Results and Round-by-Round Analysis of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III Exhibition Fight
The highly-anticipated rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III did not end in chaos, but rather showcased Mayweather’s clear superiority.
The audience expressed their discontent following the eight-round exhibition held in Mexico City.
There were no knockdowns, staggering, or dazed appearances.
Since it was an exhibition match, it wasn’t officially scored. However, Mayweather, aged 47, clearly outclassed 31-year-old Gotti, who is the grandson of the late mobster John Gotti. Mayweather managed to land numerous punches on Gotti without truly wobbling him.
“Gotti is incredibly tough,” Mayweather remarked after the bout.
He acknowledged Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who was part of the commentary team, before expressing his appreciation for the Mexican crowd, saying, “Mexico City, I love you guys. Thank you for coming out.”
This elicited cheers from the fans.
The first confrontation between Mayweather and Gotti in June 2023 ended in chaos as the referee halted the match in the sixth round due to excessive trash talk and clinching. Gotti evaded the referee and swung punches at Mayweather, igniting a brawl involving both fighters’ teams.
There were moments of tension during the recent fight. Gotti became frustrated when the rounds, which were intended to last two minutes, extended beyond that time. Mayweather also appeared annoyed when the referee cautioned him about strikes to the back of Gotti’s head, prompting a new referee to enter the ring.
Overall, the bout remained largely calm—much to the crowd’s disappointment—and concluded with both fighters sharing an embrace.
“He’s my guy,” stated Mayweather regarding Gotti, wrapping an arm around him. “But we needed to put on a show for everyone. Thank you to Gotti for keeping his word and allowing us to do this again.”
Gotti admitted, “Mayweather hits hard.”
“He still has it,” he added.
What’s Next for Floyd Mayweather?
It won’t be an exhibition match against Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Following the fight, Mayweather warmly embraced the 62-year-old Chavez.
“He’s a legend I admire and has paved the way for me,” Mayweather said.
But the idea of boxing Chavez? “He’s older now, and if I were to do an exhibition with him, it wouldn’t reflect well on me,” Mayweather noted.
Earlier in the week, Mayweather mentioned receiving an offer for three additional exhibitions but shared no further information.
“We just got contacted about a three-fight deal, and the amount is unbelievable So, we’re not sure yet,” he commented.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III, Exhibition Match
The Floyd Mayweather-John Gotti exhibition match will not have official scoring. YSL News Sports’ boxing analyst Josh Peter will evaluate the fight.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 1
Floyd starts with a solid defense. He and Gotti are positioned at the center of the ring. Floyd connects with a counter right followed by an overhand right, showing early aggression. Gotti lands a punch to the body, and the crowd reacts with whistles. Floyd shows his footwork while Gotti appears hesitant. The round exceeded the expected length but goes to Floyd. Floyd 10, Gotti 9.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 2
Floyd is visibly upset after being cautioned for a shot to the back of Gotti’s head. He even pushed the referee aside. One of Gotti’s team members entered the ring but Floyd managed to maintain his composure as a new referee stepped in. Both fighters appeared civil as the round progressed, with Floyd seizing control once more. Floyd and Gotti share a glove tap at the round’s end. Floyd 20, Gotti 18.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 3
Gotti continues to appear cautious. Floyd begins to aggressively pursue Gotti, who finds himself trapped against the ropes. Floyd pulls back as Gotti charges in, evading him like a skillful matador. Floyd 30, Gotti 27.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 4
Gotti shifts to a more aggressive stance but remains inactive with punches. He takes a left from Floyd, then attempts two right punches, neither of which connect. Notably, Floyd appears softer in the midsection than seen in past fights. Still, he showcases quick reflexes and playfully gestures to the crowd. Floyd 40, Gotti 36.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 5
The crowd’s whistles signify their dissatisfaction. Gotti fails to mount a serious offense. Floyd 50, Gotti 45.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 6
Gotti seems more focused on avoiding punches rather than landing any himself. Floyd is content to control the pace of the fight, trading punches with Gotti. The audience begins to whistle and boo, while Floyd responds with a smile. Floyd 60, Gotti 54.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 7
Floyd begins landing head shots with increased intensity. Gotti puts Floyd against the ropes momentarily, but fails to take advantage of it. Floyd manages to land significant punches.
It looks like Gotti is using his fist similarly to a hammer, but the crowd is clearly unhappy, expressing their discontent with whistles. Gotti appears sluggish, almost directionless. Floyd leads with 70 points, while Gotti has 63.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III: Round 8
Both fighters exchange strong jabs, leading to further boos from the audience. Floyd seems to exert more power, but Gotti is again complaining about blows to the back of the head. Floyd simply looks entertained, even sticking out his tongue. Gotti manages a smile as well. Floyd banters with Gotti’s corner. The bell rings, and they share a brief hug. Floyd 80, Gotti 72.
Is Floyd Mayweather Playing Mind Games?
John Gotti III made a grand entrance to the ring, while the audience waited.
The wait stretched on: three minutes, then three more. Gotti was pacing nervously.
Finally, Mayweather appeared, sporting a poncho bearing the Mexican flag and the acronym TBE, which stands for The Best Ever.
Alan Picasso vs. Azat Hovhannisyan, Super Bantamweight
Round 1: The tall Picasso started off aggressively with his left jab. The crowd in his home city of Mexico City cheers, chanting “Picasso!” Hovhannisyan responds with body shots, while Picasso connects cleanly to the head. Picasso 10, Hovhannisyan 9.
Round 2: Picasso lands several left hooks to Hovhannisyan’s body, who retaliates with his own body shots. Picasso raises the intensity, connecting with punches to Hovhannisyan’s head. Although he feels the impact, he keeps scoring with those left punches. Picasso 20, Hovhannisyan 18.
Round 3: Picasso demonstrates greater speed and power with uppercuts. Hovhannisyan pushes back fiercely, forcing Picasso to retreat momentarily. Yet, Picasso continues to effectively use his left. Picasso 30, Hovhannisyan 27.
Round 4: Picasso starts off strong, landing powerful left punches, clearly exerting himself. Hovhannisyan stands firm and counters with sharp left hooks. Picasso 39, Hovhannisyan 37.
Round 5: The fighters quickly engage in an intense exchange. Picasso is a victim of a second low blow, leading to a point deduction against Hovhannisyan. Hovhannisyan continues to focus on body shots but lands another low blow. Picasso ends the round with a series of strikes. Picasso 49, Hovhannisyan 45.
Round 6: Hovhannisyan’s body punches may help him later, but it’s Picasso’s impressive left combinations that catch the eye. Hovhannisyan finishes strong, punishing Picasso with a flurry as the round concludes. Picasso 58, Hovhannisyan 55.
Round 7: This round sees no hesitations. Picasso unleashes a barrage of punches, while Hovhannisyan answers with left hooks and body shots. Hovhannisyan’s face is starting to swell significantly. Picasso 68, Hovhannisyan 64.
Round 8: Picasso starts energetically, and the action heats up, thrilling the audience. Hovhannisyan rises to the challenge, going on the offensive, and the crowd begins cheering once more: “Picasso! Picasso!” Picasso 78, Hovhannisyan 73.
Round 9: Picasso’s pace begins to fluctuate, while Hovhannisyan shows renewed vigor and attacks fiercely. The audience continues to chant “Picasso,” but Hovhannisyan claims this round with two powerfully delivered left hooks in the final moments. Picasso 87, Hovhannisyan 83.
Round 10: Hovhannisyan swings wildly but misses, as Picasso evades effectively. Picasso 97, Hovhannisyan 92.
Round 11: Picasso’s energy diminishes. Hovhannisyan moves forward robustly and gets caught by a left hook. Picasso 107, Hovhannisyan 101.
Round 12: Picasso embraces Hovhannisyan, momentarily tying him up. They separate, and he ties him up again, clearly aware of his lead on the scorecards, aiming to finish the round standing. Hovhannisyan swings powerfully, but Picasso remains active and agile. Picasso 116, Hovhannisyan 111.
Alan Picasso Defeats Azat Hovhannisyan by Unanimous Decision
While not a flawless performance, Picasso showcased enough skill to hint at his championship potential.
During the fight, Picasso absorbed heavy body shots from an experienced opponent but retaliated with sharp punches that left Hovhannisyan’s face severely bruised.
A crucial moment came in the fifth round when Hovhannisyan landed a low blow, resulting in a point being deducted. This incident fired up the pro-Picasso audience and motivated the 24-year-old to shine, captivating both fans and judges alike.
The judges scored the match 118-110, 118-110, and 120-108 in favor of Picasso.
Picasso, now 24 years old, improved his record to 29-0-1, while Hovhannisyan, aged 36, fell to 21-5.
Curmel Moton vs. Victor Vazquez, Lightweight
Round 1: Moton starts strong, using his jab effectively to stagger Vazquez and then knocks him down! It’s a quick finish.
Curmel Moton Defeats Victor Vazquez by Knockout
Moton took less than a minute to take down Vazquez, proving why he is one of the top prospects in boxing at just 18 years old.
He delivered a brutal combination of three punches that knocked Vazquez to the ground, leading the referee to stop the fight just 55 seconds into the lightweight clash.
Moton, mentored by Floyd Mayweather Jr., has fought five times in under a year, boasting four knockouts in that span.
It’s noteworthy that Vazquez (5-3-1) was returning from an eight-year hiatus, and Moton’s knockout may keep him sidelined even longer.
Victor Ortiz vs. Damian Coria, Exhibition
The Floyd Mayweather-John Gotti fight will not be officially scored due to being labeled an exhibition. The same goes for the co-main between Ortiz and Coria. YSL News Sports’ boxing analyst Josh Peter will assess the bouts.
Round 1: Both fighters sport lime green boxing gloves. The atmosphere is relaxed, matching the exhibition’s pace. Ortiz and Coria both land left punches, but Ortiz’s are more impactful. Ortiz 10, Coria 9.
Round 2: Coria demonstrates more speed, yet there’s no indication he plans to fully use it, opting instead to control this round. Ortiz 19, Coria 19.
Round 3: The crowd is restive, wanting more excitement. The punches seem restrained in both speed and power. Coria 29, Ortiz 28.
Round 4: Both boxes engage in an exchange at center ring, but the intensity is low, leading to audible discontent from the audience. Once again, Coria proves to be quicker. The round ends with Ortiz smiling and tapping gloves with Coria. Coria 39, Ortiz 37.
Round 5: Curious to see Ortiz’s remaining power, though it seems unlikely to emerge, he does manage to land a few solid shots. Coria 48, Ortiz 47.
Round 6: At the conclusion of the round, Ortiz has a grin that outshines his punch power. Coria is at least somewhat engaged. Coria 58, Ortiz 56.
Round 7: Coria lands a strong right on Ortiz, who counters effectively. Coria demonstrates flashes of speed. The audience seems displeased. Coria 68, Ortiz 65.
Round 8: Ortiz takes a left punch, followed by several more from Coria. There’s clear force behind those punches, but the pace slows again. As the round ends, Ortiz gives Coria a kiss on the cheek. Coria 78, Ortiz 74.
Ortiz-Coria match fails to impress
Victor Ortiz and Damian Coria may have set a boxing record for the least effective punches thrown during a fight in Mexico City.
Countless punches went by without impact.
After the eight-round exhibition concluded – with neither boxer injured or insulted – the hefty 37-year-old Ortiz kissed Coria on the cheek.
The fans responded with boos.
Arlenn Sanchez vs. Cecilia Rodriguez, light flyweight
Round 1: Arlenn Sanchez enters the ring on less than a week’s notice. She throws a series of body shots, but Cecilia Rodriguez uses her reach wisely. Rodriguez 10, Sanchez 9.
Round 2: Sanchez releases a flurry of punches but lacks power, appearing already tired. Rodriguez lands enough clean hits to secure the round. Rodriguez 20, Sanchez 18.
Round 3: Sanchez might as well be wearing pillows on her gloves. Rodriguez shows no hesitation, landing a flurry of clean jabs and uppercuts. Rodriguez 30, Sanchez 27.
Round 4: Sanchez comes out more assertively. They engage in spirited exchanges. Sanchez leans in and finds more power in her punches. Rodriguez fires back with a solid left but Sanchez drives the action. Rodriguez 39, Sanchez 37.
Round 5: Sanchez takes the lead again, leaning forward. Rodriguez connects with a left but struggles to slow Sanchez down. Rodriguez 48, Sanchez 47.
Round 6: Rodriguez uses her reach once more. Sanchez is warned for hitting behind Rodriguez’s head. Sanchez’s pace slows again, while Rodriguez unleashes a series of punches. Rodriguez 58, Sanchez 56.
Round 7: Rodriguez delivers fierce blows, while Sanchez continues her forward push. She’s definitely paying the price; landing punches but receiving more in return. Rodriguez 68, Sanchez 65.
Round 8: Sanchez stays active and aggressive. She absorbs two uppercuts from Rodriguez but continues to move forward and throw punches. Rodriguez, however, lands the heavier and more precise shots. Rodriguez 78, Sanchez 74.
Cecilia Rodriguez wins against Arlenn Sanchez by unanimous decision
Although Sanchez took the fight on short notice and showed commendable spirit, she wasn’t able to secure a victory.
Rodriguez consistently landed more precise shots in the eight-round light flyweight match.
The judges scored the bout 78-74, 80-72, and 79-74 in favor of Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, at 24 years old, moved to a record of 14-1-1, while Sanchez, aged 26, dropped to 5-7-4.
Luis Rodriguez vs. Cesar Vaca, super middleweight
Round 1: Cesar Vaca boasts pink gloves, compared to Luis Rodriguez’s bright yellow ones. More punches from Rodriguez connect, albeit slightly. Rodriguez 10, Vaca 9.
Round 2: Vaca comes out swinging but takes a heavy left from Rodriguez in the process. Still, Vaca remains aggressive and lands two uppercuts, avoiding punishment. Rodriguez 19, Vaca 19.
Round 3: Vaca’s impressive footwork keeps him from Rodriguez’s significant left punch. He’s constantly moving and throwing punches. Vaca 29, Rodriguez 28.
Round 4: Vaca stays mobile and throws punches as Rodriguez waits for an opening. Some in the crowd express displeasure as Vaca retreats after scoring a hit. Vaca 39, Rodriguez 37.
Round 5: The referee pauses the match to clean Vaca’s forehead of Vaseline, although that’s not the reason he looks so slick in the ring. He continues bouncing on his toes and connecting with punches. Rodriguez appears confused. Vaca 49, Rodriguez 46.
Round 6: Rodriguez tries to focus on body shots but has minimal success. Vaca sticks to his strategy, moving side to side while throwing quick hits. Rodriguez lands several rights to the body. Vaca 58, Rodriguez 56.
Round 7: Rodriguez urges Vaca to fight. Vaca maintains his movement. Frustration is visible on Rodriguez’s face. Vaca becomes a slower target, and Rodriguez lands a combination near the end. Vaca 68, Rodriguez 65.
Round 8: Rodriguez seems to aim for counterpunching tactics but it doesn’t work out as Vaca’s speed proves too much. Rodriguez is running out of time and options. Vaca 78, Rodriguez 74.
Round 9: Rodriguez expresses frustration as Vaca’s constant movement is effective. However, Vaca isn’t just evading punches; he’s landing his own as well. Vaca 88, Rodriguez 83.
Round 10: Vaca could take it easy but continues landing punches. Rodriguez struggles to make contact. Vaca’s combination of strong defense and timely punches would make Floyd Mayweather proud. Vaca 98, Rodriguez 92.
Cesar Vaca wins against Luis Rodriguez by majority decision
Rodriguez came into the match as a rising star known for his knockout ability, but he was outperformed by a skilled boxer.
With excellent footwork, defense, and hand speed, Vaca skillfully maneuvered around Rodriguez’s powerful left punches, effectively landing multiple crisp hits in the ten-round super middleweight clash.
The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-94, and 98-92 in favor of Vaca, who improved to 17-1-1, while Rodriguez dropped to 15-1.
Aaron Silva vs. Alberto Artiga, super middleweight
Round 1: Alberto Artiga entered the match on just 24 hours’ notice, according to DAZN, and it shows he may not have been prepared fully. Aaron Silva, however, looks fit and delivers a powerful right shot. Silva 10, Artiga 9.
Round 2: Silva stays on the hunt and delivers a massive blow. A strong left punch nearly drops Artiga; he may have relied on the ropes for support. Silva 20, Artiga 18.
Round 3: Silva starts fast and overwhelms Artiga with a flurry of punches, leading the referee to call a halt to the fight. This time, the ropes do not help Artiga as Silva wins by TKO.
Aaron Silva defeats Alberto Artiga by TKO
Artiga sported trunks that said “Pollo” on the front.
He wasn’t a coward for stepping in on short notice, but he didn’t stand a chance.
Silva battered Artiga.
In the third round of their super middleweight bout, the referee halted the match following a series of punches.
Silva, at 27 years old, improved his record to 15 wins and 1 loss, while Artiga, aged 33, experienced a drop to 6 wins and 14 losses.
Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Predictions
Hector Franco, FanSided MMA: With a personal rivalry fueling him, expect the Hall-of-Famer to be more aggressive in his strikes and finish Gotti before the eighth round. Prediction: Mayweather by stoppage.
Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report: Mayweather will likely take a strategic approach in the early rounds, allowing Gotti to entertain the audience briefly, but will ramp up the intensity whenever he chooses. Prediction: The bout goes the distance.
Josh Peter, YSL News Sports: Mayweather will likely initiate his attacks earlier than normal to avoid another premature stoppage by the referee. Prediction: Mayweather by TKO in the 6th round.
Floyd Mayweather Makes a Remark about Mexican Legend
This week, Mayweather was asked about a rumor regarding a possible exhibition fight with Julio Cesar Chavez.
“Are we talking about the father, the son, or both in one night?” Mayweather quipped.
The reporter clarified he was referring to Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who is 62, and not his 38-year-old son.
Mayweather responded jokingly, “So, do you want me to fight with one hand? I could even do it with no hands!”
When Will the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Fight Take Place?
The main event card will start at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, with the Mayweather vs. Gotti III fight expected to kick off around midnight Eastern Time.
Where Will the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Fight Be Held?
Mexico City
What Time Is the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Fight?
The fight is anticipated to begin at approximately midnight Eastern Time.
How to Watch the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III Fight
Available on DAZN. The pay-per-view price is $49.99 (plus subscription).
Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11