John Gotti III has the chance to run it back with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Mexico City on August 24, and he said that he’s going to turn up the intensity in their rematch.
Speaking at the launch press conference in Times Square, New York, Gotti said that he’s looking forward to testing his skills against one of the all-time greats of the ring.
“Obviously, I’m excited, and why not?” he said.
“I get a second chance to go against one of the greatest fighters to ever lace up boxing gloves.
“I’ve been motivated and training the whole entire year. Since the last fight ended, I’ve been in the gym. I’ve been dwelling on this fight and obsessing about this fight. Like my father said, I’m a dweller. You get me once; shame on you. You get me twice; shame on me.”
Gotti spoke about his experience of facing Mayweather in their first meeting, and and hinted at possibly being a little starstruck during their first bout.
“It was a very unique experience for me the first fight,” he admitted.
“Floyd was my idol growing up, you know? It’s no secret, this guy was my guy.”
But now, as he gets ready for the rematch later this month, Gotti said that he’s leaving reputations to one side and will give it his all to give the former multi-division world champion everything he can handle on August 24.
“Like Floyd said at the weigh-in, talk is cheap, and he’s absolutely right. Talk is cheap,” he stated.
“So, I took that to heart, and may the best man win on August 24th. I’m ready for a war, and I mean that this time from the bottom of my heart. I’m ready for a fight.”
The bout may be labelled as an exhibition, but Gotti said that he’s taking the rematch 100 percent seriously, and promised that he would do everything he can to knock out the boxing legend in Mexico City.
“I want this to be remembered as a very entertaining fight,” he said.
“Floyd keeps repeating himself, saying ‘boxing showcase’ and ‘boxing exhibition.’ I’ve been watching Floyd my whole life, since I’m a kid. I’ve never once seen Floyd show up early to an event. I was early in Florida and he’s already there warming up.
“I’ve never seen Floyd prepare the way he has, and I’ve never seen Floyd throw as many punches in two minutes as he did in our fight. So obviously it was a fight. Obviously, he wanted to hurt me and knock me out.
“So, he’s not gonna snooker me again with this exhibition nonsense. He’s coming to knock me out again, and I’m gonna try to knock him out this time, so that’s that.”
