Tag: Floyd Mayweather

Larry Merchant: Still Talking Out His Ass

(You know who’s lucky I don’t have a time machine? Those damn kids with their skateboards on my sidewalks!) 

When he’s not harassing fighters inside the ring or making up false claims about MMA promotions paying him 5 million dollars to attend an event, I’d like to imagine that Larry Merchant is playing Parcheesi in Boca Vista somewhere, just enjoying the fact that time travel doesn’t exist so he wouldn’t have to follow through on some of his outrageous claims. Well, I would be wrong in that assessment, because it turns out Merchant is far too busy talking out his ass at every possible opportunity to even have time for table based games of mental aptitude. In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Merchant responded to Dana White’s claims that he was “senile” and “an embarrassment to HBO” with the following statement, which I can only assume took a fortnight to spit out:

(You know who’s lucky I don’t have a time machine? Those damn kids with their skateboards on my sidewalks!) 

When he’s not harassing fighters inside the ring or making up false claims about MMA promotions paying him 5 million dollars to attend an event, I’d like to imagine that Larry Merchant is playing Parcheesi in Boca Vista somewhere, just enjoying the fact that time travel doesn’t exist so he wouldn’t have to follow through on some of his outrageous claims. Well, I would be wrong in that assessment, because it turns out Merchant is far too busy talking out his ass at every possible opportunity to even have time for table based games of mental aptitude. In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Merchant responded to Dana White’s claims that he was “senile” and “an embarrassment to HBO” with the following statement, which I can only assume took a fortnight to spit out:

“Let’s see, anyone who can make a multimillion dollar business out of street fighting has to be respected. My opinion is that anyone is allowed to put up a tent, put on a show, and invite people to come. And obviously he’s had a lot of success. Good for him. I don’t watch it. I don’t get a so-called sport in which you can have a 6-2 record and be called a world champion. I just don’t appreciate the finer points of MMA. It’s a free country. I’m a commentator, and if I’m commenting and observing on others than how can I not be open to others observing and commenting on me?”

Now, I can understand what Merchant is trying to say here, but to refer to MMA as street fighting immediately after witnessing one of the dirtiest finishes to a high profile boxing match in recent history seems a bit…douchey. Not to mention the fact that this is the same man who threatened to kick the winner of said boxing match’s ass just moments after the fight was over. Stay classy, Larry.

-Danga

Floyd Mayweather, Brock Lesnar and the Biggest Villains in Combat Sports Today

When Floyd Mayweather sucker-punched Victor Ortiz to earn a knockout victory earlier this month, the boxing world was sent into a tailspin.It wasn’t that the undefeated (42-0) Mayweather wasn’t winning the fight, but it almost seemed as if …

When Floyd Mayweather sucker-punched Victor Ortiz to earn a knockout victory earlier this month, the boxing world was sent into a tailspin.

It wasn’t that the undefeated (42-0) Mayweather wasn’t winning the fight, but it almost seemed as if he went out of his way to land the cheap shot. Worse yet, he was completely unapologetic about it after the fight.

Mayweather instantly became public enemy No. 1 in the boxing world, joining other fighters like the UFC’s Brock Lesnar, who have practically come right out and revealed themselves to be anti-heroes, even villains, in combat sports.

Being the “bad guy” isn’t always embraced by fans, but it’s something that has earned some of these fighters a lot of money. Perhaps even more money than they could have ever earned if they were more fan favorites.

Pro wrestling learned many years ago that while it is the “good guy” who the fans will rally behind, it is the “bad guy” who truly makes them their money by enticing fans to attend events, purchase pay-per-views and spend money on merchandise to support that “good guy.”

Certainly pro wrestling is different than real competition, but these concepts still remain true. Just ask yourself, “How many times have I cheered against someone more than I was really cheering for his opponent?” The answer may surprise you.

These fighters have not only accepted their role as “bad guys” in combat sports, which is why they have been named the 10 best villains in combat sports today.

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UFC: Could Floyd Mayweather Make It Inside the Octagon?

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is arguably the greatest boxer to have ever stepped foot inside the ring.Mayweather, who hadn’t fought in over a year, recently squared off with the WBC World Welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in La…

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is arguably the greatest boxer to have ever stepped foot inside the ring.

Mayweather, who hadn’t fought in over a year, recently squared off with the WBC World Welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As expected, Mayweather knocked out Ortiz at just 2:59 in the 4th round of action. To date, Mayweather has never lost a fight, posting an unbelievable and perfect record of 42-0.

Of his 42 career victories, 26 have come by way of knockout and 16 by decision.

Mayweather has won 10 world titles, two fighter of the year awards and was declared the boxing world’s greatest pound for pound fighter.

He’s won the world championship in five different weight classes and proves time and time again that he is virtually unstoppable.

Because of Mayweather’s world class achievements, many have begun to question a career in Ultimate Fighting.

Mayweather, who’s been quick to bash the UFC has never even stepped foot inside the Octagon.

If Mayweather were to pursue a career in mixed martial arts he would currently fall in the Featherweight division of 145-pounders.

While “Money” Mayweather would certainly have the advantage in striking and stand up game, he would be far too inexperienced in every other aspect of the sport.

Sure, Mayweather could win a few bouts against the UFC’s lesser opponents. But if the fight were taken to the ground, Mayweather would essentially have no skills in defending himself.

Any experienced fighter would look to take Mayweather to the ground only to ground and pound their way to victory. Mayweather also has no experience in submissions or submission defense.

While Mayweather may escape with a few victories in the UFC, he would certainly never be an elite fighter.

Being a champion inside the Octagon requires much more than exceptional boxing skills. It requires an expertise in all phases of the sport. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. could never be an elite fighter in the UFC.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White Blasts Referee of Mayweather-Ortiz Fight

Dana White is not afraid to let the world know what he is feeling. He recently took to Twitter to vent his feelings about the referee that officiated the recent boxing matchup between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz.Mayweather knocked out Ortiz o…

Dana White is not afraid to let the world know what he is feeling. He recently took to Twitter to vent his feelings about the referee that officiated the recent boxing matchup between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz.

Mayweather knocked out Ortiz on Saturday to remain undefeated, capturing the WBC welterweight title. But the finish came in a very controversial fashion. 

After an intentional head-butt from Ortiz, the fight was temporarily stopped by referee Joe Cortez. Whilst Cortez was docking a point from Ortiz, his eyesight was averted from the fighters. Ortiz, meanwhile, was apologizing to Mayweather for the foul and the two fighters touched gloves to resume fighting.

Whilst Ortiz stepped back with his guard down, Mayweather caught Ortiz with a left/right combo that left him down for the count.

However, the referee had not seen what had taken place and had to stop the fight. 

Mayweather has defended the decision and stated that Ortiz should not have left his guard down.

Dana White was quick to take to Twitter to criticize the referee:

Was that NUTS or what!?!? Dirty from both fighters and the most HORRIBLE refereeing I have EVER seen in boxing or anywhere else.

White felt that both fighters should have been walked to their respective corners, with the fight restarted properly:

Ref never sent a fighter to a neutral corner to take a point. Especially after an intentional headbutt. That’s why you have a ref!

You can’t blame the fighters. The ref is in there to stop that **** from happening. That is the worst ref’n I have ever seen in boxing EVER.

The controversy surrounding the fight continues to rage on.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre Won’t Pull off That Mayweather Jr. Punch

Neither Anderson “The Spider” Silva nor Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, whoever of the two is MMA’s equivalent of Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr., won’t resort to any infamous legal-but-cheap shots at an opponent.Our MMA greats have too …

Neither Anderson “The Spider” Silva nor Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, whoever of the two is MMA‘s equivalent of Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr., won’t resort to any infamous legal-but-cheap shots at an opponent.

Our MMA greats have too much class and ethics to stoop down for a victory that has “crass” written all over it.

Last Saturday night, the fight world witnessed two kinds of KOs in two different arenas: one that left an indefinite and murky impression on its fans (Mayweather’s vs. Victor Ortiz), and one that was definitely clean and drew nothing but admiration for its executioner (Jake Ellenberger’s vs. Jake Shields).

St-Pierre won’t commit that sin, being the consummate fighter and gentleman. He is also a labor activist; he fights to ensure that judges will always have a job to do in his every fight to justify their hiring. (I’m not saying that they always do a good job, it’s just that they “have a job to do.”)

Silva may exude that supreme confidence inside and outside of the Octagon. He comports himself as if he is way above all other fighters when in fact he really is.

Still, he has consistently shown respect not only for the rules of the fight game, but also to the sensibilities of the fans.

He may have been disqualified in his first match versus Yushin Okami for an illegal up-kick, but that was—and is—the only “blemish” in his otherwise esteemed reputation and record as a clean fighter.

 

He didn’t inflict that blow with malice; he was simply ignorant of that rule against that particular strike on that particular night. (As redemption, he finally disposed of Okami in his last title defense in an impeccable and “un-Mayweather-like” fashion.)

In contrast, it is Mayweather who has an acute spider-sense, ironically, of what is legal and when to exploit it in every opportunity—ethics be damned.

But the most significant difference is this: Mayweather needed a jab-straight combination to finish off Ortiz; Silva could’ve done the job with just one jab.

 

Here is my article Mayweather vs. Ortiz: Boxing Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry Twice.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Video: Floyd Mayweather’s Controversial 4th-Round Knockout of Victor Ortiz

(Props: gsemajt)

Floyd Mayweather upped his perfect boxing record to 42-0 last night with a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz, a win that earned him the WBC Welterweight World Title — but it wouldn’t be Money May without a little controversy.

Mayweather controlled the majority of the first three rounds with his trademark speed, outlanding his younger opponent. The fourth frame was a back-and-forth slugfest, opening with a furious assault by Floyd. But Ortiz turned the tables and battered Mayweather against the ropes in the final minute. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old let his emotions get the better of him.

As you can see in the video above, Ortiz blatantly head-butts Mayweather with 14 seconds left in the round. The referee spots the foul and immediately separates the fighters. By way of apology, Ortiz walks over to Mayweather to give him a hug and kiss. That’s strike one.


(Props: gsemajt)

Floyd Mayweather upped his perfect boxing record to 42-0 last night with a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz, a win that earned him the WBC Welterweight World Title — but it wouldn’t be Money May without a little controversy.

Mayweather controlled the majority of the first three rounds with his trademark speed, outlanding his younger opponent. The fourth frame was a back-and-forth slugfest, opening with a furious assault by Floyd. But Ortiz turned the tables and battered Mayweather against the ropes in the final minute. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old let his emotions get the better of him.

As you can see in the video above, Ortiz blatantly head-butts Mayweather with 14 seconds left in the round. The referee spots the foul and immediately separates the fighters. By way of apology, Ortiz walks over to Mayweather to give him a hug and kiss. That’s strike one.

The ref pulls Ortiz away to deduct a point, and Ortiz goes back to a still-pissed Mayweather to give him a “my bad” glove tap. That’s strike two.

The referee separates them again, and calls the action back in. But Ortiz — sweet, simple Ortiz — wants to give Mayweather another apology-hug. Mayweather pushes him off, stuns him with a left hook, and puts him out with a follow-up right straight. Ortiz does his best to get to his feet, but can’t pull it off.

It’s a moment that underscores the “protect yourself at all times” concept inherent in all combat sports. Mayweather knocked out Ortiz at a moment when he was completely within his rights to do so. Just because a fighter wants to hug you in the middle of fight, doesn’t mean you have to let him. But in the post-fight interview, it’s clear that HBO boxing commentator Larry Merchant feels that Mayweather’s actions were unfair, and that Floyd should have respected the “ceremony” of the situation.

When Merchant keeps pressing him on the issue, Mayweather snaps. “You know what I’m gonna do? ‘Cuz you don’t never give me a fair shake. You know that? So I’m gonna go and let you talk to Victor Ortiz, alright? I’m through. Put somebody else up here to give me an interview. You never give me a fair shake! HBO need to fire you, you don’t know shit about boxing! You ain’t shit. You’re not shit!”

“I wish I was 50 years younger and I’d kick your ass,” Merchant replies.

Stay classy, boxing.