On Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to the ring and puts his undefeated 41-0 record on the line against Victor Ortiz, a rising name in the welterweight division and the WBC champion. Here’s what you need to get ready for the fight.
Introducing Victor Ortiz
Outside the boxing world, not many knew who Victor Ortiz was before he landed this date with Mayweather. Many inside the boxing world thought you never would. He was an underdog when he stepped in against Andre Berto, a fighter many had pegged as the possible next opponent for Mayweather and/or Manny Pacquiao. Ortiz had lost to Marcos Maidana, and had a draw with Lamont Peterson, but came out furiously against Berto and won what many considered a fight of the year candidate.
By now, many know the back story. Abandoned by his parents, he raised his brother, and fought his way to the top. Where Mayweather lives a life surrounded by celebrities and extravagance, Ortiz’s trainers work regular jobs as delivery truck drivers and landscapers in addition to working with him. They are everymen in every sense of the term.
Re-Introducing Floyd Mayweather
Say what you want about Mayweather’s inactivity, his last two fights have been washouts. He dominated Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley despite the layoffs, so why should this time be any different?
Mayweather seems more determined than ever. Mosley’s two right-hand connections in the second round have many convinced that a younger, stronger fighter like Ortiz has more than a puncher’s chance. Mayweather’s here to show that isn’t the case. Many have taken him off the pound-for-pound lists because of inactivity. Mayweather is looking to reclaim the top spot.
The southpaw factor
Some have theorized that Mayweather chose a southpaw as a lead-in to a potential super fight with Manny Pacquiao. I really think he was simply going to fight whoever won between Berto and Ortiz. That said, folks are going to draw all sorts of conclusions about a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight based on what happens in this fight. If Ortiz gives him problems, Pacquiao fans will have ammunition to say Manny would do the same. If Floyd handles a southpaw, then Mayweather supporters can continue to say he’d have no problems with the Pac-Man.
Action-packed
Ortiz has never been one to shy away from a scrap. Mayweather, although noted for his defense, always responds when hit (see the Mosley fight). This sets up what should be a fight that is pleasing for fans. Ricky Hatton and other fighters have put constant pressure on Mayweather, and he handled that challenge, but experts have always said that the best way to come at Floyd is to pressure him into exchanges. Ortiz is likely to do that.
There’s been a lot of talk from both sides. There have been the stories about Mayweather’s argument with his father in training, to his recent comments about promoter Oscar De La Hoya. All of that along with two exciting fighters (and not to mention a good undercard) sets up one of the biggest fights of the year.
