By Danny Serratelli: Many times when Floyd Mayweather is in the gym he sounds like he is doing an X-rated Muhammad Ali impersonation. Ali was “The Greatest” both in the ring and while Floyd hasn’t yet had to show that he possesses the resiliency and ability to triumph over adversity that Ali did; however, he has mastered the art of psychological warfare that Ali seemed to invent.
While people have varying opinions about the result of Mayweather’s fight against Victor Ortiz, the truth is Floyd broke Ortiz down mentally and he knocked him out. Ortiz looked competitive, but uncomfortable early. He had tried to butt Mayweather several times, but when he got caught attempting a flagrant butt he kissed Floyd, hugged him, apologized and seemed to think the apologies were going to continue for a while. It was apparent Floyd put a lot more on those punches he threw at Ortiz who wasn’t in any position to fire back, but he seized his opportunity for a knockout. It remains to be seen what referee Joe Cortez was doing.
Victor Ortiz matched up with Floyd Mayweather very favorably on paper. Victor was bigger, much younger, probably stronger, and appeared early on to be close in speed. If the two fighters shared the same brain it was a pick-em fight and maybe Ortiz would even be the favorite. However, this is the beauty of boxing, its one on one and there are so many factors that come into play both during and before the bout. No one can bail you out or pick up the slack for you. Floyd Mayweather owned him and beat him before they entered the ring.
During the shows Face off and 24/7 viewers were given a look into the minds of both combatants. In Floyd people witnessed a man always reinforcing his confidence in his own abilities while it appeared Ortiz was trying too hard. Despite an impressive victory over Andre Berto, most people have been unable to erase Ortiz’s meltdown in his fight against warrior Marcos Maidana. In this viewers opinion the body language of Ortiz before and during the fight was an indication of things to come. He tried to wear a mask but in reality he didn’t seem to keep his cool. When Floyd put his hand around his neck at the weigh in and Ortiz smiled his fate may have been sealed.
Why won’t Floyd fight Pacquiao?