The world of boxing was abuzz when John Gotti III, the grandson of renowned crime boss John Gotti, took on the five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather in an explosive encounter earlier this month in Florida. The animosity that boiled over during their exhibition fight, leaving the world on edge, has since cooled down, leading to potential talks for a highly anticipated rematch.
The pay-per-view bout was abruptly called off in the sixth round when referee Kenny Bayless lost his patience with the constant profanity and hostility being exchanged between Gotti and Mayweather. However, the real fireworks began after the fight was officially declared over, leading to a chaotic brawl between the fighters and their respective teams. This unexpected fracas made international headlines as it spiraled into a near-riot, engulfing the ring and spreading across the arena.
Since that unforgettable night, however, the relations between Gotti and Mayweather have surprisingly mellowed. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Gotti confessed, “He wanted to talk, and I wanted no part of it.” Gotti admitted that his father intervened, meeting with Mayweather in his locker room to discuss and resolve the issue. Despite the raw emotions displayed post-fight, Gotti is clear in his respect for Mayweather, calling him a “great” opponent and stating that their animosity has been successfully diffused.
Now, Gotti, 2-0 as a pro boxer, is gunning for a rematch with Mayweather, determined to capitalize on their post-fight altercation that dominated global headlines. Hinting at the potential rematch, Gotti said, “We’re in talks right now, actually, to do something. Floyd’s a businessman. Floyd wants to capitalize on that. He wants to make money. So if they want to do it again, I’m here.” His bold promise to come out “guns blazing” as soon as the bell rings the next time has the world of boxing waiting in bated breath for what promises to be an iconic rematch.
Image Credit: DAZN