Floyd Mayweather has another exhibiting competitor who thinks he has what it takes to earn a better spot in the Hall of Famer.
John Gotti III, grandson of the famous gangster of the same name, is scheduled to fight Mayweather on June 11 at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. And he says the all-time greats better be up for a challenge.
Gotti was asked during a press conference to compare himself to other Mayweather opponents.
“I’m better than all of them,” Gotti said. “… Logan Paul and Deji were in the ring begging Floyd, ‘It’s an exhibit. Come on champion, relax.’ These are martial artists?
“… They are a joke with a huge following on Instagram or whatever they have. I have established my own identity in MMA and now in boxing. I’m not here to play. I am here to fight.”
Mayweather sat on the same stage as Gotti making his remarks. And the 46-year-old approved.
“I love his confidence,” he said of Gotti. “It doesn’t matter, whenever you play at the highest level, at any level, you have to believe in yourself. And the great thing about him is that he believes in his skills, in his talents.
“He made a name for himself. All you can do is respect that.”
Gotti’s confidence does not mean that he is not afraid of his famous rival. He is.
He said he grew up idolizing Mayweather. The fact that he would share a ring with him is surreal.
He was asked if he could have envisioned this opportunity before starting the combat business.
“Not in a million years times 10,” he said, causing Mayweather to chuckle. “Like I said, before YouTube, I was sick of watching Floyd’s videos. … Being here to be ready to fight him is a difficult moment.
“Like I said, I have to take advantage of this opportunity. [because] it just comes very often. And that is what I will do.”
That’s what they all said.
