30 little-known facts about Floyd Mayweather Jr.
10. Mayweather scored his last KO in 2011 against Victor Ortiz
Although Floyd Mayweather Jr. isn’t known for devastating punching power, the precision of his shots carry enough force to consistently stun opponents. However, no such breakdown of Mayweather’s technique or punch distribution is necessary to dissect his last knockout, which came in 2011 against Victor Ortiz in one of the most perplexing endings to a fight in recent boxing history. And given that the mercurial Ortiz was involved, this should come as no surprise.
Victor Ortiz was once viewed as boxing’s brightest bluechip prospect, and while he did defeat Andre Berto in a classic slugfest to claim the WBC welterweight title, his shot at Mayweather was wildly premature and, as recent years have proven, never deserved. Still, Mayweather-Ortiz was partly sold based on Ortiz’s youth, athleticism and punching power. Despite his undeniable gifts, Ortiz was thoroughly outclassed before getting blasted out at the end of the fourth.
With about 20 seconds left in the round, Ortiz launched a two-fisted assault, backing Mayweather into a corner. But just when Ortiz appeared to be seizing the initiative, he unleashed a vicious intentional headbutt that forced referee Joe Cortez to pause the fight in order to deduct a point. Before the action resumed, Ortiz twice apologized to Mayweather, even being so bold as to attempt to kiss his cheek.
When the fight officially resumed, Ortiz apologized again, and Mayweather reciprocated with a half-hearted embrace. Then, after Ortiz had dropped his guard, Mayweather unleashed a clean left hook-lunging right cross combination that flattened Ortiz for the count. Vitriole and intense debate followed; had Mayweather acted in an unsportsmanlike fashion, or had Ortiz simply failed to protect himself at “all times”? Regardless, the bout is perhaps best known for Mayweather’s post-fight shouting match with the eloquent Larry Merchant, who hilariously retorted, “I wish I was 50 years younger and I’d kick your ass.”