Victor Ortiz knocks people down, and he’s done it every time he has stepped into the ring. He also goes down, twice in his last fight alone.
It’s a pattern that can make for exciting fights. It’s also a style that plays right into the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather returns to the ring for the first time in 16 months Saturday night, facing Ortiz in a fight for a piece of the welterweight title. His experience and great defense make him a big favorite, but Mayweather vows this fight will be entertaining from the opening bell.
“I’m coming straight ahead,” Mayweather said. “This fight is not going the distance.”
In most instances, Ortiz would be seen as little more than a tuneup for a possible Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight next spring. But the 24-year-old is young and strong and coming off a huge win over Andre Berto that not only made him a champion at 147 pounds but, more importantly, got Mayweather’s attention.
