John Gotti III will take the necessary risks to get close enough to Floyd Mayweather to knock the boxing legend out.
Even if that means getting knocked out himself.
Gotti has been planning for a rematch with Mayweather for over a year since celebrities and fans became embroiled in a brawl at the end of their last fight. The clash ended with Kenny Bayless disqualifying Gotti or calling the fight a no-contest, whichever way anyone wants to see it. However, it didn’t end well and led to fears over a repeat at the return.
The savvy Mayweather decided to take the fight to Mexico and calm things down, which seems to have worked judging by Gotti’s demeanor upon his arrival.
Despite being cool, Gotti isn’t hiding the fact that he wants a brawl inside the ropes with Mayweather and is willing to do anything in his power to stop the 50-0 superstar.
“It’s night and day from 14 months ago. I’ve evolved a lot as a fighter, both mentally and physically,” said Gotti. “You can only learn and get better from an experience like our fight in Florida.
“That was my first time on a stage that big against Floyd. It’s a lot to take in for someone like me, a young fighter who has never been on that platform before. So maybe sometimes your nerves may get the best of you, but the thing is, we’ve been there, I’ve seen it. I know what to expect.
“I’ve felt Floyd’s punches. I’ve seen him move. He still got it at 47 years old, and mentally, I’ve been preparing for that style for a year. We have to get in the trenches here and fight. There is no other way. If he has to get knocked out, If I have to get knocked out, so be it. It has to happen. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen.”
Richard Schaefer, Floyd’s replacement for Leonard Ellerbe, believes Gotti has the strength to cause Mayweather problems. However, the new Mayweather Promotions CEO doesn’t see that affecting the fight’s outcome.
“The main event between Mayweather and Gotti is a real fight. I’ve had the chance to spend time with the Gottis; he [John Gotti III] means business. He’s here to fight. He’s talking about knocking out Floyd Mayweather while 50 and more before him have tried, and no one has been successful, so I am very doubtful that will happen,” said Schaefer.
“You look at him [John Gotti III], he’s big, he’s strong. Here in Mexico, I know you all love bullfights here. Gotti reminds me of a big, strong bull. Doesn’t Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather’s elegance in the ring remind you of a matador? It will be matador vs. a bull, and we all know who wins,” he concluded.
Mayweather vs. Gotti III will take place in Mexico City on August 24. DAZN will broadcast the event live in all territories.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
