Mayweather’s Controversial Exhibition Match Results in Referee Swap
Floyd Mayweather, a legendary boxer known for his authoritative presence both in and out of the ring, recently engaged in an exhibition match against John Gotti III, the grandson of the infamous crime boss. The highly anticipated event took place at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
The bout took an unexpected turn during the second round when Gotti complained about a punch delivered by Mayweather. Referee Hector Afu, responding to the complaint, halted the fight in order to penalize Mayweather for an illegal punch to the back of Gotti’s head. However, upon further review, it was determined that Mayweather’s punch was, in fact, legal.
Mayweather, visibly outraged by the call, lightly pushed Afu with his right hand. He then motioned for Afu to leave the ring, uttering the words “move” and “shut up” while directing his frustration towards both the referee and the people outside the ring. Such actions only added to the intensity of the situation.
Eventually, Afu exited the ring and was replaced by a new referee, allowing the fight to resume. Mayweather Promotions, owned by Mayweather himself, had organized the rematch between the two fighters. It is worth noting that the first encounter between Mayweather and Gotti ended in disqualification for Gotti due to excessive holding and trash talk. The match quickly devolved into a brawl, a stark contrast to the relatively calm atmosphere of the recent exhibition.
Despite the lackluster showing, Mayweather clearly dominated Gotti throughout the fight, leaving fans disheartened and prompting boos by the end. Since this was an exhibition match, there were no judges and no official decision. Mayweather, however, chose not to address the referee swap in his post-fight interview.
It is important to mention that Mayweather, now 47 years old, had retired from professional boxing in 2017 with a perfect 50-0 record. His return to the ring for these exhibition matches has undoubtedly generated significant interest among boxing enthusiasts.
Following the bout, Mayweather was asked about the possibility of another exhibition match, this time against the 62-year-old boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who was present as part of DAZN’s broadcast team. Mayweather respectfully declined the offer, acknowledging Chavez Sr. as one of the legends he admires. He expressed concern that such an exhibition would not reflect well on him due to Chavez Sr.’s age.
Mayweather’s actions and reactions during the exhibition match against John Gotti III added another layer of controversy to his legacy. While his boxing skills remain unmatched, his behavior both in and out of the ring continues to captivate audiences and spark conversations. It is clear that Mayweather’s influence extends far beyond his impressive record, solidifying his status as one of boxing’s most enigmatic figures.
