It seems as though there's mixed reactions among fans and media alike regarding the outcome of this past Saturday's fight, when Floyd Mayweather teed off with a left hook/right hand combination on an unsuspecting Victor Ortiz, who was attempting to apologize after a blatant headbutt. Although Mayweather's actions were perfectly legal, there are some who think the move was unsportsmanlike, given that Ortiz was in the middle of apologizing for something he had been doing the entire fight, but was finally deducted a point for. It appears, however, that there's one group of people who all believe that it was Mayweather who was right, and Ortiz who was wrong in regards to what took place in the final seconds of the 4th round. For all intents and purposes, just about every fighter, who laces up the gloves and steps into that squared circle, agrees that Victor Ortiz broke the cardinal rule of protecting himself at all times, and as such, he paid the price accordingly.
Shortly after the outcome of the fight, a number of professional boxers took to Twitter to share their opinion of what took place. While there was a small minority who felt Mayweather took advantage of a golden opportunity, the vast majority of them all agreed that his actions were not "dirty" or "controversial" and the only person to blame was Victor Oritz. Here's a look at some of their tweets immediately after the fight:
LENNOX LEWIS
LennoxLewis: Ortiz made 2 critical mistakes n last round. The headbutt & after the ref said 2 fight, to not protect himself at all times.
LennoxLewis: When the ref says fight. It doesn't matter if he looks away. The fighters were instructed to fight not hug.
LennoxLewis: The ref clearly said "Let's Go" and even gave the hand gestures to begin fighting again after the point deduction.
LennoxLewis: Ortiz shouldnt have been looking to the ref...he should have been protecting himself.
LennoxLewis: @FloydMayweather took advantage of Ortiz's youth. PYAAT is one of this 1st things your told in boxing.
LennoxLewis: After the 1st punch Ortiz knew that @FloydMayweather was back to biz...yet he looked to the ref instead of covering up. #BigMistake
BERNARD HOPKINS
THEREALBHOP: I wuld did same thing.. did u c my fight wit Elchos n pascal?
THEREALBHOP: it was a legal punch the ref said fight.
ANTONIO TARVER
AntonioTarver: Protect yourself at all times, it's the first rule of boxing.
SERGIO MARTINEZ
maravillabox: Pelea fácil para Floyd. Final inesperado. Ortiz se libró de una dura golpiza! [Easy fight for Floyd. Unexpected end. Ortiz fought a hard beating!]
maravillabox: Le ganó en todo a Ortiz, incluso en suciedad. Nunca hubo pelea. [He won everything Ortiz, even dirt. There was never any fight.]
maravillabox: Floyd se llevó un gran cabezazo. La reacción es fea, pero humana. Somos boxeadores, no somos premios nobeles de la paz. [Floyd was a great header. The reaction is ugly, but human. We are fighters, we are no Nobel prizes for peace.]
ANDRE BERTO
AndreBerto: 2 B honest the butt was wrong and the last right hand punch that Floyd threw was alittle much... But u have to protect yourself at all times
NONITO DONAIRE
filipinoflash: Protect yourself at all times. This is boxing. WHen some1 hits you once, don't look n e where else, cover your face! Once the ref says go, you better put your hands up, esp after you got deducted for an intentional headbutt, cuz your opponent doesn't have to accept your apology. And what the hell was that kiss all about?
BRANDON RIOS
Brandon_Rios1: All I can say 2 everybody tht watch the fight last nite....the number one rule is protect ur self at all time...tht all I got 2 say about it
FERNANDO VARGAS
_FernandoVargas: WHOS THE DIRTY FIGHTER???!!! NO CONTROVERSY!!! ENOUGH SAID!!!! Ortiz JUSTIFIABLY KOD!!!
PETER QUILLIN
KIDCHOCOLATE: Look at it lik u want but rule says protect yourself at all times.
EDDIE CHAMBERS
Champfasteddie: Victor Ortiz should of never dropped his guard... & always know u are never friend while u in that ring!!
STEVE CUNNINGHAM
usscunningham: it was a bad ending from the fans standpoint, but its fight time he should have been ready to fight and not apologize 10x
usscunningham: listen if I were to get blantantly headbutted like that, the fight would probably ended sooner cause of my reaction
usscunningham: I really understand now why Floyd does wut he does after reading all the hate about him,Ortiz incited the situation but they haye on floyd
ANDRE DIRRELL
andredirrell: "technically right/Morally wrong" it goes wit the sport, but I dont think head butts fit anywhere n boxing!
andredirrell: @VICIOUSortiz u caused the whole situation to happen by simply losing your cool, it was disappointing to see but fuck it! We live we learn
BRIAN VILORIA
BrianViloria: Once the referee says fight...put yo damn guard up!
BrianViloria: Karma came quick for that headbutt attempt tho. Yikes. That was not a good look.
SHAWN PORTER
ShowtimeSHAWNP: Mayweather is ruthless and unbelievably talented!! He did his thug thizzal tonight!!
JUAN DIAZ
1Babybull: I did not like the way the fight ended, but everything about the situation was legal and in end Mayweather's job is to win.
OMAR HENRY
OmarHenry: Actually the only DIRTY thing that happened in the fight tonight was Victor Ortiz headbutting @FloydMayweather. STOP HATING!!!!
OmarHenry: By the way also Victor could have made the count he got hit with a harder shot by Andre Berto and got up. He quit once again PERIOD!
OmarHenry: By the way the ending wasnt dirty protect yourself at all times Victor was looking for an excuse out and he found it. STOP HATING!