Mayweather vs. Ortiz Results: Why a Mayweather Loss Would Doom Boxing's Future

While Floyd Mayweather's bout against WBC World Welterweight Champion Victor Ortiz tonight is big in terms of current boxing matches, it would have been dwarfed in past decades. The fact of the matter is that between the emergence of MMA and the lack of any true super fights, the popularity of boxing has waned greatly.

Whether it is meant to happen or not, there is only one fight that can truly put boxing back on the map and make it prominent in the landscape of sports once again.

That bout is Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.

There is a lot of pessimism regarding the fight, but I think that both Mayweather and Pacquiao realize how lucrative the match would be for boxing and themselves.

If talks are to resume, each fighter must pass a critical test first.

Pacquiao's will come in November against Juan Manuel Marquez, whom Pacquiao has fought to a draw and controversially defeated by decision in two previous bouts. Despite that, Pacquiao is at his best currently and should be able to handle the aging Marquez.

Mayweather's test, of course, comes tonight against the young, rising star Ortiz. While Mayweather is favored, Ortiz poses a very dangerous threat. His victory over Andre Berto was very impressive and his punching power is certainly more devastating than Mayweather's. If Ortiz beats Mayweather, then it will allow him to reach a new level of stardom, but it will be awful for boxing.

An Ortiz/Pacquiao matchup just wouldn't have the same drawing power as a Mayweather/Pacquiao bout is sure to have. At the same time, if Mayweather loses, then his drawing power will decrease greatly. The fact that Mayweather is American and undefeated make him the perfect opponent for Pacquiao who is an international star.

Ortiz is American as well as he was born in Kansas, but he possesses little-to-no name recognition among the American public. He has also lost two fights and drawn two others, so he may not be looked upon as a legitimate threat to Pacquiao.

With all that said, I think that Ortiz, while a promising fighter, is being overhyped by boxing observers. Many boxing fans are disenchanted with Mayweather's waffling and perceived greediness. He is also looked at as the one who is holding up a possible Mayweather/Pacquiao fight.

Because of this, there is a perception that Mayweather is aging and not the fighter he once was. There is simply no evidence to back up such a claim, though, because Mayweather has continually beaten quality opponents the older he has gotten.

He hasn't fought since beating Shane Mosley 16 months ago, but he returned from a 21-month absence to beat Marquez in 2009. Every indication is that Mayweather still has his trademark speed and defensive acumen. As long as that is true, he should have no problem taking Ortiz the distance and beating him on the cards.

With a powerful puncher like Ortiz, though, the possibility always remains that he could end the fight with one punch. If that does happen, that one punch could very well be the knockout blow to boxing as we know it.