Mayweather vs. Ortiz: 7 Ways/Reasons Ortiz Can Challenge Mayweather

Boxing fans have been waiting for the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25 KO) ever since he defeated Shane Mosley in May, 2010.

That return will come on September 17th, when he takes on WBC Welterweight Champion "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO). Ortiz currently holds the title that Mayweather won from Ricky Hatton in 2007, vacating the title when he announced his retirement from the sport soon after that victory.

"Money May" returned to boxing in 2009 when he faced Juan Manuel Marquez, and it's been a one-fight-a-year type of career since.

Spanning five years and only five opponents, Mayweather has fought Mosley, Marquez, Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Carlos Baldomir.

Ortiz has battled fighters like Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana, Lamont Peterson and Vivian Harris.

These are seven reasons why Ortiz can challenge Mayweather.

No. 7: Underdog Determination

"After I lost to Maidana and everyone was questioning my heart I was pissed," Ortiz said in an interview with ESPN .

"I fought with a broken wrist against a good fighter and when I challenged him to a rematch and he refused I was still the one with no courage? I was the one with no balls? Well now I’m the one with the belt and I’m not giving it up to anybody."

Even after his upset victory over Andre Berto, fans didn't give Ortiz much credit for taking the big step up in signing to face Mayweather.

The 2009 loss to Maidana may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him, and it will continually drive him to never have that type of moment again. A loss is a loss no matter how it occurs, and he knows how it feels to lose a fight. Mayweather doesn't.

That fearless type of attitude makes him a very dangerous opponent for anyone, especially against the best.

No. 6: Being a Southpaw

Mayweather has always had more problems against southpaws than orthodox fighters, and while Nonito Donaire believes Floyd will use that as a gauge to a future bout with another southpaw in Manny Pacquiao, Ortiz is bigger and just as dangerous from the left-handed stance as the Filipino superstar.

The most standout southpaw performances versus Mayweathe came from Zab Judah and DeMarcus Corley. They are both faster than Ortiz, but they still did managed to hurt Mayweather in their bouts by catching him off guard.

It will be tough to do, but a punch Mayweather doesn't see will hurt him. Ortiz will need to be at his best when it comes to using his southpaw stance come September 17.

No. 5: If Floyd Isn't There Mentally

"Someone has to give him the opportunity to take the thrown," said Mayweather at a pre-fight press conference. "Why not let it be me?

Is Floyd giving fans a hint or a reason to tune into the fight?

It won't be something Ortiz can control, but if Mayweather comes into the fight unprepared mentally, he will have a much harder fight than expected against a very mentally tough fighter in Ortiz, even if his loss towards Maidana didn't show it.

Floyd has never had the type of in-the-ring breakdown moment that Ortiz has, but for a fighter that relies on his boxing IQ, an off night can equal a bad night. That's one thing he doesn't want against a fighter like Ortiz.

With Mayweather not having too many problems dealing with his chaotic life outside the ring, this probably won't come into play as much as the things Ortiz can do himself.

No. 4: Ortiz's Youth and Size

Mayweather will likely be relying on his boxing IQ this time around, and that's something Ortiz will have to get through using the athleticism and physical tools of a fighter who is 10 years younger.

Being the bigger man isn't always the best, but Ortiz knows how to use it to his advantage and that can work well for him in this fight.

At 24, Ortiz's physical tools will be at a peak many older fighters won't be able to achieve. The youngest fighters Floyd has faced since his 2005 bout versus Artuto Gatti were Zab Judah and Hatton, who were both 29 at the time they challenged "Money May."

Fights against Mosley (38), De La Hoya (34), Baldomir (35) and Marquez (36) make up most of Mayweather's "recent" challenges, and they can't compare to Ortiz's advantage in being the younger and hungrier fighter.

No. 3: Ortiz's Power

It's no secret Ortiz has power. He has knocked down every opponent he has ever faced and has knocked out 22 of them.

Even in the fights that he went the distance in or lost, he was able to knock down most of his opponents two or more times.

Mayweather, who is defensive genius, will be susceptible to knockdowns if Ortiz connects. It's not as if Mayweather has one of the best chins in boxing, as it has really never been tested other than in his fight with Mosley where he almost got dropped.

When it does get tested again, it might not be a good idea to do it against a boxer with Ortiz's power.

No. 2: Get the Judges on His Side Early on with a Knockdown

No fighter likes to leave it in the hands of the judges, but sometimes there's no way around it. This might be one of those fights.

Ortiz comes into the fight as a heavy underdog, and this translates to how the judges will perceive his chances of victory going into the fight. That might all change if he gets a knockdown early.

A fighter can sway many close rounds in their favor following a round where they had scored the knockdown. This will be easier early in the fight than late, and it will also be better for his confidence.

Ortiz's fight with Berto might not have gone like it did had he not scored the first round knockdown. Ortiz's confidence was at an all-time high going into the fight, and we could see it grow throughout because of it.

It's tough enough fighting Mayweather, but it's even tougher to fight against the judges if you're afraid the fight isn't going your way. A knockdown works in more ways than one.

No. 1: Brawl

There are not a lot of ways to break Mayweather's defense, and it's going to be the toughest thing that Ortiz tries to do if he chooses not to brawl and just box.

Mayweather's counter-punching ability is much better at a pace he can control, and Ortiz won't be at a higher risk if he can keep his pressure on Mayweather throughout the fight, especially in the late rounds.

The 34-year-old will want to rely on his rhythm to win the fight, and this can be interrupted if Ortiz decides to increase the tempo, which he is fully capable of doing.

It's very possible that Mayweather will go into this fight waiting to see what Ortiz comes at him with and attack from there. This gives Ortiz the chance to control the fight, and that's something he will need to do from the first bell to the last.