Comments Thread For: Evander Holyfield Gives His Take on Mayweather-Ortiz

[GRUSTLER]

The two scenarios are different. With this fight, you had a guy purposely and illegally headbutt another fighter. What was he expecting after that?? For him to get treated cleanly? Once again, you're telling one fighter to act clean for another's dirty acts. Lets let this **** make sense. **** that totally blows my mind with you is that you show sympathy for the guy who illegally initiated the whole thing, and show hate for the guy who legally retaliated. You can talk about the whole apology all you want, but as far as I'm concerned, its not up to you or Victor or even the ref to decide if that apology should be accepted or not. It's up to Floyd. And he chose not to accept it. We can't judge him on that or say anything. That's his choice and no one else. Floyd should have handled it like a champion? To my understanding, Ortiz was the one who came in as the champion that night.

And you're right. This is a professional sport. Ortiz acted unprofessionally in two ways. One, that headbutt was unprofessional. Two, he didn't protect himself.

But even with that said, at the end of the day, you and all the other haters are talking about class in world like boxing. Can you see the irony in that? Class? Boxing? Come on, dude. Let's be normal here.

And to answer the bolded question in your post, "Why would you want to throw a cheap shot at your opponent who wasn't ready?" The answer is simple. Because Victor threw a cheap shot at him first. Unfortunately in baseball, if the pitcher purposely throws a ball at the batter, the batter cannot run up to the pitcher and punch him in the face. Fortunately...this is boxing.

Also, people talk about the headbutt but not the punch Ortiz threw after the headbutt in which if Cortez would not have stepped in at the right time could have really hurt Floyd because he was wide open for the punch because he was still beefing about the headbutt. Ortiz was playing dirty bottomline. On top of that. I would think him being a professinal fighter that he would put his hands up after the first punch. Still amazing to me how he kept his hands down the whole time when in actuality when a person gets hit they are supposed to react defensive and counter automatically. Ortiz did that bull**** and then wanted to cry foul. I wish the fight didn't end like that but he got popped in his mouth for being a dumb ass.

[fcastro1]

floyd cheap shot mayweather. he did it against gatti, mosley and now ortiz. dude will do anything to win. Thats why he wont fight pac untill he gets everything his way.

cant wait for the fight if it happens. pac is going to beat him and show him some manners and how a true champ is supposed to behave.

[Hallaqsillaq]

Also, people talk about the headbutt but not the punch Ortiz threw after the headbutt in which if Cortez would not have stepped in at the right time could have really hurt Floyd because he was wide open for the punch because he was still beefing about the headbutt. Ortiz was playing dirty bottomline. On top of that. I would think him being a professinal fighter that he would put his hands up after the first punch. Still amazing to me how he kept his hands down the whole time when in actuality when a person gets hit they are supposed to react defensive and counter automatically. Ortiz did that bull**** and then wanted to cry foul. I wish the fight didn't end like that but he got popped in his mouth for being a dumb ass.

There is something inherently twisted with people who accept a wrong as a retaliation for another wrong, especially in what was once called a gentleman's sport. As a professional, Floyd should have taken the high road, accepted the apology, and proceeded to destroy Victor systematically. The cheap shot ruined the night, his comeback, and what was left of his already shaky reputation as a low life with money.

Floyd's a grade A douche bag. His latest actions in the ring and his rant will forever cement him as one.

[Hallaqsillaq]

floyd cheap shot mayweather. he did it against gatti, mosley and now ortiz. dude will do anything to win. Thats why he wont fight pac untill he gets everything his way.

cant wait for the fight if it happens. pac is going to beat him and show him some manners and how a true champ is supposed to behave.

Pac would smash his face in at the first sign of dirtiness.

Floyd's a damn coward.

[fcastro1]

Amazing!!! I just watched it again in slow mo. It was Floyd who initiated the hug after Cortez gave the signal to box.

Watch it!!!

Ortiz only extended his arms to touch gloves. Floyd gestured to get close and hug and the naive Ortiz ******ly agreed.

Man that's EVIL. Low class. Low low class.

premiditated.

[Hallaqsillaq]

what do morals have to do with boxing. boxing is a combat sport and anything goes within he rules. it is never a fighters responsibility to protect the other fighter, if he wants to kiss and hug, then he deserves to get punished. the referee says, box you fight, period. these writers are freakin idiots, talking about morals in boxing. i'm a fromer fighter and if he would have headbutted me, he would have gotten one back. but perfect revenge is a k.o. which was "legal". these writers who have never been in the ring have no right to judge fighters behavior during "war"; boxing is a life and death struggle. I have seen guys die in the amatuers and gyms; we they say protect yourself at all times, that's what you do. as a fighter, you have a moral responsibilty to put the other fighter on his ass !!!

So there is no honor in combat sports? Ignorance at its best. Combat sports are MOSTLY about honor you idiot.

It is not street fighting, it is a sport.

Boxing is NOT a life and death struggle, though it inherently carries such risks. Why do you think a guy like Pacquaio stepped off his attack on Margarito? He knows his purpose is to win, not pummel someone too tough for his own good to death, or permanent damage.

[ChInGo_BlInG]

If the kid got Ko'd in 4 rounds or even 2 no biggie, if it had done in fair way. I’m about paying 60 buks for someone to end a fight a sucker. What’s the point in that it was like watching an episode of “Jack ASS”….

[edgarg]

Its funny Ortix dirty fouls Mayweather 1st. And Ortiz is the victim! PROTECT YOUR SELF AT ALL TIMES!. Ortiz has only himself to blame. And Gotti took his eyes off floyd to talk to the referee! These boxers need to BOX & LET THERE CORNERS ADDRESS the refs inbetween rounds!

The Gatti incident occurred as they were parting at a break. A definite foul.

[apunchnotseen]

Did I make to the end of this article?, did the riveting question asking hold my interest?, Does knowing Evander Holifield, somehow make an opinion relevant? Does Floyd,HBO, or the entire boxing fanbase care if you can't stand to watch Floyd( oh right you said it with a hint oh knowing better)? Except I'll give you the answers no,no,no and no

[CubanGuyNYC]

This debate is going to rage forever. As far as I'm concerned, the only real question that matters is whether the punches in question were legal. Practically everyone (certainly everyone that counts) says they were. As for whether they were un-sportsmanlike (or anything related), that's a matter of opinion.

For what it's worth, I happen to believe Floyd's actions were a little on the dirty side. I probably wouldn't have done what Mayweather did. Victor should've known better, though. There are several good reasons why they say, "Protect yourself at all times." One of them is that the world is inhabited by opportunistic people who will take advantage of your soft heart and mental lapses.

Mayweather exercised ring guile and won legitimately by executing a combination that was his right to deliver. Anything said beyond that is academic.