In the boxing world, where punches and parries make headlines, verbal jabs have equally significant impacts. The latest to step into this shadow ring is none other than John Gotti III, grandson of infamous mob boss John Gotti. He recently threw a verbal haymaker that landed squarely on revered boxing referee, Kenny Bayless. However, this punch wasn’t hurled in a crowded arena but delivered during a rather unexpected setting, a quiet, intimate interview.

Gotti’s accusations have ignited a wildfire of controversy that threatens to consume the boxing world. As the dust settles on the explosive fight night that saw Floyd Mayweather Jr. face Gotti, the young boxer has begun to break his silence, implicating both Mayweather and Bayless in a startling revelation that could flip the narrative of that infamous night on its head. It seems the brawl has only just begun.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout: A shift in the narrative

One of the best referees in boxing for a long time is Kenny Bayless, who is currently in the spotlight. In the course of his illustrious career, he has presided over some of boxing’s biggest contests. He has been a part of storied matches like the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao confrontation, known as the “Fight of the Century.” His involvement in crucial decisions has largely been unchallenged, making Gotti’s accusations even more sensational and unusual.

In the aftermath of the chaotic Mayweather-Gotti brawl, John Gotti III broke his silence during an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour. Gotti recalls, “Early in the fight Floyd was taunting, you know my whole crowd and section heavy and saying what he had to say. I kind of said to Floyd in the fight. I said it’s like that, and he made it very clear it’s like that. So listen, the minute I started doing it back to Floyd, it became a problem… But early on, Kenny Bayless didn’t say two words to Floyd, you know that’s, it wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair.”

It’s clear from Gotti’s words that he believes Bayless treated the fighters unevenly, favoring Mayweather. Which, he suggests, led to an escalation of tension and eventual chaos inside the ring.