“Money” promises show before Gotti

During his time as an active boxer, humility was never Floyd Mayweather’s companion before a fight. In retirement, that hasn’t changed.

The American boxer promised to put on a blistering display when he faces John Gotti III in an exhibition fight in Mexico City.

This will be the first time that “Money” has performed south of the border.

“I’m happy to be here and show all my talent, I want to put on a great show,” Mayweather said at a press conference. When he got out of the elevator to the conference room, a mariachi band was waiting for him and “Money” pretended to be playing a violin and bandolin following the musical notes, amid applause.

“We are going to put on a show to entertain people from all over the world and from all walks of life.”

Mayweather, 47, retired in 2017 after a fight with Connor McGregor and has spent the past few years fighting exhibition bouts — most recently last year, when he faced Gotti III in Sunrise, near Miami, Florida. That fight was stopped in the sixth round when it degenerated into a group brawl in the ring.

“This is a great opportunity, Floyd honored his word and gave me a rematch,” Gotti III said. “He didn’t have to do it, he could have chosen otherwise, so I appreciate it and we’re going to fight, it’s going to be exciting.”

The fight will take place next Saturday night at the Mexico City Arena, located in the north of the Mexican capital. The fight will be eight rounds of two minutes and, as in the first fight, there will be no judges.

Mayweather, who arrived at the press conference in Polanco yesterday in an armoured Karnaf with satellite protection, is considered one of the best boxers in history and retired with a record of 50-0. During a career that spanned 21 years, he won world titles in five different divisions and beat rivals such as Manny Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

“One thing about me is I’ve heard it all, I’ve traveled the world and competed against the best, I competed against the best at the Olympics,” the American said. “I’ve done this a million times, I’m going to show up and do what I know how to do, I’m a fighter and I’m going to do it until the last day of my life.”

In addition to Gotti, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has faced three Japanese fighters and Logan Paul, a YouTuber and WWE wrestler, in his exhibition fights since 2018.— AP

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