The highly-publicized clash between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz is remembered for its controversial conclusion. The encounter between the two fighters occurred on September 17, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and Ortiz competed for the vacant WBC welterweight title, which Mayweather had relinquished during his retirement. Ortiz, a determined and young boxer, aimed to establish his reputation by taking on the undefeated Mayweather. More than a decade later, the fight is still recalled for its contentious ending.
The initial rounds of the match were fiercely contested, with both fighters having their moments of success. However, the turning point came in the fourth round when Ortiz, in an attempt to break through Mayweather’s defense, instigated a headbutt. Referee Joe Cortez penalized Ortiz by deducting a point for the foul. Following the point deduction, Ortiz approached Floyd Mayweather to offer an apology, and it was at this moment that Mayweather seized the opportunity to unleash devastating knockout blows. Mayweather justified his actions after the fight, stating that Cortez was unable to intervene and that his actions were within the rules, ultimately leading to his knockout victory. Consequently, the controversial conclusion sparked debates regarding sportsmanship and whether Mayweather’s actions aligned with the spirit of the sport.
On this day in 2011, Floyd Mayweather infamously knocked out Victor Ortiz after Ortiz headbutted Floyd and then attempted to reconcile by touching gloves. Was Mayweather’s response justified? The incident generated significant criticism, with some blaming Ortiz for the headbutt and others considering Mayweather’s swift knockout to be unsportsmanlike. Regardless of the controversy, Mayweather’s triumph added another win to his unblemished record.
The fight concluded controversially in the fourth round. During this round, Ortiz had Mayweather cornered, but he intentionally headbutted his opponent. In response, Mayweather appeared to accept Ortiz’s apology. However, as Ortiz moved in to embrace Mayweather, the latter swiftly struck him with a left hook followed by a right hand, resulting in Ortiz being knocked out.
The bout garnered considerable attention and sparked extensive discussions within the boxing community, further solidifying Mayweather’s legacy. Fans reacted to the resurfaced video, expressing their views on the matter, with some condemning the headbutt and subsequent knockout as cheap shots. Others defended Mayweather’s actions, citing the importance of self-protection in boxing and emphasizing that Ortiz’s choices ultimately led to the sequence of events.
The incident not only reflects Mayweather’s career as a whole but also sheds light on his ability to exploit legal opportunities and face opponents when they posed less of a threat to his record. While some argue that his actions are justified, it also complicates the claim of him being the greatest of all time, despite his impressive record. Commentators correctly identified Ortiz’s mistake as a rookie error, as he left himself vulnerable after the initial handshake, failing to adhere to the fundamental principle of self-defense at all times.
Fans expressed their disappointment in both Mayweather and Ortiz, labeling both instances as cheap shots and criticizing the sportsmanship displayed. Some viewers believed that Mayweather received his deserved retribution and adhered to the rules, while others believed that Ortiz’s actions set the fight on its contentious path.
According to the Source firstsportz.com