, much to the disappointment of those hoping for a more dramatic spectacle.
In the end, the bout concluded with Mayweather and Gotti sharing a sportsmanlike embrace, a far cry from the chaos of their first meeting. “He’s my guy,” Mayweather said, wrapping an arm around Gotti’s shoulder. “But we had to put on a show for the people. And I want to thank Gotti for being a man of his word and for running it back with me.”
As for what’s next for the undefeated Mayweather, it seems another exhibition match is not on the cards—at least not with Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. During a post-fight interview, Mayweather warmly embraced the 62-year-old Chavez, referring to him as one of the legends he looks up to. “He’s one of the legends I look up to, and he paved the way for me,” Mayweather said, expressing his deep respect for the former champion.
However, when asked about the possibility of an exhibition match with Chavez, Mayweather was quick to dismiss the idea. “He’s older now, and if I do an exhibition with him it’s not going to look good for me,” he admitted, acknowledging the potential mismatch that such a fight would present.
Earlier in the week, Mayweather hinted at the possibility of continuing his exhibition career, revealing that he had been offered a lucrative deal for three more exhibition matches. “We just got a call about a three-exhibition deal, and it’s a crazy number. …So, we don’t know,” Mayweather said, leaving his future plans somewhat ambiguous.
While Mayweather’s performance against Gotti was another testament to his enduring skill, it’s clear that his focus is now shifting towards carefully selecting his future opponents and ensuring that any matches he takes on align with his legacy. Whether or not he accepts the three-exhibition deal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Mayweather’s ability to draw a crowd and generate excitement remains as strong as ever, even as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career.