Floyd Mayweather Jr’s defensive chops were tested in a brief brawl with John Gotti III after their exhibition came to an abrupt end.
The FLA Live Arena in Florida played host to ‘Money’ Mayweather’s latest effort inside the ropes – another pit stop on a tour around the word that has sees him break a little sweat to make a lot of bank.
His opponent was the grandson of the former boss of the Gambino crime family. Sure, he has a a 5-1 record in MMA and 2-0 record in professional boxing, but the mob background is what sold it.
Mayweather came out confident in the first, taunting Gotti from the off and displaying a little more aggression that fans of these exhibitions are used to. It bamboozled the challenger, as it would most people on earth.
Although slower paced, it continued like that for five rounds. Gotti’s team didn’t like the trash talk from the former multiple weight world champion and were becoming visibly frustrated.
It would go on for much longer anyway, as referee Kenny Bayless waved proceedings off when Gotti continued to hold Mayweather after various warning. The gangster’s family member didn’t take it well. He pushed by Bayless and begin to swing for Mayweather.
For his part, the 50-0 superstar displayed that famed defence, and even threw a counter in there to stagger his attacker backwards. Both teams entered the ring and it was broken up not long after.
It was some jeopardy that most other Mayweather exhibitions lack, so that’s something, but ugle scenes to end it nonetheless.