Floyd Mayweather was accused of “blindsiding” Victor Ortiz in the aftermath of a controversial fourth round finish here tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. The fourth round will be debated and argued over for a long time. Mayweather, who had been looking to be more dominant and aggressive with his right hand lead, was caught on the ropes by Ortiz after an assault in the middle of the ring. As Mayweather covered up, their heads came close together and Ortiz bent from the middle and headbutted Mayweather. It was both out of the blue, and shocking. Mayweather recoiled away, and referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from Ortiz. Ortiz planted a kiss on Mayweather cheek, and hugged him, apologizing. Cortez sent Ortiz to a neutral corner. He indicated the point had been deducted. The fighter’s came together in the middle. Mayweather held out his hands, to touch, and Ortiz went to embrace his rival. As they moved apart, referee Cortez was separated slightly from them and was looking away from the fighters. Mayweather saw an opportunity. Ortiz did not have his hands up. He sent out a left hook. It wobbled Ortiz. Ortiz looked at Cortez after the left hook. Mayweather threw a hard straight right. Ortiz went down. Cortez counted him out. There was uproar in the arena. It was a contest in which Mayweather look dominant, aggressive, measured and the consummate fighter. It will be seen as an unsavoury finish from Mayweather, just as the headbutt. Mayweather took sneaky revenge, Ortiz should have kept his hands up. It will remain controversial. It will be debated hard and long. The Ortiz team will demand a rematch. But theu are unlikely to get it. Mayweather will move on. Ortiz took his eye off the ball.
