Floyd vs. Victor

By Jeannie Avila

Billboards are plastered with the faces of Floyd Mayweather and WBC welterweight titleholder Victor Ortiz on freeways, high-rise buildings and heavily trafficked areas in Southern California. Will this be Mayweather’s last hurrah?

“Anything can happen any given Saturday,” said Mayweather.

Time after time Mayweather has prevailed but age has a way of catching up to even the best of fighters especially at age 34.

Undefeated Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) hopes to prove against Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) on Saturday Sept. 17, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, that time has not taken away those crackling counters or whip snapping reflexes. The world title fight is the main event of a very good pay-per-view shown on HBO.

Physically, Mayweather looks the same with his ever-present roll of hundred dollar bills flashing from his hands and his man-about-town presence throughout the Las Vegas strip. But it’s been a long 16 months since the undefeated multi-division world champion has stepped in between the ring ropes.

“As far as me deteriorating or losing skills-I think I'm still very, very sharp and still strong. The reason why is because I don't think I've been in any toe-to-toe wars. I think when a fighter's in a toe-to-toe war, a lot of wars, its wear and tear on the body, and I haven't taken no abuse,” explains Mayweather.

Still, the legs erode and when it comes there is no warning label or expiration date. It happens to the very best.

Former world champion Roy Jones Jr. had never been beaten and was virtually untouchable until he reached age 34, the same age as Mayweather. A disputed win over Antonio Tarver in 2003 was followed by a devastating knockout loss in 2004. The legs were rubbery and simply weren’t there when Jones needed them.

Oscar De La Hoya was similarly 34 when he fought Mayweather in 2007. Though he fought well for seven rounds, thereafter the legs seemed to wear out and lost their spring and thereafter the younger Mayweather rolled to victory on fresher legs.

No one can beat Father Time, not even Mayweather though he does his best to keep the rust from gathering.

Ortiz, 24, does not possess the pure boxing skills of Mayweather nor does he come from a lengthy boxing pedigree as his opponent, but the Ventura-based welterweight wields pure concussive knockout power in both hands. Anyone facing Ortiz risks unconsciousness or being floored at any moment.

“As far as I’m concerned you’re born as a puncher. As far as that goes power will definitely go in to be a factor in the fight,” promises Ortiz, 24, who captured the world title by knocking down Andre Berto twice and out-muscling the muscular and speedy fighter. 

Despite a knockout loss to Marcos Maidana and a draw to Lamont Peterson, those setbacks and questions at junior welterweight seemed to evaporate when he moved up to 147 pounds. As a full welterweight Ortiz seems to be stronger.

“What people have to realize is Victor is 24 years young with fresh legs and moves like a cat,” said De La Hoya, the president of Golden Boy Promotions. “People are going to be surprised. People are going to be shocked. There is no doubt in his mind that Victor is going to win.”

Time will tell.

Risky business

Golden Boy Promotions is risking that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez can draw a big crowd to the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday Sept. 17, though a bigger fight card is happening in Las Vegas simultaneously.

WBC junior middleweight world titleholder Alvarez fights Alfonso Gomez in a battle between Mexican prizefighters from Guadalajara. The title fight is one of many at Staples Center where admission price is very reasonable and includes the ability to watch the Las Vegas fights on a big screen.

Those attending the fight card in Las Vegas will be able to watching the Canelo-Gomez fight on a big screen.

Golden Boy is gambling that two separate fight cards in two cities can generate interest simultaneously. The fight card in Las Vegas will also feature Erik Morales facing Pablo Cano; Josesito Lopez fighting Jessie Vargas; Said Ouali matched with Carson Jones; and Adonis Stevenson against Dion Savage.

“We think it will be successful,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy.

Fights on television

Thurs. ESPN, 7 p.m., Jhonny Gonzalez (49-7) vs. Rogers Mtagwa (27-14-2).

Fri. Telefutura, 11:30 p.m., Seth Mitchell (22-0) vs. Hector Ferreyro (21-10-2).

Sat. HBO pay-per-view, 6 p.m., Floyd Mayweather (41-0) vs. Victor Ortiz (29-2-2); Saul Alvarez (37-0-1) vs. Alfonso Gomez (23-4-2); Erik Morales (51-7) vs. Pablo Cano (22-0-1); and Josesito Lopez (29-3) vs. Jessie Vargas (16-0).

Sat. Fox, 7 p.m. Mercito Gesta (22-0-1) vs. Manuel Perez (16-6).