Lots of things happened over the weekend. Highlights included Wabash winning pretty handily over OWU, 28-7. It wasn't even as close as the score would suggest. Purdue (finally) steamrolled somebody, even if that somebody was SEMO. The Colts did not win, but I'm not expecting much out of them this year. Baseball playoffs inch closer. But, as you might have guessed from the smiling Mayweather over there, today we're going to talk about boxing.* *Well, you know, at least it's going to start off with boxing. If you've paid any attention to this blog, it's tendency to wander like a stray dog is well-established. As you may (or very likely may not have, given boxing's current standing in the media) have heard, Floyd Mayweather Jr. knocked out Victor Ortiz in the 4th round. This is not unsurprising. Mayweather is still undefeated,* which is great for any boxer still doing it at 34. He had a long layoff, but was still the 8-1 favorite over Ortiz, who seemed to have little to offer in this fight than a potential Rocky Balboa punch. *Even ducking Pacquiao, you've got to have some respect for Mayweather's talents. 42-0 (26 KO) is impressive, and remember, Floyd didn't duck anybody in his younger days. No, the question came in how the knockout was delivered. Before we continue, a small disclaimer in the interest of full disclosure. I didn't watch the fight, partly because I wasn't home, and mostly because I'd hate to shell out $50 on a match without a lot of question. I could use that $50 on things a lot more important than to watch Mayweather put another notch on his belt not named Pacquiao. I haven't seen video of the knockout because I couldn't find it quickly on YouTube* and haven't had time to really dig for it yet (you know, also being at my paying job and all). But I've certainly read quite a bit about it, so here is a summary of the fight as I understand it. *At least not one that HBO hasn't already had taken down. For the first three rounds, Mayweather outclassed Ortiz as predicted, and Ortiz did not take it well, getting visibly frustrated, when he finally found his first bit of footing towards the end of the fourth. He landed a flurry of punches and forced Mayweather back to the ropes. That seems universal. From here, Ortiz headbutted Mayweather. Most stories I have read say it was blatant,* but others were wishy-washy. The referee stopped the fight to deduct a point from Ortiz. Things seem to get very fuzzy from here. From what I understand, the fighters touched gloves, and Ortiz proceeded to try to apologize for the headbutt and give Mayweather a hug (and maybe a kiss). Mayweather proceeded to bury his gloves as far into Ortiz's face as the Mexican hero's skull would allow. Ortiz was out. Did I mention the crowd was firmly in Ortiz's corner? Because that seems universal, too. They didn't take these punches well. *Blanka-like according to Grantland's Jay Caspian Kang. Most of the controversy seems to come in the form of Mayweather sucker punched Ortiz. Boxing writers (or sports writers who are pretty knowledgeable about boxing, anyway [here's looking at you, Posnanski]) seem convinced that Mayweather was firmly within the rules. Commenters on these stories are less convinced. There seems to be some debate over whether or not the referee actually restarted the fight. Again, I didn't see it, but I would be shocked if the referee didn't get the fight restarted when they touched gloves, so I guess I'm on Mayweather's side. If you're in a fight, you can't be trying to give out free loving until you've heard the bell and the official is waving his arms. If you can't remember the dude in front of you is trying to severely concuss you, then you deserve what's coming to you. No, it seems to me that the commenters here are a bunch of sour grapes. Mayweather is not the most popular fighter, and there are good reasons for that. He has, umm, let's call is swagger. Others would call it much worse. His attitude grates on many people in and out of boxing. His constant claiming of not getting enough respect also grates on people. I've found myself on both sides of this. He is most assuredly cocky, and Mayweather doesn't quite seem to realize that an undefeated record alone is not enough to make him the GOAT.* On the other hand, you have to be awfully cocky in a sport like boxing, both to help you in the ring and draw attention out of it. And if you've seen Mayweather at work, the dude is a great boxer. No question. It seems to me that the commenters are those that don't like anything about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and just desperately want to see him lose that zero at the end of his record so he will go away. *Greatest of All Time, for the uninitiated. It's just the politics of fandom, and unfortunately, Mayweather's antics have long ago landed him on the outside of the popular circle. If he ever were to lock horns with Pacquiao, the crowd would be so pro-Manny you'd think they fought in his backyard.* It wouldn't the first time. As mentioned before, Ortiz had the crowd in his back pocket. Ricky Hatton had the crowd on his side. Mayweather seems to thrive on this. I don't think that would be an issue. I do think Mayweather would be the underdog, which would be a new role. Or at least one he hasn't held for some time. I do think Mayweather is scared of Pacquiao, which would also be new. All that said, I don't think it's as sealed as many do. Mayweather is one of the best defensive fighters of all time. Pacquiao apparently hits as if his hands were made of iron, but you may remember George Foreman was one bad mother--- (Shut your mouth!) when he fought Muhammad Ali. Ali was also a blindingly fast defensive fighter (especially in that fight) without a ton of pop (though more than Mayweather is generally credited with. . .which is probably also underestimated). I don't know if people see Mayweather as fragile, either, but that would seem to be an unfounded accusation. As far as I'm aware, he's only been knocked down once, and that seems to have more to do with fighting with a broken hand than anything. It would be a great, great fight. If it never happens (which is looking increasingly likely), it will be one of t *And given his god-like status in the Philippines, he probably has a backyard big enough to host the fight, crowd, cameras, and all. Comments are closed.
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