• Match-Up
  • Performance
  • Significance
  • PPV Demand
  • Commentating

Las Vegas, Nevada MGM Grand Casino Hotel- “Protect yourself at all times!” was the theme of tonight’s bout as boxing’s top pay-per-view earner Floyd Mayweather (42-0) Jr returns to the ring after a 16 month layoff to face a young, strong, hungry, and aggressive Victor Ortiz (29-3-2). Floyd promised to bring the fight to Ortiz, to be more active, and a KO victory. Floyd delivered on all three promises- and in memorable fashion.

Straight to the meat of the story; Victor Ortiz’, in a bizarre-rage filled felt the need to head-but Floyd- bursting his lip. Veteren referee Joe Cortez, immediately broke up the action, ordered Mayweather to stay in the corner, called a time stoppage, grabbed Ortiz by the hand and began parading him to the 4 sides of the ring to signal to the judges a 1 point deduction. Cortez then ordered both fighters to go opposite corners. At the same time he was instructing Ortiz “don’t do that again.” With both fighters at opposite corners, Cortez says “let’s go!” while waving his hands in the proper jester indicating the continuation of the action. Ortiz, feeling guilt, approached Mayweather with his arms open offering a hug and an apology. Floyd with a focused, menacing expression on his face, approached Ortiz slowly with this hands up in a punching position and did not embrace Ortiz. Instead Floyd fired a quick left jab. Ortiz shocked, looked to Cortez who was glancing at the ringside referee confirming the time, and Floyd followed with a devastating right hand to Ortiz’ chin that sent him to the ground like a sack of potatos.

Immediately the ringside ref who was focused on the action in the ring, began the count, then Cortez began his count from  the same number ringside ref was currently and Ortiz could not make it to his feet! Ortiz who was handily being dominated by Floyd Mayweather Jr was knocked out because he had 2 consecutive lapses in concentration: 1, he was so frustrated that he head-butted Floyd. 2, Ortiz wanted to hug and apologize during continuation time.

Here you can clearly see Victor is the only one trying to hug

The biggest question surrounding the event was whether or not was Floyds punches illegal or legal? “Time was in, the fighter needed to keep his guard up. Mayweather did nothing illegal,” Cortez said. Thoughts of sportsmanship come into conversation but unfortunately for Victor Ortiz, boxing rules don’t cover moments of bromance or hugging. If Ortiz was smart he would have learned that lesson from the mistake that Shane Mosley made against Mayweather when he played dirty against Floyd, was broken up by the referee, then when brought back together tried to apologize to Floyd. Mayweather responded with the same quick left hook and a straight right to the face. “Protect yourself at all times.”

 

Floyd’s performance was specular from the opening bell. Mayweather was dominating the fight in unexpected fashion. The second highlight of the night was the post fight interview between Mayweather and HBO ringside commentator Larry Merchant. When Merchant questioned Floyd about the ethics of this KO, Floyd responded “the rules are protect yourself at all times.” After Larry tried to press the issue, Floyd became aggravated and lashed out at Merchant saying “We touched gloves… We’re back to fighting…. Hook! Right hand… and that’s all she wrote!” Merchant, attempting again to probe for some sort of underlining detail was cut off by Floyd’s response, “you never give me a fair shake, you know that? So i’m gonna go ahead and let you talk to Victor Ortiz, alright. I’m through. Put somebody else up here to give me an interview- go talk to Ortiz. HBO needs to fire you- you don’t know ain’t shit about boxing! You ain’t shit! You’re not shit!” As the crowd booed, Merchant responded, “I wish I was 50 years younger and I’d kick your ass!”

Mayweather vs Larry Merchant in 2012?

Floyd vs Manny next? According to Floyd, if Manny is willing to take the random Olympic Style Drug Testing up to 7 days of the fight, he will fight Manny next. We’ll just have to wait- again, and see what happens.

Watch the Mayweather vs Ortiz full fight here.