Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Why Cheap Shot Is a Sign He's Not Ready for Pacquiao

One could argue that Floyd Mayweather took the easy way out in his fight versus Victor Ortiz.

Others could argue that Mayweather was just taking advantage of the opportunity placed in front of him.

Either way, the combination of punches that sent Ortiz to the mat in the fourth round will forever be considered a cheap shot by the majority of viewers and fans.

He could make it all disappear, but he'll have to do the unthinkable for that to happen.

Fighting Manny Pacquiao is the only thing left in Mayweather's historic career. Whether he believes that or not is a matter of debate, but he will forever be judged on whether or not he steps into the ring with the Filipino fighter.

It certainly isn't fair, but neither is robbing the fans of the one fight that could save a dying sport. 

But unfortunately this latest event signals more than just reluctance on Mayweather's part, it shows fear.

Mayweather was certainly winning the fight before he stunned Ortiz, but wasn't unharmed and he had already lost at least one round. Ortiz, who is ten years younger than Mayweather, had the speed and strength to hurt "Pretty Boy", or as he's known now "Money", should he catch him once or twice.

The unbeaten Mayweather knew this, saw this and felt this during the fight.

Imagine the type of feelings Pacquiao could inflict in Mayweather? The world's undisputed pound-for-pound champion has the speed and strength to tussle with anybody. He also doesn't feel punishment the way others do, and even if he takes a beating he still dishes it out that much harder.

Many looked at this fight as a possible warm up for Pacquiao. Both Ortiz and Pac-Man are southpaw fighters with speed and power. If that was the case, I think we would have seen Mayweather go a little bit longer in this fight, at least to get a feel for what that is like.

Instead, he took the first opportunity out and danced away victorious with another "W" and a boatload of money.

The more I think about it, the more it makes me realize that Mayweather isn't even thinking about Pacquiao, only himself. 

This fight wasn't a warm up. It wasn't a sign of things to come. It was just another chance for Mayweather to get people talking, earn a paycheck—which he needed—and for him to "add to his legacy."

He doesn't care about anything else but himself; this still hasn't changed.

The cheap shot not only shows Mayweather to not be ready for a fight with Pacquiao; it shows his reluctance to challenge himself at all.