Sports Eye
Ill-mannered Mayweather
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WE the boxing aficionados saw the fight, a controversial fourth round knockout victory by Floyd Mayweather Jr. over reigning WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. The one-two combination that Mayweather perfectly released and landed after the break drew an uproar from the boxing world. A number of sports connoisseurs say the two lethal punches that floored Ortiz for good were legal.
Referee Joe Cortez, protecting his swift judgment of the fight and most of all his reputation as world boxing referee, vehemently defended his call. Others say Mayweather made an eerie, unfair and unsportsmanlike comportment that put the battle in a bizarre ending. Our very own WBO welterweight king Manny Paquiao, in an interview over DZBB radio, was quick to say that those two punches by Mayweather were illegal and unsportsmanlike. In short, a world title battle in boxing was stained again.
The first world title clash that turned very ugly was the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield heavyweight bout which ended in an ‘ear-biting’ incident committed by Tyson.
Well, everyone is entitled to his own opinion but I will echo what many observers say that what Mayweather did was not ‘fair and square.’ And yes it was Ortiz who actually started the dirty trick when he deliberately head-butted Mayweather’s chin, bloodying the latter’s outer lip. Ref Cortez was quick to step in and signalled the three judges to penalize Ortiz by one point. Ortiz paid for his transgression and I doff my hat to Cortez for making the right move. Ortiz, whom I believe was remorseful of what he did, embraced and kissed Mayweather on the cheek, in an apparent offer of apology. Seconds later, the belt was back to Mayweather to the delight of his fans as well as boos and jeers from the Ortiz’s supporters.
During the victor’s interview with world famous boxing analyst and television broadcaster Larry Merchant, the haughty and flamboyant Mayweather seemed peeved and became so impolite in answering the questions from Merchant about his being unfair during the clash by taking advantage of that period when the guards of Ortiz were down. Some expletive words were uttered and the 80-year old Merchant was a humiliated, producing some jeers from the crowd in the direction of Mayweather.
I believe that even if the encounter reached the full 12 rounds, Ortiz had no chance at all to win except maybe for a ‘lucky punch’ from him. After three rounds, I scored them all for Mayweather and surmised that if the battle took the full route, it will be a lopsided unanimous decision for the guy from Michigan.
What happened to Ortiz should serve as a warning to Paquiao when he collides with Mayweather, tentatively scheduled in May next year. Paquiao, a very religious person, is known to observe lenience and compassion every time he fights. He should exclude Mayweather in his card or else he might be the next victim. Mayweather is an ill-mannered fighter, his record already speaks for itself. He has already accused Paquiao of taking enhancing drug or artificial stimulant during his fights without any evidence, which prompted Paquiao to sue the guy. Mayweather is also facing another crime, a battery assault lodged by his wife.
“You should always put your guard up at all times,” said ref Cortez after the fight. And hopefully after what we saw last September 18, I believe Paquiao will seriously take that advice to retain his reputation, his crown and to add the WBC belt on his waist.
You can’t be a professional athlete if you’re inexperienced. The compassion that Ortiz displayed was laudable in the eyes of many but a monumental error in professional boxing. Na-gulangan sya, ‘ika nga. Dapat magulang ka palagi at huwag kang paggugulangan kahit sino ang iyong makakalaban.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” — John 3:36
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
