Boxing great Floyd Mayweather fired the fight referee during a routine win over John Gotti III in their rematch in Mexico City.
Five-weight champion Mayweather was clearly unhappy about being warned over punching to the back of the head during the second round of the exhibition bout, reacting with a demand that was met for the official to be replaced.
The incident was perhaps the only surprise during Mayweather’s latest uneventful novelty scrap.
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Mayweather vs Gotti result
As was the case for many of Mayweather’s 50 opponents during his professional career, Gotti had few answers for the American’s jab and speed during the eight rounds of two minutes each.
Mayweather had also toyed with Gotti throughout the first fight between the pair in June 2023.
Tensions had been boiling before that showdown, spilling over into mass brawls when the fight was waved off in the sixth.
Mayweather had said he was looking to “vanquish” Gotti, who has two wins from two as a professional and is the grandson of notorious mob boss John Gotti.
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Mayweather: Chavez ‘a legend’
Speaking after his win, 47-year-old Mayweather again downplayed the prospect of an exhibition against three-weight champion Julio Cesar Chavez.
The 62-year-old Mexican last competed when he took part in an exhibition fight in July 2015.
“He’s a legend,” said Mayweather, calling Chavez “one of the guys who paved the way for me”.
“An unbelievable fighter. He beat my uncle, Roger, twice. I take my hat off to him.
“He’s one of the legends I look up to. He’s done so much for the sport of boxing and for all of the Mexican fighters after him.”
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