The long awaited and highly anticipated world welterweight contest between champion ?Vicious? Victor Ortiz and challenger (former six weight undefeated world champion) ?Pretty Boy? Floyd ?Money? Mayweather Jr is finally upon us. The build up has been interesting with many pundits and fans having healthy debates over who will prevail and where the winner will go afterwards.
It is a classic boxer versus slugger confrontation with the flashy, skilful counterpunching defensive genius that is Mayweather Jr pitted against the rugged, tough, throw-back Ortiz. Without sounding too ?Rockyesque? it does appear to be a battle of ?Will versus Skill.?
For Mayweather Jr it is a chance to shed some ring rust and prove that he is still arguably the premier pound for pound fighter in the world today. His inability to agree terms and get into the ring with main rival Filipino Manny Pacquiao has frustrated fans across the globe and arguments still ensue between the two fighter?s fans as to who is the best. Many commentators have argued that the fight is already two years overdue and if they do ever meet it will be between slightly past their best?s antagonists.
That is overlooking what could be stylistically a much more exciting matchup between Mayweather Jr and Ortiz. Cynics have suggested that style wise Ortiz is tailor made for Mayweather Jr?s elusive and sometimes maddening style. Others contend that at 34 and fighting about once every year against hand-picked opposition that Mayweather Jr is perhaps past his prime and ready to be taken by a younger, fresher, hungrier foe.
Mayweather Jr (41-0, 25 wins inside) from Grand Rapids Michigan and now residing in Las Vegas has always been somewhat of an enigma. He can be bombastic, flashy, caustic and in your face, and yet at other times gracious, modest and polite. One thing is certain he has an unshakeable confidence and self belief and seems hell-bent on retaining his undefeated status.
