In a surprising turn of events, Floyd Mayweather's exhibition fight against John Gotti III took a chaotic and unexpected twist as the bout concluded in a mass brawl. Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an impeccable 50-0 record, faced off against Gotti III, the grandson of notorious crime boss John Gotti, in Sunrise, Florida.
Right from the beginning, the tension was palpable inside the ring, with both fighters engaging in trash-talking. Mayweather demonstrated his superior skills, outclassing and taunting his opponent. In response, Gotti III resorted to rough tactics, including clinching and headlocks.
Referee Kenny Bayliss intervened after warning both fighters for their use of abusive language and eventually halted the fight in the sixth round. However, Gotti III, who turned professional just last year, disregarded the disqualification and persisted in attempting to throw punches at Mayweather.
This defiant reaction triggered a massive brawl, with individuals from both teams storming into the ring. Gotti III found himself cornered by numerous people, while Mayweather, sporting a smile, observed the incident while bouncing on the opposite top rope.
Videos circulating online depict the altercation continuing backstage at the FLA Live Arena, involving members from both entourages.
Mayweather, unshaken by the commotion, expressed his perspective in a YouTube video posted after the fight, saying, "That's why they pay the big bucks, because I put on a show."
Gotti III, on his Instagram story, labeled Mayweather as his "enemy for life," asserting that Mayweather "never put me down or stopped me." Gotti III also claimed that the disqualification was unwarranted, stating, "It was a DQ for no reason."
According to reports from BBC, police cleared the venue and issued warnings of potential charges against fans who did not vacate the premises immediately.
CNN reached out to the FLA Live Arena and local police for further comments on the incident.
The unexpected brawl following Mayweather's exhibition fight against Gotti III has left fans and the boxing community stunned. As details continue to unfold, the aftermath of this clash promises to generate further discussions and analysis of the events that transpired.