Exciting, shocking, disappointing, fair, unfair all are words that could sum up Saturday nights fights in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight for as short it was went the way many expected. Floyd Mayweather displayed his superior defense and exceptional boxing skills. Mayweather’s straight right connected on Ortiz almost at will in the first three rounds of the fight. Ortiz in his defense tried to muster and get in on the inside only to be caught by the right hand of Mayweather. Floyd’s defense also stalled any hope Ortiz had to catch Floyd with any real clean shots that could hurt Mayweather and going into the 4th round, you could get the sense that Mayweather was finding his range and comfort zone.
Then…Ortiz had a small hope and in typical Mayweather fashion lured Ortiz to the ropes, Ortiz tried to unleash a flurry of shots-none of which landed clean on Floyd and what at first seemed like a punch turned out to be a a head butt. Time was called- Ortiz was deducted a point at which time Ortiz hugged, kissed and apologized to Mayweather. Things get a little strange at this point-Ref Cortez called time in, looked away and Ortiz tried to hug Mayweather once more then stepped back, hands down and Mayweather threw a left followed by a straight right that sent Ortiz to the Canvas.
Ortiz was counted out at 2:59 of the 4th round.
The ending was both surprising and slightly bizarre. It was poor sportsmanship followed more poor sportsmanship with both fighters. What Ortiz did was illegal and what Mayweather did may have not been illegal but it was far from being what you expect a true champion and talented fighter like Mayweather to do. Mayweather talks about “level playing field” and “fairness” when he speaks about Manny Pacquiao, yet on Saturday night his idea of “fair” when throwing a punch while his opponent was not protecting himself was far from that. Was it legal? Yes, but no one cares to see a fighter win by catching a defenseless opponent in the manner that occurred Saturday.
To be fair, Ortiz got what he deserved. Head butting any opponent is wrong but doing that to Floyd Mayweather, possibly the most prideful fighter in the game you would have to expect Floyd to come with bad intentions. On Saturday that came in the form of a left hook, straight right combination.
In the end, Mayweather proved he is still one of the best there is in boxing today. His combos, speed and defense didn’t show signs of being off. Mayweather did miss a bit more with the right than you’re used to seeing Floyd miss with, however that was the only small character issue Floyd had.
And then…
With how quick the ending of the fight happened the crowd went from surprise, shock and then resentment in a matter of minutes with all that occurred in the last minute of the fight. The replay of Ortiz head butting Mayweather surprised the crowd that missed it live, then it seemed as though they forgave him when Ortiz immediately apologized to Floyd more than once. However when the replay showed Floyd throw his left while Ortiz was not ready seemed to upset a majority of the fans as they booed throughout the interview portion Floyd was doing with Larry Merchant. The boos grew louder as Mayweather started to go on his rant with Merchant to the point that I didn’t hear much of it while in the arena.
Very few can match the heart Erik Morales has and Saturday was no different. Over the past decade if not longer, boxing fans have witnessed numerous fights with Morales that would make one believe that every fight and war he is in is his last. Yet he continues to fight and still has the knack to make an entertaining fight. I hope he is fighting because he wants to… not because he has to.
I arrived in Las Vegas 104 hours ago and now I embark on my return trip back home. In that time I have had the ability to catch up with old friends,meet new friends,see my Dad and Brother and watch one of the most underwhelming prize fights live in my opinion. “Starpower” this fight was not. I understand you must keep you hands up at all times but as I stated no one wants to see a fighter win like that. Regardless of how legal the punch was it doesn’t make it right. Floyd was going to win either way so I personally think he could have waited for Ortiz to put up his hands-However the Head butt negates any goodwill Ortiz had.
Curious to see what the PPV numbers for this fight will be. My money is that whatever the number is, Floyd’s next opponent will not beat it. I know boxing fans are a forgiving bunch but I have a feeling he may have permanently alienated the general public with the 24/7 antics with his father and his behavior with Larry Merchant. Unless of course it’s against Manny Pacquiao…