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Floyd Mayweather JR – Will it Be Manny Pacquiao After Victor Ortiz?

By Gina L. Caliboso

So, RSR fans, while our website has been growing successfully at a rate greater than a Tribble, I continue to have these random thoughts that hopefully turn into an article somewhere.

With that in mind, I’d like to extend my previous article on my make-believe welterweight tournament and address the status of the “huh?” versus “what?” status of my favorite bad boy of boxing, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, JR. I’ve never expressed exactly why I dislike the boxer, but as I’ve learned, it’s nothing personal. As I am the Filipino flag waver on RSR always in favor of my favorite fighter, Manny Pacquiao, I am still trying to wrap my head around why “Money” may have accepted the fight against Ortiz. Question after question remains with this Feature Writer. First, why accept the fight against a younger, stronger, and competitive fighter? Second, what will Money have to do in his bout against Ortiz in order to win?

But let’s consider Victor Ortiz, 29-2-2, 22 KO’s. In his last bout, Ortiz proved to be more aggressive against Berto. With his southpaw stance, he fights with heavy hands, and has obvious ability, but he has yet to fully believe in his own potential. As the defending WBC Welterweight titleholder, Ortiz cannot afford to give Mayweather any rounds. Ortiz must start and finish strong. He will have to impose his untapped ability and stop Mayweather. Against Berto, Ortiz was down twice and lost a point for hitting behind the head. A true champion in defense of his title and belief in his ability will not allow such mistakes. Against Mayweather, Ortiz will have to truly be aggressive and fight his own strengths.

With this in mind, I now answer the question about why did Mayweather agree to fight Ortiz. Simply put, it’s within Mayweather’s best interest to fight against a younger southpaw to really show his intention to eventually get the mega-bout against Pacquiao.

Ortiz is not a lightweight opponent by any means, but Mayweather haters will always speculate that he takes fights against those he know he can truly defeat. In addition, he takes fights against those fighters where he can get a better cut because of appeal. Mayweather rightly takes this bout because now, after some thought, it will serve as a tune up bout. Even as I predicted Ortiz will lose, Ortiz will gain some much needed experience against one of the best fighters of his generation. Mayweather’s record cannot go unrecognized. And as for Ortiz, he is the successor to the welterweight division.

Since Mayweather decided to un-retire back in 2009 with his return bout against Marquez, he has been noted more for out of the ring shenanigans more than anything. I don’t keep up. Once you’ve seen Mayweather with good friend 50 Cent and TMZ has him as regular fodder for current athletes in legal trouble, I’m just not interested. So what? This fight fans, is perhaps where I must try to figure out just why Mayweather irks me to no end. Is it his personality?

Is it because he wrongfully suggested that Pacquiao has been taking steroids? Steroid testing issues? Wants a bigger purse? This is where my own self awareness comes to light. Rightly so, Floyd Mayweather JR has not allowed anything to affect his training and winning results in the ring. Mayweather wins and he’s absolutely cool about it. He is the consummate bad boy and his boxing reputation backs up his bravado. So, Floyd Mayweather JR, who has a few fights left in him and he should since he only fights once a year if that, is truly a solid champion fighter. In the ring, Mayweather JR remains calm and in control of his abilities. And, while he got rocked in one round against veteran Mosley, Mayweather JR never looked worried. Mayweather JR is as good as he says and his undefeated record is unmatched.

But before this article gets referred to as a love letter to Mayweather JR, I contend that he will have to fight an elevated fight. Ortiz will have to show more confidence and fight like a true defending champion. In terms of size, the two aren’t that far apart physically with Ortiz only taller by an inch, he is still solidly built and very strong. Ortiz will have to be confident and the show the judges he can fight better.

As an answer to my second question of what Mayweather, JR., must do in order to win? Floyd Mayweather, JR will simply be Floyd Mayweather JR. Mayweather is a solid jab cross fighter that will trade, but his hand speed in exchanges just looks like he connects more. Mayweather may get punched, but he shakes it off. Mayweather will have to fight better than he has ever fought. Also, Mayweather has always been able to take fights from his opponents. He never looks bothered and listens diligently to his Uncle Roger. If you recall, the exchanges between the two are rather subdued, an obvious dialogue without any sense of doubt of the outcome in strategy. Uncle Roger and nephew Floyd have an agreement about how to successfully work Mayweather’s abilities. Floyd Mayweather, JR is a cool customer for sure. He never looks rocked. This can be unsettling for any opponent.

Now finally, the obvious question and answer. If Mayweather, JR., can handle Ortiz, can he handle Pacquiao? The answer is yes, should Mayweather, JR., defeat Ortiz he can handle Pacquiao. But really, I said handle. Whether he can defeat Pacquiao? Simply put, no. I have figured it out though and have worked through my dislike of Mayweather JR. I definitely don’t dislike him as a fighter and a boxer. I just won’t be expecting him to win when he fights Pacquiao.

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