Mayweather vs. Ortiz: Don't Boycott the Pay-Per-View Due to 5 Misconceptions

As Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns from his 16-month layoff on September 17 against Victor Ortiz; not just Manny Pacquiao fans, even objective boxing fans and writers come out in droves saying all sorts of ridiculous things.

One is to boycott Mayweather vs. Ortiz, and I can't for the life of me understand the rationale behind that statement.

Clearly what has motivated that school of thought are misconceptions. I'll myth bust those misconceptions.

Here are the reasons why Pacquiao fans, and fans of boxing should not boycott the fight.   

The Hypocrisy in Accusing Floyd Mayweather Jr. of Cherry Picking

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is once again cherry picking an opponent to inflate his flawless record.

Wait a minute, wasn't Mayweather accused of picking experienced, over-the-hill fighters because of their names; namely Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, Zab Judah and Arturo Gatti.

So when Mayweather fights a young, up-and-coming fighter in Victor Ortiz; fresh off a shock win against heavily-favoured, highly-rated and previously unbeaten Andre Berto—what's the problem?

Give Mayweather a break, this is a legitimate fight and the question should be why didn't he pick an easier opponent fresh off a 16-month layoff?   

Victor Ortiz Lacks Heart

Anyone who suggests this clearly didn't watch Victor Ortiz rally against Andre Berto.

This misconception of Ortiz having no heart is fostered from him quitting against Marcos Maidana, and then compounding that decision by his candid post-fight interview where he said he didn't deserve to be beat up. 

No one seems to mention Ortiz soldering on with a broken wrist.  

Rather then end up like Meldrick Taylor, Ortiz made a pragmatic decision to save his career as Maidana was set to beat the living day lights out of him. 

As Mike Tyson said in a Times interview, "This is not a tough guy's world, this is a smart man's world."

Where Ortiz has gotten himself since the Maidana fight vindicates his decision to quit.  

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is Only Fighting Victor Ortiz to Avoid Manny Pacquiao

Victor Ortiz is a southpaw, a volume puncher, very aggressive and entertaining which contributes to a suspect defence.

Gee this reminds me of a certain Filipino octuple champion.

Clearly Floyd Mayweather Jr. is reading himself against Manny Pacquiao next year by fighting Ortiz.   

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Beat Victor Ortiz When He Beat Ricky Hatton

It seems this misconception was bred out of Jeff Mayweather's mouth and has since become a somewhat valid view in why Floyd Mayweather Jr. will beat Victor Ortiz.

Ortiz is a southpaw, Ricky Hatton isn't. 

Ortiz is bigger, stronger and more athletic than Hatton.

Ortiz is a heavier puncher than Hatton.  

Ortiz has a chin, Hatton doesn't.

When the going got tough, Hatton was memorably knocked out twice against Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. 

Whereas Ortiz gave as good an effort as he had against Marcos Maidana before quitting. 

Ortiz's litmus test was against Andre Berto and he extinguished any doubts that he lacked heart.        

Boycott the Fight! It Will Be Boring

Not since Diego Corrales has Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought someone like Victor Ortiz who is bigger, stronger, in form and with a legitimate chance of knocking him out.

Problem with Corrales was not him being weight drained as some boxing fans have suggested. More so with finding out that bashing his pregnant wife wasn't the best of ideas; and that turmoil entered into the ring against Mayweather who took Corrales to school. 

Judging from the 24/7 episodes and his win against Andre Berto, it seems Ortiz is in the right frame of mind to cause a monumental upset.  

It's one thing to take a punch from an aging and deteriorating Shane Mosley, but if Mayweather gets hit flush on the chin by Ortiz—it will be lights out. 

Also surely Ortiz's gameplan will be to rush Mayweather from the start and pressure him at such a high intensity that he may get lucky with one stray punch. 

I, for one, won't miss out on the opportunity of Mayweather getting knocked out or him putting on a boxing masterclass en route to a unanimous decision over Ortiz. 

Plus what about the undercard?

We get to see the rise of Saúl Álvarez or perhaps the fall of a rising star—for the record, Alfonso Gomez will just pick up a paycheck and what's left of his shattered body.

Erik Morales vs. Lucas Matthysse is the fight I'm excited about. It's a potential "fight of the year" bout. Much much better than the proposed Morales vs. Anthony Crolla.