By Jhonny Gonzalez

Referee Joe Cortez has received a lot of criticism from the fans and the boxing media, with nearly all of his critics being upset over the veteran referee's performance in last Saturday's controversial fight between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. During the fourth round, Ortiz apologized to Mayweather for intentionally using his head. He hugged Mayweather when the foul was committed, and then Cortez took a point away from Ortiz.

After the point was taken away, Ortiz hugged Mayweathr again, but after Ortiz pulled away from their embrace - Mayweather landed two solid punches to knock Ortiz out. Afterwards, Ortiz made allegations that Cortez never told them to continue fighting, and that's why his hands were at his side when the punches from Mayweather connected.

A replay showed Cortez instructing the timekeeper to resume the clock, but there was never a point where he looked at both boxers and instructed them to continue fighting. Cortez denies this and says the inexperience of Ortiz cost him the fight.

"I had already ordered them to continue fighting and the clock was running, but Ortiz wanted to apologize again and he was off guard. Mayweather, who is more experienced, he took advantage, but did nothing illegal. Nowhere is there a rule that says the boxer has to apologize and hug the other fighter and do it at least two or three times. If you get ordered to fight and the clock is running, you have to fight. Ortiz's inexperience cost him the fight," Cortez told Les Jimenez.