In a highly anticipated rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III on Saturday night, boxing fans were left underwhelmed as the bout failed to deliver the expected excitement. The match, which unfolded over two-minute rounds, lacked the drama and standout moments that fans had hoped for, and was marked by an unusual and controversial incident that overshadowed the entire fight.

The night took a surprising turn during the second round when Mayweather, after a complaint from Gotti about an alleged illegal “rabbit punch” — a blow to the back of the head — saw the referee ejected from the ring. Initial replays suggested that the punch in question was actually a looping hook that slipped past Gotti’s defense, but the referee halted the fight to allow Gotti some time to recover.

In a move that stunned both spectators and viewers, Mayweather demanded the referee “move out of the way,” leading to the referee being replaced mid-fight. This unprecedented action saw a new referee stepping into the ring to oversee the rest of the bout. The incident was captured in a video, which has since gone viral:
Watch Video.

The crowd’s reaction to this bizarre situation was immediate and vocal. Fans took to social media to express their disbelief, with many comparing the event to a scripted WWE spectacle rather than a professional boxing match. Comments ranged from shock and amusement to outright ridicule. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I’ve never seen this. Mayweather fired the referee mid-fight,” while another added, “Mayweather fires the ref mid-fight. That was crazy to witness lol. That smirk at the end…” A third fan remarked on the chaotic nature of the incident, noting, “Another #MayweatherGotti fight, another clown show moment. This time the ref got fired and replaced mid-fight. Really hope no one paid for this glorified WWE nonsense in a boxing ring.”

Despite the controversial referee change, the remainder of the fight proceeded without further interruptions. However, the crowd’s dissatisfaction grew as the bout continued. From the sixth round onward, boos echoed throughout the venue as Mayweather focused on body shots and occasional uppercuts, while Gotti appeared resigned to enduring the punches. The discontent was palpable during Mayweather’s post-fight interview, reflecting the overall disappointment with the lackluster performance.

Ultimately, the rematch failed to live up to its hype, with the mid-fight referee swap becoming the most memorable and talked-about aspect of an otherwise uneventful exhibition. As the boxing community continues to debate the implications of this unusual incident, questions about the integrity of the match and the conduct of both fighters remain at the forefront of the discussion