The Side Line

Boxing has been in a tough spot for some time.

Fans have not been attached since UFC. Floyd Mayweather (41-0), the self-proclaimed face of boxing, proved, against Victor Oritz on the HBO pay-per-view fight on Sept. 17, that he is certainly not. If you missed the bout, both boxers fought dirty and should be ashamed, but here’s a quick summary of the events leading up to Mayweather’s classless decision.

Mayweather won the first three rounds hands-down. In the fourth round, Mayweather came out of his corner with a more defensive approach, letting Ortiz tire himself out. The fighters were exchanging gloves when Ortiz head-butted Mayweather. Referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight and rightfully assessed a point from Ortiz. The following 30 seconds were the most bizarre moments I have ever seen in a fight. Ortiz in an apologetic insult kissed Mayweather. Ortiz went to his opponent smiling and apologizing. Cortez brought the two together, they touched gloves and each stepped back. Then, with Cortez not even looking at the fighters and Ortiz facing the judge like he was waiting for a signal, Mayweather stepped forward and landed a left hand, instantly followed by a devastating right, knocking out Ortiz and ending the fight. Replays show that Ortiz wasn’t even facing Mayweather when he received both blows. Cortez stated that time was in and Mayweather wasn’t in the wrong.

“You have to protect yourself at all times,” Mayweather told ESPN post fight.

Mayweather had control of the fight and pulled a shameful trick in front of millions. American boxing does not need the type of character from Mayweather. ESPN’s May 21, 2009 interview between Brian Kenny and Mayweather proves this as well. Mayweather comes on camera with an obvious attitude and calls Brian Kenny the master of nothing, and within the first minute Mayweather brings up his favorite thing in the world in an off-topic answer: money. He boasts of his pay-per-view fights’ revenue compared to other top fighters, and refers to himself repeatedly as boxing’s cash cow.

Things probably won’t change. We probably will never see a rematch; Mayweather will wallow in his $40 million from the fight, and keep focusing only on himself.

I know it’s a business of pain and he brings millions to their televisions, but think about a role model aspect and not how many cars you can buy. Floyd “Money” Mayweather knocked out a guy with his hands at his side, declaring, to me, that he’s nothing more than a dirty boxer who just wants wins and money by any means.

America needs what Manny Pacquiao is to the Philippines: a nationwide leader; not one like Mayweather who earned domestic violence charges on his ex-girlfriend last year, after already getting initial charges on grand larceny against her. Hopefully 2012 will give us the anticipated fight of Pacquiao v. Mayweather where the true best boxer of this generation will appear.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Sep 29 2011. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.