Mayweather vs. Ortiz: More Intriguing Than Pacquiao vs. Marquez

The two biggest boxing matches of the year fall within two months of each other: Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz and Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather (41-0, 25 KO) and Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO) will fight this weekend on Sept. 17, while Pacquiao and Marquez will fight on Nov. 12 for the third time.

Although and Mayweather and Pacquiao are not fighting each other, the battle over which man deserves the No. 1 spot rages on.

Mayweather hasn't fought since beating Shane Mosley in 2010, and Pacquiao's last victory was over Mosley earlier this year.

Both are going into their upcoming bouts as the favorites, but the challenges that each will face are still worth watching and discussing.

These are five reasons  why the Mayweather vs. Ortiz bout is more intriguing than Pacquiao vs. Marquez.

No. 5: Neither Fighter Is Moving Up in Weight

Mayweather dominated Marquez in their 2009 bout, which was the last time that Marquez moved up in weight. The increase in weight was clearly visible throughout the fight. Marquez had gained nearly 10 pounds; in his previous bout, he fought at 134 pounds as the WBO lightweight champion.

Pacquiao and Marquez agreed that for their third bout, they would fight at a catch weight of 144 pounds. Their last two bouts were fought at 130 and 125 pounds, which is the best weight class for Marquez.

Pacquiao takes what Marquez doesn't into the welterweight division. Pacquiao has carried his speed and power quite well as he has moved up in weight. This will be a significant factor in the outcome of their fight. Pacquiao has fought above 140 pounds in his last four fights and has beaten Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey.

Ortiz is fighting at a heavier weight than usual, but he is the WBC welterweight champion and he is arguably a better fighter in that division than light welterweight. It definitely appeared that way in his fight with Andre Berto, who he beat by unanimous decision to win the title.

No. 4: Mayweather Has the Most to Lose

The lopsided odds for both fights indicate that both Mayweather and Pacquiao will win easily.

If boxing fans are looking for the most competitive fight, an argument could be made for either. However, there is no argument over which fighter has the most to lose, and it's Mayweather.

Logic tells us that Pacquiao vs. Marquez will be more competitive. Their last two fights ended in controversial decisions. Their third one won't be fought under the same conditions as the first two; Marquez is moving up in weight and is now seven years older than when he first fought the Filipino superstar. Still, there's a possibility that Marquez could somehow upset the leading pound-for-pound boxer.

If Mayweather is the greatest boxer in the sport today, he must prove it in his fight with Ortiz. If Ortiz can find a way to defeat his undefeated opponent, it could be the biggest upset of the year.

Mayweather also needs to win this fight to keep his position as one of the leading PPV draws. Pacquiao doesn't have the same pressures.

No. 3: Mayweather Is Undefeated, but for How Long?

Everybody is waiting for Mayweather to taste defeat for the first time. In fact, it's the drawing power behind most of his fights. In comparison, Pacquiao has lost three times, twice by knockout.

Mayweather's combination of skill and determination is unmatched, but it is sometimes overshadowed by his trash-talking and brash, flashy and cocky personality.

There are two main reasons why Ortiz will challenge Mayweather. First of all, Ortiz is 10 years younger than his opponent. Secondly, Mayweather hasn't faced anyone as young and strong as Ortiz in a long time. Ortiz is also 14 years younger than Marquez, and he is bringing a ton of confidence and momentum into this bout.

At 41-0, Mayweather is in an elite class of undefeated boxers with Rocky Marciano, Joe Calzaghe and Ricardo Lopez. He has faced the majority of the best fighters of his generation and looked nearly flawless in each fight throughout his 15-year career.

Mayweather's defining moment could come when he loses for the first time, and it could also be his last moment in the ring. It is something nobody wants to miss if it happens on Saturday.

No. 2: There Is More Hype Behind Mayweather vs. Ortiz

The first three episodes of 24/7 showed why the Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight is the most-anticipated boxing match of 2011. The face-to-face trash talk between the two is something that is rarely seen at this level in the sport. The only question is: Can the fight live up to the hype?

The hype behind Pacquiao vs. Marquez is defined by the boxers' history together. Their first fight ended in a draw while their second ended with Pacquiao winning a split-decision. Marquez was knocked down four times within the 24 rounds, which was the determining factor in both fights not going his way.

When Pacquiao and Marquez stare down, don't expect to see any Mayweather-Ortiz-style trash talk. They have no reason to try to get into each other's head this time around.

No. 1: It's Something We Haven't Seen Before

Boxing fans always look for something new, and Mayweather vs. Ortiz certainly fits the bill. Even Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is getting old, and it hasn't happened yet.

Going into 2011, a possible bout between Mayweather and Ortiz wasn't even considered a possibility by most boxing experts. Many anticipated Mayweather's comeback fight would be against Andre Berto.

This third match between Pacquiao and Marquez has been discussed since their second meeting in 2008. It was set up after Pacquiao defeated Shane Mosley in May and Marquez knocked out Likar Ramos in July. Everybody saw this fight coming, and they were right.

On the other hand, the Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight is rather unexpected. These fresh, out-of-nowhere matchups are often exciting because they give us something new to think about and focus on.