In Mexico City this week, Floyd Mayweather Jr. sat next to John Gotti III, the grandson of the New York crime boss, in a room full of boxing officials, dignitaries and inquiring minds.
“Why did you decide to come out from retirement?’’ a reporter asked.
Mayweather, 47, grinned.
“This is retirement for me,’’ he said.
This Floyd Mayweather Jr. Exhibition Tour – now on stop No. 8, a rematch vs. Gotti, is scheduled for eight rounds Saturday night. The billionaire boxer still is throwing punches and cashing sizable checks.
Though Mayweather ended his professional boxing career in 2017 with a 10th-round TKO of Conor McGregor, his gloves never had time to collect dust. Mayweather has fought in seven exhibitions, including one against Logan Paul, and proven to be as savvy a businessman as a boxer.
Case in point: John Gotti Jr. said it was Mayweather who reached out to them years ago after Mayweather learned the grandson of the late mobster was competing in MMA. Mayweather, who’s as skilled at selling a fight as winning one, offered Gotti III a chance to fight him in the boxing ring, according to Gotti Jr. Why?
In what sounded like an appeal to PPV customers, he said, “If youse know anything about the Gotti family, you know we’re fighting son bitches,’’ John Gotti Jr. said earlier this week. “We fight the government. We fight anybody that wants to fight us.’’
On rolls the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Exhibition Tour.
The Undercard
The main event between Mayweather and Gotti was preceded by several bouts, all of which were notable for their action-packed nature, with several knockouts and close decisions. Here is a breakdown of the undercard:
Curmel Moton vs. Victor Vazquez
This fight was a quick one, as Curmel Moton needed less than a minute to dispatch Victor Vazquez, who was making a return to the ring after an eight-year layoff. Moton, mentored by Mayweather, has fought five times in less than a year, and delivered his fourth knockout in this bout. The one thing worth noting: Vazquez (5-3-1) was coming back from an eight-year layoff. It would be no surprise if Moton’s KO combo keeps him away from the ring even longer.
Victor Ortiz vs. Damian Coria
This was an exhibition match, meaning there was no official scoring, and this fight felt like it from the beginning. It was a slow-paced affair with little power behind the punches. Ortiz, who looked to be in better shape than expected, was able to land a few solid punches, but Coria showed more speed and quickness throughout the fight. While the crowd booed the lack of action, the bout ended without injury or insult, and Ortiz even kissed Coria on the check at the end of the fight.
Alan Picasso vs. Azat Hovhannisyan
This was a 12-round bout that saw Picasso emerge as the victor via unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 120-108). Picasso, a local favorite, impressed with his speed and power, landing several big shots throughout the bout. Hovhannisyan, on the other hand, was plagued by low blows, which ultimately cost him a point deduction. Despite his challenges, Hovhannisyan still managed to land some powerful punches of his own, making this a truly exciting fight.
Cecilia Rodriguez vs. Arlenn Sanchez
This was an eight-round, light flyweight bout that saw Rodriguez earn a unanimous decision (78-74, 80-72, 79-74). Rodriguez proved to be the more accurate fighter, landing a steady stream of punches throughout the bout. Sanchez, on the other hand, fought with heart and determination, but ultimately wasn’t able to overcome Rodriguez’s superior accuracy and precision.
Cesar Vaca vs. Luis Rodriguez
This was a 10-round super middleweight bout that saw Vaca emerge as the victor via majority decision (95-95, 97-94, 98-92). Vaca displayed incredible footwork and defense, effectively evading Rodriguez’s powerful left hand and landing a steady diet of crisp punches. Rodriguez, an emerging knockout artist, was unable to catch Vaca, who used his quickness and footwork to his advantage throughout the bout.
Aaron Silva vs. Alberto Artiga
This was a super middleweight bout that saw Silva emerge victorious via TKO in the third round. Silva, who came out strong, landed a powerful left that almost dropped Artiga in the second round. In the third, Silva’s barrage of punches prompted the referee to stop the fight. Artiga, who took the fight on 24 hours’ notice, fought bravely but was simply outmatched by Silva’s power and aggression.
The Main Event: Mayweather vs. Gotti III
The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight is expected to begin at about midnight ET. The fight will be broadcast on DAZN and PPV.com, and will cost $49.99 (plus subscription).
The two fighters first met in 2023, with that fight ending in a brawl after a sixth-round stoppage. This time around, both fighters are hoping for a more controlled and professional fight.
Experts are divided on how the fight will go, with some predicting a stoppage victory for Mayweather, while others believe the fight will go the distance. We will bring you live round-by-round updates of the main event as it unfolds.
Pre-Fight Buzz
Anthony Davis, the NBA icon, is in Mexico for the fight and has been seen with Mayweather, fueling speculation that the Lakers power forward could even walk out with Mayweather to the ring. There are even rumors that Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves' star, might be joining Davis as Mayweather's entourage.
The History of the Rivalry
Mayweather and Gotti's initial meeting last year ended in chaos, when a mass brawl broke out between both teams. John Gotti, the late grandfather of Mayweather's opponent tonight, remains one of the most powerful mob bosses of all time, 22 years on from his death. Gotti was the head of the feared Gambino crime family. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1992 after being convicted of murder and other counts, before dying behind bars a decade later. Ahead of his rematch with Mayweather, Gotti III revealed what his grandfather would have made of the mass brawl that broke out last time.
A Look Back at Floyd Mayweather’s Exhibition Career
Mayweather’s exhibition career has been a lucrative venture for the boxer, as he has cashed in on his legendary status and name recognition, but it has also generated a considerable amount of controversy. Some fans have argued that Mayweather’s exhibitions are a disgrace to the sport of boxing, while others have argued that they are simply a way for Mayweather to entertain fans and make money.
Whatever your perspective on Mayweather’s exhibition career, there’s no denying that it has been successful. Mayweather has fought in a number of high-profile exhibitions, including against Logan Paul and Don Moore. He has also made a considerable amount of money from these fights. While there is no doubt that Mayweather still has the skills to be successful in the ring, his exhibition career has raised questions about his legacy. Some fans and critics have argued that Mayweather’s decision to fight in exhibitions is a sign that he is past his prime and that he is no longer willing to take the risks that come with fighting professionally. Only time will tell what Mayweather’s decision to fight in exhibitions will mean for his legacy. But for now, it seems that Mayweather is content to use his boxing skills to entertain fans and make money. The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight is a must-watch for boxing fans, and it will be interesting to see how the two fighters perform under the bright lights of Mexico City.
