Just giving my bit on yesterday's fight: The good: More controversy, more drama, more ratings! This is good for boxing popularity and should definitely help entice some more fights. The bad: Cheap victory. It was definitely legal, but I think the left was enough to make up for the head butt; it is not like the head butt ended the fight, but the right hand ended the fight prematurely. It basically sucked out all the drama from the contest and seeing who is better. Instead we are now arguing about rules and legality. If Ortiz got the sucker punch on Mayweather and knocked him out like that I would be just as disappointed. The ugly: Mayweather and Merchant post-fight interview. Obviously Mayweather was upset to get interrupted, but he was evading the questions and all his frustrations with Merchant finally erupted. On a professional level Merchant should have kept his cool because Mayweather rakes in a lot of dough for HBO, but on a personal level he stood up for himself and that was great. The actual match: Mayweather looked great. He looked just as quick as he's ever been at 147 and it's time for him to take on bigger challenges before retiring. I also think he's developing some decent power at the weight as well. I'm wondering if he still has any hand problems. Ortiz was looking like he was still trying to get his timing down. I think he was coming on as the rounds progressed and he looked like he was able to rough up Mayweather in spots, especially in the last combo, until that ugly headbutt. I also think Ortiz was taking Mayweathers shots well so I don't think he was in danger of getting stopped until he kept his hands down like he did. It would have been interesting to see how the fight would have unfolded, whether Mayweather would have kept the lead or if Ortiz would have heated things up. Where they should go from here: Mayweather should go up in weight and face Martinez. I think he is the only guy skilled enough and with the dimensions to take on Mayweather. I don't think anyone at 147 can beat Mayweather. I think Pac could maybe do it, but not likely. Of course, Mayweather is looking for easy money and Martinez is not going to bring in the big bucks and he is an actual challenge. Basically I'm astonished at Ortiz apologizing wayyyy too much and was dumb to hug Mayweather after a break. He got carried away with the head but and should have stood by his actions and kept fighting. Financially the best thing Ortiz should do is try and get a rematch. Right now he needs to ride the coat-tails of the controversy, plus Mayweather will be looking for easy money, not a challenge. Ortiz can maybe maybe maybe surprise him in a rematch. He was coming on in the forth and got stopped short of carrying on the momentum. Personally I'm not to interested in a rematch, but might be interesting to see how the fight would unfold over 12.
