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This is the argument being spouted by Floyd Mayweather's most staunch defenders. While I have nothing against Floyd Mayweather, his fans need to shut up. If the man, himself, wouldn't have said this, you wouldn't be saying this. You didn't think of it on your own, and you are embarrassing to listen to when you say it.
That said, on to the horse that's been dead for almost a week now.
Let me start off by saying that Mayweather was winning the fight. No questions asked, he was ahead 3 rounds to 0 entering the 4th. He was at the sharpest I've seen him in years. It was truly impressive. He was also going to win this fight. I don't dispute that at all, but Ortiz was definitely doing more in the 4th round, prior to the illegal headbutt, and managed to land with some aggressive flurries. Were they bothering Floyd? Probably not. But he (Ortiz) may have escaped with that round had he not committed the foul.
Speaking of which: it was a foul. No disputes. What Ortiz did was dirty, and completely unnecessary given that he was probably winning that round if he maintains the pace.
The big controversy has, of course, surrounded Mayweather and the knockout punch(es). He used the phrase, "Protect yourself at all times," when asked if his actions were unsportsmanlike. While it's a clever quip, and is certainly a part of the game, consider how he approached the knockout:
We keep hearing how Ortiz made the "rookie mistake" of seeking to offer further apology to Mayweather after Referee Cortez signaled the time keeper to resume. Whether or not Ortiz saw the signal is another matter entirely, and really not as relevant. What we do see is that Mayweather didn't obey the signal either...
Cortez signals the go ahead, and Mayweather approaches Ortiz with his own gloves down. Seeing his humbled and remorseful opponent offering a sincere apology for playing dirty, does Floyd resume fighting? Does Floyd signal that he's ready to go? Does Floyd display any body language to suggest that he's aware the fight is continuing? No! He's completely aware that Ortiz hasn't heard the signal to resume, however. He opens his arms, nods his head, and acknowledges the Bro Hug. He moves in with a casual hug, knowing that this will disarm Ortiz, and then sucker punches him on the break.
Watch his mouth, and his body language. He uses the remorse of his opponent against him, intentionally, and without shame. Floyd is a consummate professional, in most aspects, but this was far dirtier than the crime that set this up. For one, it's not in his authority to right a wrong; that's the job of the officials and the Commission. Second, two wrongs don't make a right, and he completely took advantage of the chaotic situation to "payback" his opponent for the headbutt.
Again, Floyd Mayweather was going to win, and probably all but maybe a round or two. It was likely going to be a knockout anyway. The real losers here are the fans, as the fight was finally becoming interesting prior to Ortiz's imitation of an Irish rugby player. It could have become a war, or it could have been a beautiful display of Mayweather's ability and tactical dissemination. Either way, it would have been more than 3 rounds of dominance, one cheap shot, two cheap shots, over.
The only reason I bring this up is because I keep reading and hearing about the miscommunication, as well as whether or not Ortiz made a rookie mistake by offering an apology. No one is mentioning that Floyd Mayweather clearly, and purposefully used his opponent's own genuine remorse to render him defenseless just so he could land free punches. It doesn't matter if it was technically legal, because Cortez himself can't make up his mind as to whether he officially signaled the go ahead or not, and clearly both fighters were confused. What we do know is, Mayweather had no intentions of resuming the fight, as normal, nor was he going to let Ortiz think like a fighter in that moment. As bad as the foul was on the part of Ortiz, it pales in comparison to the shameless cowardice offered by Mr. Money. At least Ortiz felt bad about what he did. Mayweather has tried to use an official's warning to defend his actions, knowing full well that he duped and took advantage of his opponent.
That said, I wanted to see Mayweather win (legitimately), because every time he and Pacquiao win, it makes the build up that much greater. I want to see them both at their very best if and when they finally clash. Mayweather's impenetrable defense against Pacquiao's relentless offense.
NOTE: I am not a "*****" or "*******." I root for boxing. Those big, colorful foam and leather mittens? That's what I want to see. This fight was just getting interesting, even if it would have been short-lived, but both guys spoiled it for us. While it sounds as if I'm all over Mayweather, it's because he was the attraction here; he's one of the major faces of the sport. He could have handled it like a champion, reset, and won the way he always does. Instead, he elected to pretend to accept an apology, and then used the hug to set up punches.
That said, on to the horse that's been dead for almost a week now.
Let me start off by saying that Mayweather was winning the fight. No questions asked, he was ahead 3 rounds to 0 entering the 4th. He was at the sharpest I've seen him in years. It was truly impressive. He was also going to win this fight. I don't dispute that at all, but Ortiz was definitely doing more in the 4th round, prior to the illegal headbutt, and managed to land with some aggressive flurries. Were they bothering Floyd? Probably not. But he (Ortiz) may have escaped with that round had he not committed the foul.
Speaking of which: it was a foul. No disputes. What Ortiz did was dirty, and completely unnecessary given that he was probably winning that round if he maintains the pace.
The big controversy has, of course, surrounded Mayweather and the knockout punch(es). He used the phrase, "Protect yourself at all times," when asked if his actions were unsportsmanlike. While it's a clever quip, and is certainly a part of the game, consider how he approached the knockout:
We keep hearing how Ortiz made the "rookie mistake" of seeking to offer further apology to Mayweather after Referee Cortez signaled the time keeper to resume. Whether or not Ortiz saw the signal is another matter entirely, and really not as relevant. What we do see is that Mayweather didn't obey the signal either...
Cortez signals the go ahead, and Mayweather approaches Ortiz with his own gloves down. Seeing his humbled and remorseful opponent offering a sincere apology for playing dirty, does Floyd resume fighting? Does Floyd signal that he's ready to go? Does Floyd display any body language to suggest that he's aware the fight is continuing? No! He's completely aware that Ortiz hasn't heard the signal to resume, however. He opens his arms, nods his head, and acknowledges the Bro Hug. He moves in with a casual hug, knowing that this will disarm Ortiz, and then sucker punches him on the break.
Watch his mouth, and his body language. He uses the remorse of his opponent against him, intentionally, and without shame. Floyd is a consummate professional, in most aspects, but this was far dirtier than the crime that set this up. For one, it's not in his authority to right a wrong; that's the job of the officials and the Commission. Second, two wrongs don't make a right, and he completely took advantage of the chaotic situation to "payback" his opponent for the headbutt.
Again, Floyd Mayweather was going to win, and probably all but maybe a round or two. It was likely going to be a knockout anyway. The real losers here are the fans, as the fight was finally becoming interesting prior to Ortiz's imitation of an Irish rugby player. It could have become a war, or it could have been a beautiful display of Mayweather's ability and tactical dissemination. Either way, it would have been more than 3 rounds of dominance, one cheap shot, two cheap shots, over.
The only reason I bring this up is because I keep reading and hearing about the miscommunication, as well as whether or not Ortiz made a rookie mistake by offering an apology. No one is mentioning that Floyd Mayweather clearly, and purposefully used his opponent's own genuine remorse to render him defenseless just so he could land free punches. It doesn't matter if it was technically legal, because Cortez himself can't make up his mind as to whether he officially signaled the go ahead or not, and clearly both fighters were confused. What we do know is, Mayweather had no intentions of resuming the fight, as normal, nor was he going to let Ortiz think like a fighter in that moment. As bad as the foul was on the part of Ortiz, it pales in comparison to the shameless cowardice offered by Mr. Money. At least Ortiz felt bad about what he did. Mayweather has tried to use an official's warning to defend his actions, knowing full well that he duped and took advantage of his opponent.
That said, I wanted to see Mayweather win (legitimately), because every time he and Pacquiao win, it makes the build up that much greater. I want to see them both at their very best if and when they finally clash. Mayweather's impenetrable defense against Pacquiao's relentless offense.
NOTE: I am not a "*****" or "*******." I root for boxing. Those big, colorful foam and leather mittens? That's what I want to see. This fight was just getting interesting, even if it would have been short-lived, but both guys spoiled it for us. While it sounds as if I'm all over Mayweather, it's because he was the attraction here; he's one of the major faces of the sport. He could have handled it like a champion, reset, and won the way he always does. Instead, he elected to pretend to accept an apology, and then used the hug to set up punches.
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