Fans Jump In to Defend Floyd Mayweather’s Questionable ‘Cheap’ Act From Past

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather became the WBC junior welterweight champion back in 2005 after beating Arturo Gatti. The fight was a lopsided performance with ‘Money’ getting the victory after Gatti retired on the stool in the sixth round. However, there was one moment more infamous than the fight itself.

In the first round, Mayweather landed an uppercut while Gatti was seemingly down. To protest this Gatti looked towards the referee which gave ‘Money’ another opportune moment to strike. He wobbled off the canvas onto the ropes with a barrage of punches while Gatti was distracted which became the taking point after the fight. Moreover, TopRank recently released footage of the controversial shots asking the fans whether the shot was clean or not. This was not all as the fans were also quick to react to this infamous punch.

Fans react to Floyd Mayweather landing a controversial punch to Arturo Gatti

One fan stated that despite the first rule of boxing being, protecting yourself at all times, this was still an illegal punch by Mayweather.

Another fan requested that there should have been a point deduction or disqualification for this blatant disregard of rules.

One fan also agreed that there should have been a warning. However, he also emphasized the importance of protecting yourself during a match.

However, another fan stated that although the punch looked illegal, it was fair. He added that if the referee does not step in to warn the person who delivered a supposedly illegal punch, the one getting hit was the one liable for taking the punches.

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One fan even went as far as claiming that it was both. He stated that while an honorable guy would not resort to this, Mayweather’s undefeated record did not come by fighting honorably.

Lastly, one fan stated that he could not understand why people always forget the first rule of boxing or fighting for that matter.

The fans had mixed opinions about the punch. Some felt that it was legal as Gatti should have protected himself after looking at the referee. However, some think that Mayweather should not have hopped on to punch his opponent while he was pleading with the referee.

Mayweather vs Gatti: A look into the match with a controversial ending

Despite this moment being the talking point of the fight, ‘TBE’s performance was levels above his opponent. Coming into the fight Mayweather was already a two-weight class champion and this would be his first chance to headline a PPV.

Moreover, he did not disappoint his fans as after the first round the fight turned into a mismatch with  Gatti’s orbitals, and his mouth swollen beyond recognition. This led his corner to stop the fight heading into the seventh round as Gatti retired on the stool, bruised and battered.

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Do you think the punch was legal or not? Let us know in the comments.