Mayweather's controversial knockout punch
FLOYD ‘MONEY’ MAYWEATHER 42-0 (26 KOs) controversially knocked out ‘Vicious’ Victor Ortiz 29-3-2 (22) to become WBC welterweight champion in an amazing turn of events in the fourth round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather had been in charge of the world title bout from the first bell when midway through the fourth he came under pressure from Ortiz for the first real time of the night.
The young world champion had Mayweather against the ropes when he purposely head butted his legendary challenger. The referee separated the two but as the two fighters came together in apology Mayweather looked to avenge that head butt with a power left and right combo as Ortiz stood unprotected.
Replays after the fight showed referee Joe Cortez say ‘box on’ but turned away to the timekeeper as the two fighters came in to touch gloves to make peace over the foul head butt. It may have been technically legal but unethical from Mayweather but having been victim of a head butt many could argue that Ortiz should have took it upon himself to have had his defence up.
The fight started with the ‘Money man’ starting the brighter shrugging off claims he may suffer from ring rust and nullified the threat of Ortiz. Along with having to deal with a slick and front footed Mayweather, Ortiz looked to be making the wrong decisions in going for the head rather than the unprotected body.
Mayweather looked to be on the verge of putting in a master class as the fight entered into rounds two and three making the WBC champion look ordinary and coming through any flurry of punches unscathed. It was exciting but a tactical Mayweather manoeuvring his shoulders avoiding the wild swings of his American-Mexican opponent winning the rounds with one-shot left handed jabs.
During round 4 Mayweather started to step up his game and produced a series of combination punches, the first time we had seen them during the fight from the 34-year-old. Then came the moment this fight will be remembered for, for years if not decades when Ortiz finally pressurised Mayweather onto the ropes and begun to unleash on his challenger.
After a few punches had missed their target the man, who has knocked down each of his opponents in all his 33 professional fights, seemed to thrust forward his head in a vicious head butt. A stunned Mayweather did not look impressed with the efforts of Ortiz to apologise and referee Cortez escorted the shamed champion away. As they came together Cortez actioned them to box on but turned away, as he did both fighters came into touch gloves and hug as a peace maker. Mayweather then immediately threw a vengeful combination to floor Ortiz and Cortez to his surprise began to count out the young Mexican.
Many will have different opinions on the events and many will do for years to come, legally it was a KO and Mayweather should have completed a memorable comeback in style but the way it happened will have marred the win. When interviewed by Larry Merchant after the fight Mayweather took offence to his questioning whether his knockout was a cheap shot and had a foul-mouthed rant and said, “Go interview Victor, you haven’t given me a fair shake. I wish HBO would fire you, you don’t know s**t about boxing.”
Merchant did not shy away from that as he replied, “If I was 50 years younger I would kick your a**.”
Ortiz was interviewed after and his reaction to what happened, “Everyone makes mistakes there was a bit of miscommunication with the referee but nobody is perfect. These things happen. It’s a learning experience”
Both fighters did not do themselves any good and will not come out of the night with much credit. As the event came to a halt though the thought on everyone’s mind was the desperation to see Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather finally get in the ring because despite what happened Ortiz was no match. Pacquiao is probably the only fighter around that is.
They were amazing scenes in what was a drama-filled night at the first ever dual-site mega event.
For Saul Alvarez and the rest of the “Star Power” card report visit: http://www.undisputedfightmag.com/?p=252
Greg Grimes
@ggrimes10
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