Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ortiz: Why a Mayweather Loss Will Destroy Boxing

In a dying sport, boxing needs Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd “Money” Mayweather. An average fan of boxing doesn’t care if Victor Ortiz faces Pacquiao. We want Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.

I can say this because I am just an average fan of the sport. The sport hasn’t caught my eye in a long time, but if Mayweather and Pacquiao do meet up in the future, I may actually get the fight on pay-per-view.

However, if Ortiz defeats Mayweather on Saturday night, will boxing be better or worse?

Worse.

I want to see the two best fighters of my generation go head-to-head. I don’t want to see Ortiz—who could become the best fighter of my generation, but isn’t now—face Pacquiao in the future.

If Mayweather does lose, I don’t want to see him vs. Pacquiao either because I already know who the best fighter is—Pacquiao.

It may be just me, but I don’t want to see Ortiz against Pacquiao in the future. Maybe the boxing folks want to see that match, but as of right now, I do not want to see it if Mayweather isn’t involved.

We have been waiting too long to see the two go head-to-head. Will it ever happen? Maybe not, but I want that option to still be available down the line.

As for tonight: I got Mayweather in a unanimous decision. I don’t see him knocking Ortiz out, but I do see him wearing his opponent down for the victory.

In fact, if either of them is going to knock out the other I would go with Ortiz. He has the power in his punches to do just that, and Mayweather hasn’t been in the ring for a long time. Maybe he could catch him with a hook and put Mayweather out of his misery.

I don’t see it happening though.