Boxing Betting: Floyd Mayweather v Victor Ortiz

Boxing Betting / Alex Steedman / 17 September 2011 /

" class="free_bet_btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">

He's not been fighting regularly but that doesn't mean Floyd Mayweather won't be sharp as a tack

"Ortiz has a technical flaw which means he often stands square onto his opponent and Mayweather is unlikely to miss the opportunity that affords. The main poser facing punters is how Mayweather approaches the job and the way in which he gets it done."

It's been 16 long months since we last Floyd Mayweather in the ring but Alex Steedman has no doubts that 'Money' will return as sharp as ever

He's back. The biggest earner, the biggest draw, the biggest mouth and certainly the biggest ego in boxing returns to the ring this weekend. And lest we forget, Floyd Mayweather Jnr also happens to be the sport's biggest talent too.

Fans haven't seen much of 'Pretty Boy' in recent times. He's fought just twice in nearly four years since stopping Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas where the MGM Grand has become a holiday home for Mayweather.

It is 16 months since little Floyd last laced up the gloves for competition though in truth he wasn't really pushed by Shane Mosley, who was soundly beaten by decision last May. There was a stunning Mosley right hand which landed flush in round two and for the first time ever Mayweather appeared in trouble.

But he regrouped fairly quickly and, to my eye, made a manly point of pressing the action again soon after. Some will suggest that age as well as inactivity is subtly catching up with the money man but I was impressed by Mayweather's chin as well as his mental strength in that moment. There may be a fighter as well as a boxer in there after all.

Unbeaten in 41 fights now, Mayweather ([1.14] to win on Saturday night) has dealt with everything that has come his way and rarely has he been tested. Castillo did well nearly a decade ago, Judah had his moments and De La Hoya came close in a mega fight because Mayweather gave him too much respect but largely boxing life has been a breeze.

Not so the world outside the ring. Defamation, misdemeanour and felony charges continue to cloud Mayweather's existence away from the sport and doubters wonder about distractions and inactivity. I don't. Mayweather is close to Sugar Ray Leonard in talent as well as athletic ability and just as Leonard overcame both to succeed in his time, so Mayweather continues to do the same.

Opponent Victor Ortiz ([8.6]) is a thoroughly likeable guy who has turned around a potentially career-threatening situation to prove himself a champion as well as winning back the fans. Two years ago Ortiz took part in a barnburner against Marcus Maidana (the Argentine who subsequently lost a dramatic fight to Amir Khan) who he knocked down three times in the first two rounds. Despite that start, Ortiz was cut and appeared to use the ailment to 'encourage' the referee to stop the fight. It didn't look good and fans let it be known.

Ortiz then seemed to feel his way through four return wins before a disputed majority draw against Lamont Peterson had the fans wondering again. But it was the Ortiz title-winning performance against Andre Berto up at welterweight last time which silenced the doubters. Quite simply, Ortiz deserved success that night with a performance of heart and desire. But will that be enough against an outstanding talent in Mayweather?

The answer is surely no. I can't remember a championship level southpaw as easy to find with the right hand as Ortiz seems to be. The clumsy Maidana didn't have to work too hard on it and Berto did the same lately. Ortiz has a technical flaw which means he often stands square onto his opponent and Mayweather is unlikely to miss the opportunity that affords. The main poser facing punters is how Mayweather approaches the job and the way in which he gets it done.

Mayweather's victory over Hatton remains his only stoppage in six fights over five years and that includes a unanimous decision over blown up lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez. He is not a thunderous puncher but he is sharp, fast and accurate and he seems to carry authority in the gloves, certainly enough to encourage the ageing Shane Mosley to fight conservatively for much of their fight after his brief, early success.

Mayweather will hit Ortiz, probably enough to threaten the canvass and perhaps enough to incentivise the referee. Most likely though is that Mayweather dominates before emerging triumphant on points and looking ahead. That means the P-word will come up again and while it remains a tantalising tease for fight fans, Mayweather v Pacquiao might be the next obvious step.

Steedo's Selection
2pts back Mayweather to win by Dec/TD/DQ

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>