Victor Ortiz Called Out for “B**ch Move” Against Floyd Mayweather as Michael Jai White Settles Boxing’s 13-Year-Old Debate

The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz in 2011 is an infamous one in the history of boxing. That day, September 17, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas saw Mayweather clinching Ortiz’s WBC welterweight title. However, the aftertaste of the victory was bittersweet.

The controversial fight included a headbutt by Ortiz that led to a cut on Mayweather. A time-out was called. Ortiz apologized for the foul and hugged Mayweather. As the referee, Joe Cortez, was looking away, Mayweather landed a left hook on Ortiz, who was still off-guard from the apology. A right hook soon followed sending Victor Ortiz crashing to the canvas. It was evident that Ortiz had his hands down even after the referee had resumed the fight and Mayweather took advantage of that lack of attention from Ortiz. Even though it was a legal move, fans and other experts started questioning the way victory was achieved. Thirteen years later, Hollywood actor and martial artist Michael Jai White was asked by DJ Vlad about the incident, as well as Ortiz’s testimony on the incident. Surprisingly enough, White defended Mayweather.

Victor Ortiz could have defended himself, says Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White was asked about his opinion regarding the controversial fight. This question came after a few days earlier, Ortiz himself had accepted that the headbutt was intentional. White was in no mood to defend Ortiz and was adamant that ‘Vicious’ had time to protect himself. “This is my opinion. That first blow, he had time to defend himself from the big blow. He absolutely did. I think, psychologically, he accepted that. I really feel that way. Because there was time for him to (defend himself) instead of leaving himself open. There was one punch that was not lethal,” the action star claimed.

The actor was not done and further stated that the headbutt by Victor Ortiz was in no way ethical. He called out the critics for slamming Floyd Mayweather rather than criticizing Ortiz, who was completely in the wrong.

“It looked bad, but when you weigh the fact that this man intentionally tried to headbutt him, so it’s not caught up in the moment. You could hurt this man, that is so against (the rules). That’s a bi**h move on the third power. I tried not to be biased but when I weigh the two, so yeah we touched gloves and you still got your hands down, you deserve it,” Michael Jai White added convincingly.

White held a strong opinion regarding the matter and was kind of surprised that everyone found Money’s reaction problematic rather than the situation that led to it. White further clarified that you have to be ready in the ring at all times and if you can’t handle that as a professional boxer, you deserve the sucker punch. This reaction by White becomes more valid when you realize that it was Ortiz’s camp that advised him to headbutt Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather: Protect yourself at all times

A few weeks ago, Ortiz himself sat down with the Ukrainian American journalist and admitted that the headbutt was not a mistake. ‘Vicious’ laid down the match situation and how he was handling some illegal blows, but the referee did not pay much heed to it. In the end, the 33-7 boxer had to complain about the matter to his camp, who advised him a headbutt to balance the scale.

The Kansas-born boxer did not get the opportunity in earlier rounds, as Floyd Mayweather was on top of him. But in the fourth round after a brief barrage of punches, Ortiz laid down the headbutt and that sent Mayweather into a rage.

“I had told my corner over and over again that he was hurting my eye. It’s closed; it’s shut, so I was seeing double out of one eye. It was weird, and then it went black—just black. Just before seconds out, I put my mouthpiece in, and I heard, ‘Headbutt him; if you give him a headbutt, take a point; it is what it is’, “Ortiz recalled his corner’s instruction to the interviewer.

Victor Ortiz tried to calm things down by hugging Floyd Mayweather but it was to no avail. In the post-match conference, ‘Money’ looked back at the situation and stated, “We touched gloves, and we were back to fighting, and then I threw the left hook and right hand after the break. You just have to protect yourself at all times.” In his eyes, the fight had resumed and you have to be ready at all times when you are inside the ring.

What do you think about the situation? Do you agree with Floyd Mayweather and Michael Jai White’s statements? Let us know down below.