SUNRISE – Tonight (June 11), boxing legend Floyd Mayweather made his triumphant return back to the ring.
After a historic twenty-year career, including an undefeated professional record of 50 wins (27 by knockout), and 15 major World Championship belts in five different weight classes (Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight and Light Middleweight), Mayweather retired on top in 2017 following his TKO victory over UFC legend Connor McGregor. In 2021, Floyd Mayweather was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mayweather and his sponsors occasionally host exhibition matches that help promote young and upcoming fighters. This week, Mayweather productions hosted the “Last Names Matter” event. Mayweather’s opponent was budding MMA star John Gotti III. Gotti came into tonight’s match with a 5-1 MMA record, as well as a 2-0 boxing record.
Tonight, Mayweather Productions hosted six fights at FLA Live Arena:
• Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III, 8 rounds
• Ulysses Diaz vs. Khalas Karim, 8 rounds, light heavyweight
• Jarrell Miller vs. Antonio Zepeda, 4 rounds, heavyweight
• Hector Lombard vs. Eric Turner, 4 rounds, light heavyweight
• J’Hon Ingram vs. Ryan Lee Allen, 4 rounds, light welterweight
• Kamari Burnside vs. Brendan Jackson, 3 roundsFight week was hosted at the beautiful Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. The scenes at the Fontainebleau were truly breathtaking, and the atmosphere was incredible all week long.
Let’s take a look at tonight’s co-feature and main event
Ulysses “Monster” Diaz vs Khallas Karim
Tonight’s co-feature between Miami native Ulysses Diaz (14-1) and the UK’s Khallas Karim (N/A) certainly did not disappoint. The first meeting between Diaz and Karim was held in February 2023 as a part of the Mayweather vs. Chalmers promotion.
This fight went all eight rounds and ended with a no-decision. Because of the uncertain ending, all eyes have been on the rematch between these two elite fighters.
Throughout pre-fight interviews, both boxers showed their utmost respect for each other, but they also made sure to let the world know a true winner will be crowned in Miami.
Tonight, Diaz and Karim faced off in an eight-round exhibition match. This match was a battle of youth vs. experience. Both fighters showed off their elite speed and power throughout the match.
The crowd was certainly a factor for this fight. It seemed like Diaz was fighting with the city of Miami backing him up. They were truly supportive of the hometown hero during the whole fight.
During the first two rounds, there wasn’t a lot of action. Both fighters were feeling out their opponent in a mental chess game. As the fight progressed, Karim and Diaz were landing devastating blows on each other.
During the seventh round, the two fighters started having fun. As they exchanged punches, they started barking like dogs at each other.
As the fight ended, both fighters remained upright. The first thing they did as the fight ended was embrace each other in a hug, and congratulate his opponent on an amazing fight.
After 16 rounds of war, there truly is a special brotherhood between Kallas Karim and Ulysses Diaz.
Floyd Mayweather vs John Gotti III
Now let’s talk about the main event, Mayweather vs. Gotti. Leading into tonight’s match, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind was:
“How will John Gotti be able to handle Mayweather’s speed and elusiveness?”
Gotti retaliated to these questions by stating:
“They are going to be pleasantly surprised with my hand speed and my power tomorrow night. Me and Floyd are going to put on a show, and we’re going to entertain everyone that’s there”
Tonight’s headliner lived up to all of the hype. From the opening bell, this was a fight to remember.
Early on, Mayweather showed off his elite speed and elusiveness, proving he still has it. He made his presence known, landing dodging and weaving multiple Gotti blows.
Another key aspect to Mayweather’s game was his trash talk. As he was dodging punches he kept chirping towards the Gotti bench and the fans.
John Gotti showed off the elite power and hand speed that he was talking about during the press conferences. Despite Mayweather’s agility, Gotti was still able to land multiple blows on the Champ.
During the sixth round, all hell broke loose. After numerous rounds of taunting between the fighters, a true fight started on the ring. As members of team Mayweather and Gotti rushed the ring, both fighters were immediately escorted out of the arena.
The remainder of the fight was obviously cancelled.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: This whole weekend was an amazing experience. I had a great time getting to cover one of the greatest athletes of all time, as well as the rising stars of boxing. Thank you to our friends at NewsStiched Media for the opportunity.
