Floyd Mayweather vs Victor Ortiz: 10 Reasons to Watch This Fight
With Tuesday's announcement of the clash between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz, boxing has had its oven turned on to extremely hot.
What's cooking is an entertaining fight pitting a young and determined Mexican-American world champion in Victor Ortiz against a former pound-for-pound superstar seeking a comeback in Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Here's ten reasons you should pay to see this fight on Saturday night September 17 2011.
10. The Physical Odds Are Against Mayweather
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Ortiz stands five foot nine. Mayweather is five foot eight.
On fight night, Ortiz will be 24 years old. Mayweather will be 34.
Mayweather has never been recorded weighing in over 150-151 lbs on any given fight night.
Ortiz has weighed well over 150 lbs in many of his fights, including his previous fight this past April against former undefeated world champion Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KO's) where he weighed over 160 lbs.
Mayweather has been criticized for taking on either smaller opposition (Juan Manuel Marquez) or older opposition (Sugar Shane Mosley), but Ortiz is neither.
Can Mayweather handle him?
9. Mayweather Could Be Rusty...and Old
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Mayweather hasn't fought since May 1 2010.
His next fight will be September 17 2011 against a younger, stronger foe.
That could spell disaster for the 34-year-old if he hasn't kept himself up well.
Mayweather is a known gymrat who trains day and night in preparation for the unknown.
But like Sugar Ray Leonard who lost to Terry Norris (his first loss in over ten years) at age 34, Mayweather can age right before our eyes.
Leonard was coming off a layoff of over fourteen months, similar to Mayweather's sixteen month layoff.
We'll just have to see if age rears its ugly balding head for Mayweather as it did for Leonard.
8. Ortiz Is a Southpaw
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Legend has it that Mayweather is afraid or at least highly trepidatious about facing southpaws (left-handed) fighters.
Southpaws are harder for the more traditional right-handed Mayweather to figure out and defend against accordingly in the ring.
As the Mayweathers always say, "Taking punishment ain't cool man."
That's exactly what a southpaw has the chance to give to Mayweather, lots and lots of punishment on behalf of all the southpaws who wish they could get in the ring with boxing's biggest money-printing machine in leather gloves.
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7. Mayweather Could Be Preparing for Manny Pacquiao
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Some analysts have predicted that Mayweather facing Ortiz (a young, fast southpaw) is just preparation for current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao who is also very fast and an aggressive southpaw.
Mayweather fighting Ortiz could give a general idea as to how he would fair against Pacquiao. If his performance underwhelms, don't bet on him when he faces Pacquiao.
If Mayweather does well, maybe Mayweather will be a safe bet at the gambling table.
6. Ortiz Could Be a Star
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Victor Ortiz has been touted as a strong, smart prospect who lost his way and then found it in the ring against Andre Berto this past April.
After the amazing firecracker of a win, he may have lit a legendary path to greatness.
Ortiz has found himself in the good company of Floyd Mayweather. If he impresses with an upset victory, that will be his second undefeated fighter beaten this year.
He will surely pick up every "Fighter of the Year" award (unless Haye beats both the Klitschko Brothers this year).
It's an interesting experience to do research on the stars who rose to prominence before your time.
It's a much greater experience to be able to recall the rise of a star because you saw it with your own eyes as it occurred in history.
5. Mayweather's Speed and Ability Is Boxing Ballet at It's Best
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Mayweather has mesmerized audiences for over a decade delivering speed, agility, and boxing ability that leaves opponents swatting air, dust, and maybe a cold calculated shoulder if they're lucky.
The performances resemble choreographed ballet, except only one man knows he's putting on a show. The other man becomes an unwitting partner in his own embarrassment.
As he nears the end of his career, expect these final moments to be beautiful, precise, and brilliant.
4. Ortiz Has the Power to End the Show at Any Moment
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Ortiz has knocked out 22 opponents in his 29 wins.
He almost knocked out Berto, when he put him down twice.
Mayweather was wobbled and about to drop to the canvas against Mosley in the second round, but Mayweather defended well, recovered, and later dominated.
Pacquiao has made it a point to say that if he had Mayweather hurt, he'd finish him.
Ortiz is much younger and faster than Mosley and possibly as strong if not stronger.
Mayweather better watch his chin or it could be a short night.
3. Mayweather + HBO 24/7= Excellent Hype Machine
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Mayweather starred in the first 24/7 documentary to hype his fight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. That fight went on to be the biggest selling pay-per-view fight of all time, clocking in over 2.4 million sold.
Since then, he has starred in three more 24/7 documentaries and made the program his signature show.
Others have come since to use the tool to generate interests in their fights such as Roy Jones and Pacquiao, but neither replicated the initial success Mayweather achieved with the program.
Maybe Mayweather's "Money" persona makes for better television with his profanity and insult laden remarks and at times brutally honest commentary on the events surrounding his controversial lifestyle.
Whatever the reason, Mayweather makes great TV and great TV makes people buy fights.
I promise if you watch Mayweather-Oritz 24/7, you'll be greatly tempted to buy this fight on September 17.
2. Ortiz Is Oscar De La Hoya's Last Chance for Revenge
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De La Hoya wanted a rematch when Mayweather beat him.
Mayweather wanted a short-lived retirement instead, what can you do?
Raise a young lion to bite his head off.
De La Hoya has been searching for the next great Mexican-American fighter for a while.
The popular Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is much too young and inexperienced.
By the time Canelo gets his experience, Mayweather will likely be hitting the rocking chair instead of the speed bag.
Ortiz came, but fell to Maidana. Now he's bounced back stronger, wiser, and better than ever.
If De La Hoya has any hope of a Mexican fighter beating Mayweather before he calls it quits permanently, it's Ortiz.
Expect De La Hoya to give Ortiz all the advice and resources he never had and then some in a last ditch effort to snatch Mayweather's precious "0".
1. Classic Boxer vs Brawler
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Sure Ortiz is no Hagler and Mayweather is arguably no Leonard, but you have to admit that this is a great Boxer/Brawler match-up.
We love these matches for the type of unexpected fireworks we dream of, but never expect.
This time around, you can expect it.
Ortiz is a ticking time-bomb that can explode at any moment.
Mayweather is a patient performer, ready to dance his way to victory.
It's a thriller worth paying for.
You won't want to miss it, Mayweather-Ortiz on September 17.
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