Previous foe of unbeaten star wants a rematch to controversial encounter.
Perfection as a whole is an inherently imperfect concept. Anything can have holes poked in it or have its true quality laid bare, and that’s because nothing is truly as flawless as it seems.
To speak of Floyd Mayweather Jr. is to discuss a man who was something close to the perfect boxer, at least on paper. His style ensured he took extremely few genuine punches. His presence in a headliner represented the most high-quality product a pay-per-view could buy.
And of course, that glossy, glistening, shiny, evergreen 50-0 record.
Despite this, Mayweather had (and still has) many detractors, those that swear he lost his first fight with José Luis Castillo, who thought he was outworked by Oscar De La Hoya, who believe he was beaten in his first encounter with Marcos Maidana, and there are still a few who had him losing to Manny Pacquiao.
Whatever you may think, 46-4 is nowhere near as pretty as 50-0. However, one of Mayweather’s most controversial moments would actually be in one of the times he would win inside the distance.
In 2011, Mayweather would fight Victor Ortiz, the reigning WBC welterweight champion. Across the first three rounds, Mayweather would display all the technical brilliance that had come to be expected of him.
But in the fourth, Ortiz would unleash on Mayweather, ramming him into the ropes and headbutting him intentionally.
For the infraction, Ortiz was deducted a point by referee Joe Cortez after time was called. Once the action resumed, an apologetic Ortiz hugged Mayweather in the middle of the ring.
Once the embrace ended, Mayweather immediately tagged Ortiz with a left hook and a right hand. Ortiz, who had left his guard down, was completely unprepared for the sudden attack and was sent to the canvas as a result.
From there, Ortiz would be counted out and Mayweather would win by KO.
The spectacle had been a contentious one, needless to say. While many berated Mayweather’s lack of sportsmanship, others pointed to the oft-repeated mantra of “protect yourself at all times”.
The night would even produce an iconic post-fight clash between Mayweather and HBO commentator Larry Merchant, the interaction famously concluding with Merchant telling the new champion, “I wish I was 50 years younger and I’d kick your ass!”
But now Victor Ortiz has expressed a desire to rematch Mayweather 15 years following those events, saying in a recent interview with The Sun, “I mean, you gotta stay away with me. Of course you do. I’m bigger. I hit hard with both hands. I’m left-handed, and this time around, there’s no forgiveness.”
Mayweather recently turned 49 and is set for a professional rematch with Manny Pacquiao in September. Ortiz acknowledged the rematch, asking, “Why can’t you take me, bro?”
Should Mayweather beat Pacquiao for a second time, it remains to be seen what else the American pugilistic giant would want to take part in. Maybe those plans would include a Victor Ortiz rematch.
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