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Floyd Mayweather, at 47 years old, continues to rake in money through his exhibition bouts, but his legacy remains untouched. In his recent rematch against John Gotti III in Mexico, Mayweather displayed flashes of the brilliance that once made him one of boxing’s greatest, though the fight itself was far from competitive. The former champion easily outclassed Gotti, who, despite his size advantage, was no match for Mayweather's skill and experience.
Throughout the fight, Mayweather teased his opponent with a series of quick, sharp combinations, never fully committing to a knockout but dominating each exchange. Had the fight been scored, it would have been a landslide victory for Mayweather. The bout was an exhibition, so no official winner was declared, but Mayweather’s superiority was evident.
“Gotti is tough as nails,” Mayweather acknowledged post-fight. “We had to put on a show for the people. I want to thank Gotti for being a man of his word. We ran it back twice.”
This rematch came after their first encounter ended in chaos, with Gotti being disqualified and attempting to brawl with Mayweather afterward. On Saturday night, the tension was palpable as the referee paused the fight in the second round to warn Mayweather of punches landing on the back of Gotti’s head. However, these strikes were more a result of Gotti lowering his head during exchanges rather than intentional fouls by Mayweather.
Gotti’s corner briefly entered the ring to calm him down, but the potential for chaos was avoided. The referee was then unexpectedly replaced, adding to the surreal nature of the event. Despite this unusual interruption, the fight resumed familiarly, with Mayweather continuing to outmaneuver Gotti, who struggled to mount any significant offense.
The later rounds saw Mayweather alternating between showcasing his legendary speed and letting Gotti off the hook, keeping the fight entertaining but never in doubt. Although the fight clock experienced some issues, with rounds occasionally running long, it had little impact on the outcome.
After the final bell, Mayweather and Gotti appeared to bury the hatchet, embracing in a show of sportsmanship. The night concluded with an unexpected appearance by Julio Cesar Chavez, who entered the ring to greet Mayweather. While rumors swirled about a potential exhibition between the two, Mayweather quickly dismissed the idea, expressing his respect for the 62-year-old legend.
“He’s older now and if I do an exhibition with him, it’s not going to look good for me,” Mayweather remarked, underscoring his admiration for Chavez.
Although a bout with Chavez seems unlikely, Mayweather is expected to continue capitalizing on his fame through these exhibitions, as the packed arena in Mexico demonstrated that the public’s interest in him remains strong, even when the stakes are low.
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