Mayweather vs. Ortiz: Pretty Boy Floyd Won't Be Running His Mouth Much Longer

Forget your predictions for the Floyd Mayweather Jr./Victor Ortiz fight.

If we're being really honest, I am predicting Mayweather to win. I guess everything must come to an end, but 41-0 speaks for itself.

Mayweather only talks a lot because people listen. He doesn't seem to mind being the bad guy, and if he does, he doesn't show it.

But win, lose, or draw, Mayweather's days of talking are coming to an end.

Scenario 1: Mayweather defeats Ortiz

At least going on the betting line, this seems to be the most likely scenario. People want to see Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao.

Fairly or not, the assumption is that Mayweather is the reason that that fight has yet to happen. So, with that in mind, if he goes out and beats Ortiz, so what?

That's no disrespect to Ortiz, but we've seen Mayweather dominate the boxing world. The more he beats people that aren't Pacquiao, the less people are going to care.

What does that mean?

Well, it means that people are going to tune Mayweather out. He can keep talking, but he won't have an audience.

Now, if Mayweather/Pacquiao ever comes to fruition, then people will care. Mayweather will run his mouth before that fight and people will listen. If that happens, that's fine.

But if Mayweather beats Ortiz and then moves on to other "lesser" fighters (and forces Pacquiao to do the same), people are going to lose interest. The buys won't come in and the high profile fights just won't be there.

Unless he moves on to Pacquiao, the only fight that would generate a lot of interest after the Ortiz fight is another Ortiz fight.

Let's say Mayweather wins, but it's close, or even disputed. Then, there is plenty of reason to be interested in the rematch.

Scenario 2: Ortiz beats Mayweather

If the fight is close enough, then we can see interest in a rematch. But other than that, this would be terrible for Mayweather.

For one, he'd lose his undefeated record. Two, he wouldn't win the Welterweight Championship. Three, interest in him would plummet.

Actually, interest in him would plummet even if the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight were to happen in the near future.

Who would really care? Mayweather is 34 now and a loss to Ortiz would give the perception that he's past his prime.

That may not be a fair assessment, but when it comes to interest, perception is reality. All of a sudden the dream match between Mayweather and Pacquiao would be nothing more than a fight featuring at least one fighter that's way past his prime.

Remember, Mayweather hasn't fought since May of 2010. So, losing in his first trip back would do nothing for him.

Ultimately, boxing fans need the match that they've been clamoring for. Additionally, they need both fighters at the top of their games.

If that doesn't happen, then interest in Mayweather will rapidly decline. When that happens, there will be no need for him to do much talking.

Mayweather has been a great fighter for a long time. I am picking him to beat Ortiz. But if an exciting, intriguing fight can't be delivered to us soon, history will not remember Mayweather fondly.