2024-08-25 06:45:02
Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition boxing career continues this Saturday when he faces John Gotti III. The fight is a rematch of a June 2023 exhibition that saw a brawl break out after referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight in the sixth round.
Mayweather was well in control of the first meeting when repeated warnings for rough behavior by Gotti led to Bayless waiving off the fight. Gotti moved past Mayweather and began throwing punches, forcing Mayweather to throw back in return until members of both fighters’ camps entered the ring. The arena eventually had to be evacuated as a result of the post-fight brawl.
Mayweather and Gotti now run it back at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, though tensions between the two have seemed to have settled as the rematch approaches.
Mayweather retired from professional boxing in August 2017 when he defeated UFC superstar Conor McGregor to run his record to a perfect 50-0. Since retirement, Mayweather has fought seven exhibition bouts.
“I’m back in Mexico again. I spoke about this the other day. The country of Mexico. The boxing pedigree in the whole country. Since I was a little kid, it has been truly unbelievable,” Mayweather said at the final press conference this week.” So many legendary champions. So many legendary fighters.
“I want to say thank you to my team and the Gottis. Let’s go out there and put on a show. One thing about me is that I’ve heard it all. I’ve been around the world and competed against the best. When you talk about the Olympics, I’ve competed against the best. Whether it was the world champion in the Olympics or professionally. The pedigree of Mexico boxing is truly unbelievable. You talk about the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez; my uncle Roger Mayweather fought him twice. He came up short, but he fought him twice. It is always about competing and going up against the best. So, Saturday it is what it is. I’ve already faced the best.”
Gotti is the grandson and son of infamous crime bosses John Gotti and John Gotti Jr.
“This is the best shape I’ve ever been in my entire life,” Gotti III said. “I have no weight to lose here, and I had a bit of a weight cut in Florida, but I’m on weight already and I’m excited.
“This is a once in a lifetime trip. As my father said, Floyd honored his word and gave me the rematch. He didn’t have to. He could have moved on and did his thing and I appreciate that. We’re gonna put on a good show. We’re gonna fight. It’s gonna be exciting.”
The undercard sees veteran Victor Ortiz make his return to the ring when he takes on Rodrigo Damian Coria. Ortiz, 37, has been out of action since a May 2022 win over Todd Manuel where Ortiz earned the unanimous decision but was dropped in the 10th round. This bout will also be an exhibition against Coria, a native of Argentina looking to make a name for himself.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the card as well as how you can catch all the action on Saturday night below.
Mayweather vs. Gotti fight card
- Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III
- Victor Ortiz vs. Rodrigo Damian Coria
- Alan David Picasso vs. Azat Hovhannisyan
- Curmel Tramayne Moton vs. Victor Vazquez
Mayweather vs. Gotti viewing information
Date: Aug. 24 | Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Arena CDMX — Mexico City
TV channel: PPV.com, traditional PPV
