Floyd Mayweather faces off with mafia boss' grandson ahead of exhibition fight
Floyd Mayweather has faced-off with upcoming exhibition rival John Gotti III ahead of his latest money-spinning fight.
The boxing legend has been taking on a series of exhibition fights since retiring as a professional setting a 50-0 undefeated record with victory over Conor McGregor in 2017. However 'Money' has not stepped away from the sport by any means and has earned huge purses for boxing showcases - including fights with Logan Paul, Deji and ex-sparring partner Don Moore.
Mayweather was in Florida on Thursday to launch his latest fighting event which will once again be broadcast on streaming service Zeus around the globe. And the boxing legend was in full spirits insisting he enjoyed his opponent's confidence going into the fight. “Gotti I love his confidence," Mayweather said at the launch press conference for his exhibition.
"Whenever you are competing at the highest level, you have to believe in yourself and he believes in himself. He is supposed to have a game plan, he wouldn’t be up here if he didn’t believe his skills. He is carrying the last name but doing it the way he wants to do it."
Mayweather has earned several lucrative purses for his fights including an expected seven-figure payday for his most recent performance in the UK. The 50-0 legend outclassed Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers but was taken the distance in his previous outing, and it was uncertain if he would fight in the immediate aftermath.
YouTuber shows off his bruised face after being beaten up by Floyd MayweatherHowever Gotti III - the grandson of notorious New York mob boss John Gotti - has received the call-up having fought in two recent boxing appearances since making the switch from MMA. And having watched a whole host of influencers try to outwit the boxing great, Gotti III believes he could be the man to deliver a damaging blow to the twilight years of his rival's time in the sport.
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“I did school projects on Floyd. I have been team Mayweather since nine years old but it is time to get it on and fight. I’m going to show him what these previous YouTubers couldn’t do because they suck. But Floyd is going to have to earn his money. This is a real fight I am not here to play and I am ready to fight.
"Make no mistake on June 11 I am bringing bad intentions to that man, and I don't care if it is an exhibition fight or not it is kill or be killed. I have never met Floyd before today and not in one million years did I think I would be fight. I was watching Floyd on YouTube previously so the fact I am up here and getting to fight him is a pinch me moment."