Even for an exhibition match, was that boxing? That’s the question almost everyone’s asking after watching the main card bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III. Boxing champion Claressa Shields, watching the event from the ringside, couldn’t believe her eyes as she witnessed a free-for-all inside the ring. Is she wondering precisely why she bought the tickets?
Mayweather Jr.’s seventh exhibition match occurred in Sunrise, Florida’s FLA Live Arena. But ultimately, how it ended might leave a question mark in most minds on how exhibition matches are carried through. In what metamorphosed into a one-sided bout, the crowd witnessed Mayweather Jr. mocking the thirty-year-old Oyster Bay native. Finally, having had enough, the latter had a go at the former champion. As a result, during the sixth round, referee Kenny Bayless warned both parties to tone down the trash-talking.
Shock and Awe in Florida; Claressa Shields
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When neither side complied, Bayless did what he had to do; he stopped the match. But by that time, rage got the better of Gotti III, who lunged at Mayweather Jr. Smiling, the former five-division world champion leaned on the ropes, defending himself, till the respective corners jumped in. Instead, it soon became a massive push-and-shove gala that might shame even a WWE WrestleMania event.
Claressa Shields, fresh after her first title defense against Maricela Cornejo a week ago, was present at the arena during her much-deserved downtime. The unpleasant conclusion to a much-hyped engagement fostered a tweet, “Never seen no shit like I [have] seen it tonight! @FloydMayweather schooled Gotti ass! And his people couldn’t handle it! ”
Never seen no shit like I seen it tonight! @FloydMayweather schooled Gotti ass! And his people couldn’t handle it!
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) June 12, 2023
A few minutes later, when the rough-and-tumble commenced, she shared a live ten-second footage, with a caption that read, “Me and @missnatalienunn ringside for #MayweatherGotti !!!! Entire brawl broke out!!!!“
Me and @missnatalienunn ringside for #MayweatherGotti !!!! Entire brawl broke out!!!! pic.twitter.com/CzCjfGDJxi
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) June 12, 2023
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Mayweather Jr. embarked on the year’s campaign with a nonscoring bout with reality television personality Aaron Chalmers a day after his forty-sixth birthday. The fight received a lackadaisical response from the English crowd. So probably with the idea to reignite the interest of the fans and followers in the upcoming contest, an announcement came on April 26 that he will face John Gotti III, a mixed martial artist who turned to professional boxing last year.
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What’s your take on the brawl during the Mayweather Jr. vs. Gotti III fight? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.
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