The rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III included no brawl. Just more Mayweather domination.
And boos.
The crowd voiced its displeasure after the eight-round exhibition in Mexico City.
There were no knockdowns. No glassy-eyed looks. No staggering.
Because the fight was an exhibition, it was not officially scored. But Mayweather, 47, dominated Gotti, 31, the grandson of late crime boss John Gotti. Mayweather was able to hit Gotti with relative ease and connected plenty — but he never rocked his opponent.
‘Gotti is tough as nails.” Mayweather said after the fight.
Mayweather praised Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who was there as part of the broadcast team, then said “Mexico City, I love you guys. Thanks for coming out.’’
The fans cheered.
The first fight between Mayweather and Gotti, in June 2023, ended in a brawl after the referee stopped the fight in the sixth round because of excessive trash talk and holding. Gotti maneuvered around the referee and threw punches at Mayweather and members of the fighters’ camps flooded into the ring as a melee broke out.
There were moments of tension Saturday. Gotti grew agitated when the rounds, which were supposed to be two minutes, ran long. And Mayweather looked angry when the referee warned him about punches to the back of Gotti’s head. In fact, a new referee entered the ring.
But it was largely peaceful — more peaceful than the crowd hoped for, seemingly — and it ended with Mayweather and Gotti embracing.
‘He’s my guy,’ Mayweather said of Gotti, with his arm around his opponent. ‘But we had to put on a show for the people. And I want to thank Gotti for being a man of his word and we ran it back twice.”
Gotti said Mayweather ‘hit hard.’
‘He’s still got it,’ Gotti said.
What’s next for Floyd Mayweather?
Not an exhibition with Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
During an in-ring interview after the fight, Mayweather embraced the 62-year-old Chavez.
“He’s one of the legends I look up to and he paved the way for me,’’ Mayweather said.
But the two getting into the ring to box? “He’s older now, and if I do an exhibition with him it’s not going to look good for me,’’ Mayweather said.
Earlier this week, Mayweather said he’d been offered a deal for three more exhibitions but provided no additional details.
“We just got a call about a three-exhibition deal and it’s a crazy number. …So, we don’t know,’ Mayweather said.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III, exhibition
The Floyd Mayweather-John Gotti fight will not be officially scored because it’s an exhibition. USA TODAY Sports’ boxing analyst Josh Peter will score the contest.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 1
Floyd has the high guard up. He and Gotti at center of ring. Lands a counter right and throws an overhand right. He’s letting his fists go early. Gotti lands right hand to body. Crowd whistling. Floyd dancing. Gotti looks tentative. Gotti complaining. The round went long, but it belongs to Floyd. Floyd 10, Gotti 9.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 2
Floyd upset as he’s warned for a behind-the-head shot. Very agitated. In fact, Floyd pushed the referee out of the way. A member of Gotti’s team gets into the ring and Floyd smiles. A new referee enters the ring. Fighters brought together and it looks civil as the action resumes. Floyd instantly looks in control again. Floyd and Gotti tap gloves as the round ends. Floyd 20, Gotti 18.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 3
Gotti still looking apprehensive. Now Floyd attacking Gotti. Gotti a punching bag on the ropes before Floyd backs away. Gotti rushes in and flies back as Floyd ducks, like a matador avoiding a bull. Floyd 30, Gotti 27.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 4
Change in plan. Gotti stalking. But still not throwing punches. Eats one. A Floyd left. Gotti lets two rights fly, but neither land. Floyd softer around the middle than I’ve seen in a while. But showing quickness with his punches and puckishness as he sticks out his tongue to someone in the crowd. Floyd 40, Gotti 36.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 5
Crowd whistling. Not with pleasure. Gotti not putting up much of a fight. Floyd 50, Gotti 45.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 6
Gotti looks more focused on dodging punches than landing punches. And Floyd is all too happy to dictate the action. Gotti lands a left to the body and Floyd responds with his own body shot. Crowd whistling, then booing. Floyd grins. Floyd 60, Gotti 54.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 7
Floyd landing head shots. Throwing with more velocity. Gotti has Floyd on the ropes, but not long enough to capitalize. Floyd lands some big punches. Almost using his fist like a hammer. Crowd is not pleased. Whistling. Gotti looks almost lifeless. Or without a plan. Floyd 70, Gotti 63.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 8
The two trade stiff jabs. And the crowd boos. Floyd showing more power, but now Gotti’s complaining about shots behind the head again. Floyd looks amused. Floyd sticks out his tongue. A smile creeps onto Gotti’s face, too. Floyd talking to Gotti’s corner. Bell rings and the boxers embrace. Floyd 80, Gotti 72.
Floyd Mayweather playing mind games?
John Gotti III paraded to the ring, made his entrance and the wait began.
Three minutes. Three more. Gotti paced.
And finally came Mayweather, draped in a Mexican-flag poncho bearing the acronym TBE. The Best Ever.
Alan Picasso vs. Azat Hovhannisyan, super bantamweight
Round 1: The lanky Picasso firing the left jab early. “Picasso!’’ chants the crowd in his hometown of Mexico City. Hovhannisyan lands body shots and Picasso lands clean shots to the head. Picasso 10, Hovhannisyan 9.
Round 2: Picasso digging in with some left hooks to Hovhannisyan’s body. Hovhannisyan responds with body work too. Picasso ups the ante, connecting to Hovhannisyan’s head. Picasso feeling those shots but scoring with his left. Picasso 20, Hovhannisyan 18.
Round 3: Picasso showing more speed and power as he throws upper cuts. Hovhannisyan pushes back and backs up Picasso with a flurry of punches. Picasso making good use of his left. Picasso 30, Hovhannisyan 27.
Round 4: Picasso unleashing and landing some wicked lefts. Grunting as he lets those punches sail. Hovhannisyan standing his ground and counters with stinging left hooks. Picasso 39, Hovhannisyan 37.
Round 5: Wasting no time, the fighters engaged in another wicked exchange. Picasso the victim of a second low blow and a point is taken away from Hovhannisyan. Hovhannisyan goes back to the body and another lands just below Picasso’s beltline. Picasso finishes the round with a flurry of punches. Picasso 49, Hovhannisyan 45.
Round 6: Hovhannisyan’s body work could pay off later, but it’s Picasso’s left and combinations that look most impressive. Hovhannisyan punishes Picasso with a flurry as the round ends. Picasso 58, Hovhannisyan 55.
Round 7: No holding back here. Picasso let his fists fly, and Hovhannisyan firing back with left hooks and some body shots. The swelling on Hovhannisyan’s face is crying out for ice. Picasso 68, Hovhannisyan 64.
Round 8: Picasso comes out firing and the pace becomes unrelenting. The crowd loves it. Hovhannisyan is up to the challenge and now goes on the attack. The chants start up again: “Picasso! Picasso!” Picasso 78, Hovhannisyan 73.
Round 9: Picasso’s pace slows a little, and Hovhannisyan shows more energy – and fires away. More chants of “Picasso,’’ but it’s Hovhannisyan’s round thanks to two huge left hooks in the final seconds. Picasso 87, Hovhannisyan 83.
Round 10: Hovhannisyan swings for the fences. Misses. Picasso’s got him doing a lot of missing here. Picasso 97, Hovhannisyan 92.
Round 11: Picasso’s pace has slowed. Hovhannisyan powering forward – right into a left hook. Picasso 107, Hovhannisyan 101.
Round 12: Picasso wraps up Hovhannisyan in a hug. They’re pulled apart and he ties him up again. He clearly knows he’s ahead on the scorecards and to win he needs to end the round on his feet. Hovhannisyan swinging for the fences but Picasso staying active and mobile. Picasso 116, Hovhannisyan 111.
Alan Picasso def. Azat Hovhannisyan by unanimous decision
It was not a Picasso masterpiece, but it was artful enough to see why he could be a future champion.
Picasso absorbed punishing body shots from a seasoned veteran, and he fired with whistling lefts and rights that left Hovhannisyan’s face badly swollen.
The most pivotal punch might have been a low blow from Hovhannisyan in the fifth round. It cost him a point deduction, riled up the pro-Picasso crowd and spurred the 24-year-old fighter who delighted the fans – and impressed the judges.
The judges scored the bout 118-110, 118-110, 120-108 for Picasso.
Picasso, 24, improved to 29-0-1. Hovhannisyan, 36, fell to 21-5.
Curmel Moton vs. Victor Vazquez, lightweight
Round 1: Moton out assertively behind his jab. Staggers Vazquez and then drops him! It’s over.
Curmel Moton def. Victor Vazquez by knockout
Moton needed less than a minute to flatten Vazquez and demonstrate why at 18 he’s one of the top prospects in boxing.
He unleashed a brutal three-punch combination that dropped Vazquez to the canvas, and the referee halted the fight with only 55 seconds having elapsed in the lightweight bout.
Mentored by Floyd Mayweather Jr., Moton has fought five times in less than a year and delivered his fourth knockout.
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, exhibition
The Floyd Mayweather-John Gotti fight will not be officially scored because it’s an exhibition. The same is true for the co-main between Ortiz and Coria. USA TODAY Sports’ boxing analyst Josh Peter will score the fights.
Round 1: Both boxers wearing lime green boxing gloves. Exhibition gloves? It’s an exhibition pace. Both landed left hands, but Ortiz’s moved the flesh farther. Ortiz 10, Coria 9.
Round 2: Coria clearly showing more speed. But no evidence that he plans to exploit it beyond controlling this round. Ortiz 19, Coria 19.
Round 3: Whistles from the crowd. The fans want more. They’ve got restrictor plates on these punches. We’re seeing limited speed and limited power. Coria 29, Ortiz 28.
Round 4: They meet in the middle and let their fists fly, without fury. Crowd is chanting. They do not sound happy. Coria again showing superior quickness. The round ends and Ortiz grins as he taps gloves (yes, lime) with Coria. Coria 39, Ortiz 37.
Round 5: Would like to see how much power Ortiz has left in those gloves. Doubtful we’re going to see it, but he does land a couple of solid punches. Coria 48, Ortiz 47.
Round 6: Ortiz’s smile at the end of the round is bigger than any of his punches during the round. Coria at least looks half serious. Coria 58, Ortiz 56.
Round 7: Coria catches Ortiz with a solid right. Ortiz counters. Coria shows more flashes of speed. The crowd does not sound satisfied. Coria 68, Ortiz 65.
Round 8: Ortiz eats a left, and Coria feeds him a few more punches. Definite snap on those punches, but the action slows again. The round ends and Ortiz gives Coria a kiss on the cheek. Coria 78, Ortiz 74.
Ortiz-Coria bout not a crowd pleaser
Victor Ortiz and Damian Coria might have set a boxing record for most punches pulled during a fight in Mexico City.
Too many to count.
When the eight-round exhibition ended – without injury or insult – the plump, 37-year-old Ortiz kissed Coria on the check.
Fans booed.
Arlenn Sanchez vs. Cecilia Rodriguez, light flyweight
Round 1: Arlenn Sanchez steps into the ring less than a week after taking the fight. She stays busy with body shots, but Cecilia Rodriguez capitalizes on her reach advantage. Rodriguez 10, Sanchez 9.
Round 2: Sanchez unloading punches, but not with much force and she already looks fatigued. Rodriguez lands enough clean shots to win the round. Rodriguez 20, Sanchez 18.
Round 3: Sanchez might as well put pillows on the end of her boxing gloves. Rodriguez showing no fear of her punches and she’s landing a barrage of clean shots, including several uppercuts. Rodriguez 30, Sanchez 27.
Round 4: Sanchez out with more authority. Spirited exchanges commence. Sanchez leaning in and finding more power. Rodriguez answers with a solid left, but Sanchez dictated most of the action. Rodriguez 39, Sanchez 37.
Round 5: Sanchez the aggressor and again leaning in. Rodriguez connecting with the left but struggling to slow Sanchez. Rodriguez 48, Sanchez 47.
Round 6: Rodriguez using her length again. Sanchez warned for landing punches behind Rodriguez’s head. Sanchez slowing again, and Rodriguez lands a flurry. Rodriguez 58, Sanchez 56.
Round 7: Rodriguez unloading fierce punches. Sanchez still coming forward. Definitely paying for it. Lands punches, but eats more. Rodriguez 68, Sanchez 65.
Round 8: Sanchez looks lively and remains the aggressor. Takes two uppercuts from Rodriguez and yet still moving forward and throwing punches. But Rodriguez firing the harder and more precise punches. Rodriguez 78, Sanchez 74.
Cecilia Rodriguez def. Arlenn Sanchez by unanimous decision
Sanchez took the fight on short notice. She won admiration, but not the fight.
Though Sanchez showed spirit and determination, Rodriguez landed more shots and with precision in the eight-round, light flyweight bout.
The judges scored it 78-74, 80-72 and 79-74 in Rodriguez’s favor.
Rodriguez, 24, earned a unanimous decision and improved to 14-1-1. Sanchez, 26, fell to 5-7-4.
Luis Rodriguez vs. Cesar Vaca, super middleweight
Round 1: Cesar Vaca wearing pink gloves and Luis Rodriguez wearing bright yellow ones. More yellow lands, slightly. Rodriguez 10, Vaca 9.
Round 2: Vaca opens up and absorbs a big left from Rodriguez as a result. Vaca stays aggressive and lands two uppercuts. Lands another combo and evades any punishing blows. Rodriguez 19, Vaca 19.
Round 3: Vaca showing good footwork and quickness, and it’s spared him from Rodriguez’s powerful left. Vaca throwing punches and staying on the move. Vaca 29, Rodriguez 28.
Round 4: Vaca comes out staying on the move, bouncing left and right, and firing punches. Rodriguez patiently looking for an opening. Too patiently, perhaps. Vaca tags Rodriguez, but crowd lets loose with a few boos as Vaca backpedals. Vaca 39, Rodriguez 37.
Round 5: Referee quickly stops the action to mop up Vaseline from Vaca’s forehead. But that’s not what’s making Vaca look so slippery. Still bouncing on his toes and landing the right. Rodriguez looks baffled. Vaca 49, Rodriguez 46.
Round 6: Rodriguez targeting the body, with minimal success. Vaca sticks with his game plan. He’s moving side to side and firing quick punches. Rodriguez lands several rights to the body. Vaca 58, Rodriguez 56.
Round 7: Rodriguez waving Vaca forward. He wants action. Vaca stays on the move. Rodriguez waves his arms in frustration. Vaca now going to be a stationary target. Rodriguez lands a combination late. Vaca 68, Rodriguez 65.
Round 8: Rodriguez appears to be trying to draw in Vaca and counterpunch. But the strategy not paying off, as Vaca exploits his quickness and footwork. Rodriguez running out of time – and ideas. Vaca 78, Rodriguez 74.
Round 9: Rodriguez again expresses frustration with Vaca’s seemingly constant movement. But it’s more than a way to evade punches. Vaca’s landing punches, too. Vaca 88, Rodriguez 83.
Round 10: Vaca could take the round off. Instead, he’s still landing punches. Rodriguez simply can’t catch him. Vaca would be making Floyd Mayweather proud with this combination of wise defense and opportunistic punching. Vaca 98, Rodriguez 92.
Cesar Vaca def. Luis Rodriguez by majority decision
Rodriguez entered the bout as an emerging knockout artist. He got beat by a boxing artist.
With great footwork, defense and hand speed, Vaca evaded Rodriguez’s powerful left and landed a steady diet of crisp punches during the 10-round super middleweight bout.
The judges scored it 95-95, 97-94 and 98-92 in favor of Vaca, who improved to 17-1-1. Rodriguez fell to 15-1.
Aaron Silva vs. Alberto Artiga, super middleweight
Round 1: Alberto Artiga took the fight on 24 hours’ notice, according to DAZN, and he looks like he’s been in training for, well, several hours. Aaron Silva, on the other hand, clearly has spent more time in the gym than at the buffet. He hands a powerful right. Silva 10, Artiga 9.
Round 2: Silva stalking and lands a big shot. It’s a hard left that almost drops Artiga. The ropes may have saved Artiga, but those ropes might not be so generous moving forward. Silva 20, Artiga 18.
Round 3: Silva comes out quick and punishes Artiga with a barrage of punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. As predicted, the ropes do not save Artiga again as Silva wins by TKO.
Aaron Silva def. Alberto Artiga by TKO
Artiga came out wearing trunks that on the front read: “Pollo.’’
He was no chicken, taking the fight on 24 hours’ notice, and he had no chance.
Silva bloodied Artiga in the third round of their super middleweight fight and after a barrage of punches the referee stopped the fight.
Silva, 27, improved to 15-1. Artiga, 33, fell to 6-14.
Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III predictions
Hector Franco, FanSided MMA: With added motivation of personal animosity, look for the Hall-of-Famer to be more gung-ho with his punches and stop Gotti before the eight-round distance. Prediction: Mayweather by stoppage.
Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report: Mayweather will take a cautious approach in the early rounds, allow Gotti to entertain the crowd with some offense, but Mayweather will be able to turn up the heat whenever he wants. Prediction: Fight goes the distance.
Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: Mayweather will go on the attack earlier than usual to ensure he ends the fight rather than allowing the referee to step in prematurely again. Prediction: Mayweather by TKO, 6th round.
Floyd Mayweather takes shot at Mexican legend
This week, a reporter asked Mayweather about a supposed rumor Mayweather would fight Julio Cesar Chavez in an exhibition.
“The father or the son or both in one night?’’ Mayweather cracked.
The reporter said he was referring to Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., 62. Not Chavez’s 38-year-old son.
Replied Mayweather, “Well, do you want me to use one hand? I can use no hands.’’
When is Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight?
The main card starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight is expected to begin at about midnight ET.
Where is Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight?
Mexico City
What time is Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight?
The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight is expected to begin at about midnight ET.
How to watch Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight
DAZN. PPV is $49.99 (plus subscription).
Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11
