HOT POTATO on Star Power – They call him “unsportsmanlike”. But, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the new WBC Welterweight Champion, is a man of strong opinions and disposition. And you can’t take that away from him. He is never shy about expressing them, both in words and in the ring. In that tumultuous fourth round, Ortiz head-butted the challenger and referee Joe Cortez immediately called time and deducted a point. And the son fo Grand Rapids, Michigan rather showed sportmanship that brought Ortiz acknowledging the intentional foul in a split-personality fashion whereby Ortiz hugged Mayweather apologetically before kissing him on the cheek. Then, after summoning the two fighters to go to the middle of the ring and after the end of the time out, Referee Joe Cortez signaled to touch each other gloves to resume the fight. Thereafter, Ortiz had his hands down after verbally acknowledging more than thrice his mistake and, in fact, feeling sorry about it. Mayweather otherwise took notice of the chance and landed a left hook followed by a straight right that put Ortiz out for the count.
Such, for sure, may not be pleasing to those who are rooting for Ortiz. But, a sucker punch in that sense was legal, though less acceptable by some observers. It was referee Cortez who was clumpsy in handling the two fighters, that must be blamed.
Ortiz, 24, who admitted the head-butt was a big mistake and, in fact, conceded the ending was deserved however controvertial it is, must learn his ways early on: guarding himself for potential retaliation.
In fairness to Mayweather (42-0-0), he had done nothing dirty nor would he be guilty of doing dirty tactics. It was Ortiz who instigated a street fight tactic.
