Did Floyd Mayweather win rematch against John Gotti III? Round time debacle, referee swap, and more

The Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III feud witnessed yet another chapter being added to it, as the two fighters clashed against one another for the second time. Their first fight, in June 2023, ended controversially. Referee Kenny Bayless had waved that match off, as both pugilists engaged in excessive mid-fight trash talk and fouling.

Up until that point, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was dominating his younger foe, thoroughly out-boxing him and even hurting him with a few well-timed and placed shots. Bayless' decision to wave the fight off led to some deeming the verdict an NC (No Contest) while others regarded it as a double disqualification (DQ).

An irate Gotti then proceeded to attack Mayweather, who defended himself. The ensuing mass brawl between the fighters' entourages precipitated several other brawls among the fans in attendance.

Check out the first Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight and post-match brawl below:

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Did Floyd Mayweather win rematch against John Gotti III?

Their long-awaited exhibition boxing rematch finally materialized earlier tonight (Aug. 24, 2024). It headlined a boxing card at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.

The first round of the Floyd Mayweather-John Gotti III rematch saw 'Money' display excellent defense and smooth offense, akin to their first encounter. Like their previous fight, the rematch was also scheduled for eight two-minute rounds.

The rematch saw some confusion from the get-go, as the referee and other officials seemed to let round one go on for longer than the two-minute mark. Gotti seemed to gesture that the round had ended, and Referee Hector Afu then called for its end and sent the fighters to their corners.

Additionally, in the first and second rounds, Gotti seemed to complain about Mayweather hitting him in the back of his head. Afu repeatedly warned Mayweather against the back of the head shots.

In the second round, Afu called for a pause in action after another shot, which was supposedly to the back of Gotti's head and therefore illegal. Mayweather seemed to be angered by the same and called for the referee to leave the ring.

Mayweather's protests against Afu appeared to have a significant impact, as he was replaced by another referee in round two, after which the round continued. Afu wasn't allowed to officiate the fight thereon, and the other referee served until the end of the match which went the eight-round distance.

As for the fight, Floyd Mayweather dominated it throughout, landing consistently to the head and body. Though Gotti showed a strong chin and occasionally chased 'Money' around the ring, he wasn't able to land clean punches on the retired professional boxer.

In the end, Mayweather looked to have done more than enough to warrant a win on the judges' scorecards. However, this exhibition boxing match was a non-scored one and didn't have an official winner.

DAZN (the platform on which the fight was streamed) deemed 'Money' the winner. Mayweather and Gotti notably embraced after the fight and showed respect toward each other.

The event's undercard saw Victor Ortiz face Rodrigo Damian Coria in an exhibition match. Many foresee Floyd Mayweather possibly boxing old rival Ortiz in an exhibition later.