Published: 11:45, 25 Dec 2023
Victor Ortiz learned the hard way the importance of protecting yourself at all times in the boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The pair clashed in 2011, as Mayweather looked to challenge for the WBC welterweight world title.
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Mayweather knocked out Ortiz in a controversial manner
From the opening bell, Mayweather was immediately on top, as was the expectation throughout his career, building up an early lead.
But, in round four, Ortiz caught his opponent with a shot that backed Mayweather up against the ropes, before unleashing a barrage of punches.
With nothing of note getting through, Ortiz then jumped off his feet and headbutted Mayweather in the face.
Ortiz has since claimed this frustration had grown due to the fact that Mayweather had been elbowing him in the previous rounds, but either way this is an illegal move in a boxing ring.
As such, the referee took Ortiz by the hand and walked him around the ring as he indicated to the judges that they should deduct a point from him.
Ortiz clearly felt bad, as he then went to embrace Mayweather to apologise, but before he could lift his hands again, the self-proclaimed ‘TBE’ (The Best Ever) quickly landed a crushing left hook-right hand combination.
This caught Ortiz by surprise and he immediately collapsed down to the canvas.
He bravely attempted to get back to his feet, but he could not beat the referee’s count, as the fight was waved off with one second left in the fourth round.
OTD 2011 – Floyd Mayweather KO 4 Victor Ortiz at MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Wins WBC Welterweight Title. “Protect yourself at all times.” This fight actually might be most memorable for Larry Merchant’s post fight interview with Mayweather. pic.twitter.com/ZNZ10UvDG4
— Ringside Seat (@RingsideSeatMag) September 17, 2022
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Ortiz didn’t see the punch coming from Mayweather and he was unable to continue
After the bout, Mayweather spoke to HBO’s Larry Merchant in the ring, telling the veteran broadcaster: “In the ring, you have to protect yourself at all times.
“After it happened, we touched gloves and we were back to fighting and then I threw the left hook and right hand after the break. You just gotta protect yourself at all times.”
Mayweather then turned on Merchant and said: “I’m going to do you a favour and let you talk to Victor Ortiz, because you’ve never given me a fair shake. You ain’t s***.”
But, Merchant clapped back: “If I was 50 years younger, I would kick your ass,” before he went to interview Ortiz.
Meanwhile, Ortiz had this to say about the fight: “I took a break by the referee and I obeyed exactly what I was told.
“And then, boom, he blindsided me. I’m not a dirty fighter and I apologize for the head-butt.
“I came to entertain the fans and I think they were entertained. There was a miscommunication with the referee, and neither he nor I are perfect.”
Either way, this saw Mayweather maintain his unbeaten record and he would remain unbeaten for the rest of his career, retiring from professional boxing for good in 2017 with a record of 50-0, which included notable wins against Canelo, Manny Pacquiao and a money spinning crossover with Conor McGregor.
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