Floyd Mayweather: Controversial Win over Ortiz Doesn't Add to Sparkling Resume

Floyd Mayweather and his illustrious 42 undefeated fights did not need to throw the controversial knockout punch to beat Victor Ortiz.  Already regarded as one of the sport's pound-for-pound best fighters, all Mayweather did Saturday night was draw controversy toward himself. 

The first four rounds were already controlled by Mayweather for the most part and the way he decided to end it just leaves a dirty taste in the viewer's mouths.  It can be argued that in the law of the ring a fighter must keep his hands up at all times and that was Ortiz's blunder and Mayweather's boxing instincts and quick hands that won the fight. 

I don't see anything exemplary in the way Mayweather won the fight.  I don't think it was instinctive—I think he saw an easy way out to win the fight.  I think Mayweather let his emotions take charge as they often do outside the ring, and yes, I think it was dirty. 

Yes, Ortiz threw an equally dirty headbutt just seconds beforehand, but out of the dirty moves I am quicker to forgive Ortiz.  Ortiz was in the middle of throwing and landing a barrage of punches.  It was the best spurt he had of the fight to that point, and in the heat of the moment he threw a headbutt. 

The difference was Ortiz was immediately remorseful.  Mayweather didn't have to accept the apology afterwards—of course no one takes being headbutted lightly.  It was an illegal move in the ring that happens from time to time.

With Mayweather, he needed to be the bigger man and get over it.  He was winning the bout in very Mayweather-esque fashion and I have no doubt he could have, and most likely would have, won the fight in a clean manner.

What doesn't sit well with me is that the fight was stopped after Ortiz's headbutt and Mayweather was given his chance to compose himself after the illegal move.  Mayweather's pair of knockout blows were legal since the referee had restarted the fight, but even if you are the biggest Mayweather supporter you have to admit Mayweather's punches don't leave you feeling right after the fight.

Ortiz was giving one last check in on Mayweather with a mid-ring embrace that Mayweather didn't want any part of, but in an instant Mayweather chose to strike an unguarded opponent.  Not a floundering, incoherent opponent from mid-round punches, but an unaware opponent stepping back from an apologetic hug.

All the fights Mayweather has endured and won speak for themselves.  This one is a blemish, in my opinion.  It was a fight in which he could have proven his boxing prowess after 16 months away from the ring.  Instead, it's a knockout that leaves you shaking your head. 

Floyd Mayweather's skill is not at question.  His decision to knockout a still remorseful, unguarded opponent is. 

When reviewing Mayweather's career when its at its end, I will be quick to remember the closest thing you'll see to a sucker punch in the sport of boxing.  It wasn't needed and both Mayweather and Ortiz will have to live with their decisions; unfortunately, Ortiz's decision for one last apology cost him the fight.