By MEXICO CITY — Former world champion Floyd Mayweather completed an eight-round exhibition fight against John Gotti III on Saturday night at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico, going the distance in a bout with no official judges.
Mayweather, 47, dominated the fight from the second round onward, showcasing the skills that made him one of boxing’s all-time greats. The fighter nicknamed “Money” requested a change of referee in the second round, a move that seemed to shift the momentum decisively in his favor.
This exhibition was a rematch of a controversial fight that ended in a massive brawl in Florida last June. In contrast to that chaotic encounter, Saturday’s bout concluded with Mayweather and Gotti III embracing in the ring, even as Mexican fans voiced their disapproval with loud boos.
Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 record, has been participating in exhibition matches since 2018. His opponents have included three Japanese fighters and Logan Paul, a YouTuber and WWE wrestler.
During his illustrious 21-year professional career, Mayweather captured world titles in five different weight divisions and defeated a who’s who of boxing, including Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De la Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
The exhibition format, which typically features no official scoring and relaxed rules, has become increasingly popular among retired boxers looking to capitalize on their enduring fame. For Mayweather, these bouts offer a way to stay in the public eye and continue earning substantial paydays without the risks associated with professional fights.
While some boxing purists criticize these exhibitions as mere spectacles, events like Saturday’s fight in Mexico City continue to draw significant crowds and media attention, underscoring the enduring appeal of legendary fighters like Mayweather.
As the boxing world continues to evolve, with crossover events and exhibitions gaining prominence, fights like Mayweather vs. Gotti III represent a new frontier in combat sports entertainment. Whether this trend will have lasting implications for the sport of boxing remains a topic of debate among fans, fighters, and industry insiders alike.
