It's time for the Floyd Mayweather exhibition experiment to end: Examining his recent rematch with John Gotti III
Floyd Mayweather just wrapped up another exhibition bout, this time a rematch with John Gotti III. It was a fight no one was clamoring for, yet happened nonetheless. Why? 'Money' likes money, and this was highway robbery, with both men earning big for doing little.
This has been Mayweather's mantra ever since he retired from professional boxing in 2017. However, even that bout, a boxing match with former UFC double champion Conor McGregor, was a gimmick. Most experts gave 'The Notorious' no chance of beating Mayweather, and they were right.
Unfortunately, Mayweather has refused to deviate from this path of easier fights for large purses. While he once fought genuinely skilled combat sports athletes, the caliber of his opposition has continued to decline and it begs the question: What is the point of it all?
There is no intrigue in Floyd Mayweather bouts anymore
In the past, fans tuned into Floyd Mayweather fights because they either hated him or admired him. For his detractors, the hope was that he would eventually lose and they would be there to watch his glorious downfall. Meanwhile, his supporters marveled at just how long he could maintain his perfect run of form.
After 50 professional fights, Mayweather retired as an undefeated multi-division champion. His legacy is legendary, and he is one of the greatest boxers of all time. For this reason, his choice of opponent is important to generating interest in his matchups. It was why his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao was so compelling.
Now, that intrigue is gone. Mayweather isn't challenging himself in any way. After his recent rematch with John Gotti III, the question of intrigue rings even louder. What was the selling point? Gotti is a subpar fighter and a woefully inexperienced boxer.
Check out Floyd Mayweather's rematch with John Gotti III:
The post-fight brawl from their first encounter was the only entertaining aspect of it, as Mayweather had toyed with Gotti in dominant fashion prior. There's just no buzz anymore.
Floyd Mayweather's options are limited
Based on who Floyd Mayweather has faced recently, the caliber of opponents he is chasing is clear. John Gotti III is 5-1 in MMA and 2-0 in boxing. He is little more than a regional talent, known more for his association with an Italian-American crime family whose days in the sun have long since set.
This is the type of fighter Mayweather is content with facing now. At 47 years old, he will look to find fighters of similar skill. In short, overmatched opponents with some combat sports experience, or at the very least a sizable fanbase, likely from social media, given the crossover between influencers and boxers as of late.
However, his options are growing thinner. There aren't many more fighters Mayweather can face who don't pose a risk as he grows older. While he can always pick from the talent pool of influencers who transition to boxing, even that is thinning, as influencer boxing has plateaued in the hype it generates.
He'll never fight the likes of Jake Paul or KSI, who despite the massive skill gap, are too big and too powerful for him at 47 years old. He has one remaining option in boxer-turned-actor Victor Ortiz, who 'Money' once knocked out in controversial fashion back in 2011 to capture WBC welterweight gold.
"Floyd, it's been 13 years since we danced, man," Ortiz said. "You owe me that rematch, but I get it. When you're scared, you're scared."
Check out Victor Ortiz's recent callout of Floyd Mayweather:
In fact, Ortiz even fought on the undercard of Mayweather's bout with Gotti. It may very well be the last compelling bout he can pursue before he runs out of opponents, besides a possible rematch with Manny Pacquiao. 'Money' should close the door on his exhibition boxing days.
There is little point to it besides financial gain, which shouldn't be hard for him to come by given his many streams of income. It would also spare him the embarrassment of a potentially damaging bout if he faces the wrong person when 'Father Time' decides to truly slow him down.
It can happen overnight, and Mayweather would be wise to prevent it.