He is…
It took me awhile to gather all my thoughts on Saturday’s fight.
I knew before I sat down and expressed my thoughts, I should have at least three heated conversations with the fan of Victor Ortiz (synonymous with the despiser of Floyd Mayweather), acting as the Mayweather apologist.
I felt I had to have these conversations, considering there is rarely a grey area when it comes to Money Mayweather. I seldom run across the person who describes their feelings towards Mayweather with a shoulder shrug or any expression of indifference.
People love him or they hate him.
I happen to love him. His skill in the ring is unmatched.
But the discussion surrounding Mayweather, especially after Saturday’s soiree, now becomes more focused on respect.
We respect his skill, but do we respect him?
The question has become difficult. If ever my nephews expressed an interest in boxing, I would put on a Mayweather highlight tape.
But would I be forced to turn it off the second he opens his mouth to speak?
It’s a difficult question to answer, considering his prowess in the ring seems to have some connection to his demeanor outside of the ring.
He’s an asshole, undoubtedly. But how does his character play into his physical ability?
We learned Saturday that a lot of who Mayweather is away from the canvas square, makes its way into the ring.
Saturday was not a boxing match as much as it was a chapter. It was an interview. It was a moment to learn more about the most polarizing figure in sports today.
Unfortunately for Victor Ortiz, he served as a small character in a biography yet to reach completion.
What are the two sides of the argument that have swirled around the nation for the past 48 hours?
One argument says Ortiz should have protected himself at all times while in the ring. The same argument says Ortiz got what he deserved head-butting Mayweather so viciously and inexplicably.
The other argument is that Floyd closed his most recent chapter in cheap fashion, as he decked an unassuming and helpless Ortiz. Some would say Floyd is better than that, that he did not win admirably.
I happen to agree with the former. Floyd has a legacy to protect, as well as a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Yes, he was winning clearly. But this is boxing. One punch could end everything, and that is not a risk Floyd wanted to or should have taken.
If the ref says fight, you fight.
Floyd did. Ortiz did not.
It was a rookie mistake that cost him against a veteran with bad intentions.
But each argument has valid points. The issue that interests me is why there is such a heated argument in the first place.
It was a huge boxing match. Every fight of Floyd’s is grandiose to say the least. But when I play role reversal in my head, Floyd head-butting Ortiz, then getting knocked out, I can’t help but feel the public would be happy.
Floyd got what he deserved.
Why is that?
That question is rhetorical. We all know why, and the answer is because Floyd is an asshole.
I would hope that no one is surprised that Mayweather punched a distracted Ortiz. If you’ve ever seen an episode of HBO’s 24/7, you know that Floyd is a selfish person, concerned solely with his success.
And that’s his prerogative. He’s in a one man sport, earning tens of millions of dollars annually.
His team caters to him. He’s the meal ticket.
In his world, it’s his world.
If you saw the Shane Mosley fight, you would know that Floyd will hit those who are not ready, just as he punched Shane in the face during the middle rounds as Shane tried to apologize.
I’m confused as to why people expect more out of Floyd, when outside of the ring, he does not portray himself as some positive community figure.
Never has.
I mean, he was onstage, in the club, burning $100 bills. What makes people think he wouldn’t punch a guy looking the other way, as long as it was legal?
What makes people think that he wouldn’t say to an 80-year old guy, “You ain’t shit!”
I’ve been able to maintain my fandom for Floyd for the simple fact that I know who he is. I don’t expect positivity to spew out of his mouth. I expect foul language, abrasiveness, and cockiness.
And personally, foul language, abrasiveness, and cockiness, make me laugh.
I would not be a fan of Floyd if he portrayed himself differently on different occasions. That would be fake to me.
He is who he is, 100 percent of the time. In the ring. Outside of the ring.
Is that arguable?
Yet another rhetorical question.
