ALEX BELL
OPINION: The nature of Floyd Mayweather's win over Victor Ortiz means a match-up with Manny Pacquiao is now essential, if the five-division champion's legacy isn't to be forever tainted.
The 34-year-old Mayweather has placed himself at the very top of the tree. Forty-two wins in 42 fights, 26 by knockout, with 10 world titles, "Pretty Boy" has taken the art of not getting hit to a new level. Perceived as somewhat arrogant, he's not everyone's cup of tea - but his distasteful knockout of Ortiz on Sunday has left a very sour taste.
Top prize-fighters are forever engaging in 'trash talk'. Think Haye-Klitschko (although that was pretty pointless from the Englishman), Lewis-Tyson, Benn-Eubank... some of it's genuine but most of it is to publicise the contest and push ticket/pay-per-view sales. But once the fight is over, the pugilists embrace and there is an obvious respect - these guys are just taking care of business. Mayweather totally abused those unwritten rules against Ortiz.
Admittedly the 24-year-old head-butted Mayweather. Referee Joe Cortez dealt with the issue and deducted a point from Ortiz, who was apologetic for his actions. He went to hug Mayweather, even looking for a kiss. The ref took his eyes away from the action, presumably to check the judges had deducted the point. Cortez said "Let's box" but Ortiz was obviously not fully focused and had his hands by his side. Then Mayweather pounced...
He threw a left hook that disorientated his opponent and then a punishing right that ended the bout in brutal fashion. Ortiz was never getting up. The WBC welterweight belt was taken from the young pretender - and the crowd seemed stunned at what they'd seen. The constant booing then reflected their mood.
Now Mayweather had been wronged... the headbutt came out of nowhere as he defended himself on the ropes. But the ref was dealing with the situation and deducted a point. Even when you feel aggrieved at your opponent's tactics, you have to maintain discipline. The piece of ear Mike Tyson relieved from Evander Holyfield in their rematch can testify to that.
The major disappointment is that Mayweather had won the first three rounds, he was cruising. At least Tyson could say Holyfield was butting him constantly - a major complaint from their first bout. There was no reason for Mayweather to do what he did.
His post-fight interview with seasoned interviewer Larry Merchant perhaps implied Mayweather knew he'd made a mistake. He rants at Merchant, swearing at him, claiming he's never given him "a fair shake". And Merchant responds with: "If I was 50 years younger, I'd kick your ass!"
But if Mayweather is such a great fighter, why does he care? Because he wants respect. He wants a legacy. He wants to go down in history as one of the greats - in 2007, the often shy Mayweather said: "I respect what [Sugar Ray] Robinson and [Muhammad] Ali did for the sport. But I am the greatest and this is my time."
Well almost 15 years to the day of his first professional bout, Mayweather battered an exposed opponent to the canvas. If he wants that legacy, he simply has to make a clash with Manny Pacquiao happen. Good vs Bad, the puncher against the mover... quite simply the biggest fight of the last 30 years, if not ever. Come on Floyd, do the right thing for once.
- Stuff
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All of the fuss about the controversy surrounding this fight would have been avoided if Ortiz didn't headbutt Mayweather in the first place. Sure, it was a dumb way for the fight to end but, hey, it happened.
Headbutt led to hug to kiss to hug to stupid mistake led to KO. Stupid Ortiz.
I am a fan of the boxing skills of both Manny and Floyd. This fight will happen if Manny just takes the test, he pulled out because he says that it is at a disadvantage to him, its true to an extent, but they both have to take it anyway. I'd back Manny to still be Manny after the test so?? That's why they didn't fight last year. Both are great entertainers in the ring (when its not controversial). As soon as Manny finishes his next fight and agrees to take the test, the fight will happen no doubt. I don't think Floyd is a runner nor is Manny a doper, both just want an equal playing field, and thats where the problem is.
"Cortez said "Let's box" but Ortiz was obviously not fully focused and had his hands by his side. Then Mayweather pounced"
ARE YOU KIDDING? Cortez admitted he did not say "Box" - Mayweather stated in the post-fight interview that although the ref did not say box: The two had "touched gloves" and therefore he "did what he had to do". Both scenes are available on youtube.
I have no respect for mayweather, he was an arrogant ass to the guy interviewing at the end.. your an athlete you get asked the hard questions no need to be a fool.
Love him saying 'if i was 50 years younger i'd kick your a55'
Pacman is going to take out this baby mexican in november then april/may hopefully we will have our fight! Pacman will crush his heart
Pathetic article, "Dirty Mayweather". The first dirty action was by Ortiz, a headbutt not once but twice. This Alex fella needs to hit the Bell on his article bahahaha.
@ #18 Alfie. I think the "unwritten rule" that you are referring to went out the window as soon as Ortiz went for a flying headbutt. If that headbutt had connected flush then Ortiz would have been DQ'ed anyway. And Mayweather's face would have been a bloody mess on the canvas. The ref definitely dropped the ball in this fight. But Ortiz probably deserved what he got.
I agree with #20, Mayweather will dodge that match-up till he retires. He clearly thinks that a boxer is defined by his record so wants 2 keep his clean. However, nobody cares that Sugar Ray Robinson, the greatest boxer of all time, lost 19 fights. Its the fact that he faced all challengers and was an entertainer that wins the admiration of fans
To be the best you have to fight the best. Manny. Mayweather is running scared and has a million excuses not to fight the best. He must have nightmares that manny is coming for him.
He is scared of manny period. That sums up his legacy to me.
@MoneyTeam #17 Protect yourself at all times isnt an unwritten rule, its written and its mentioned at the start of every fight by the umpire! Unwritten rule... jeez!
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