One of the most familiar rules in boxing is ?protect yourself at all times?. While that may be true, many boxing fans feel like what Mayweather did on Saturday night was a cheap shot.
In what will go down as the most controversial endings to a championship fight in recent history, Floyd Mayweather Jr. knocked out Victor Ortiz in 2:59 of round 4 as Ortiz attempted to apologize for an intentional headbutt.
During the first 3 rounds, Ortiz exhibited only brief moments of the aggressiveness that helped earn him the WBC welterweight title from Andre Berto in April of this year.
As Mayweather had vowed, he stayed in front of Ortiz and fought toe-to-toe. Despite the fact, Ortiz was rarely able to penetrate Mayweather?s defense and was often brutalized by quick, powerful counter punches.
Ortiz picked up the pace half way through round 4 as he trapped Mayweather against the ropes and launched a flurry of punches, some of which landed cleanly.
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Near the end of the round, he pushed Mayweather to the ropes once again and fouled him with a blatantly intentional headbutt to the mouth.
Referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from Ortiz then commanded that the fight continue.
As Ortiz attempted to apologize to his opponent for the foul, he left himself completely unprotected. Mayweather took full advantage of the situation by landing a short left, then a straight right that sent Ortiz to the canvas for the full count.
Local fans expressed mixed emotions about the manner in which Mayweather won the fight.
Angie Harris of Garfield, Arkansas was appalled.
?That?s why I like MMA better than boxing,? Harris exclaimed. ?Boxing is so dirty! Even though what he did was legal, it was unethical.?
Former pro boxer Stacy Goodson of Paris, Arkansas felt that Mayweather?s method of winning was perfectly acceptable.
?Have you ever seen a fighter swallow blood for 7 or 8 rounds?? asked Goodson. ?Ortiz butted him on purpose. Mayweather did the right thing.?
Dale Pippin of Seligman, Missouri is a long-time Mayweather fan, but expressed disapproval for Mayweather?s antics.
?Pacquiao needs to knock him out,? Pippin said. ?That was wrong.?
