Victor Ortiz, the former WBC welterweight champion, expresses disappointment over Floyd Mayweather's recent inactivity in the boxing world, particularly regarding their potential rematch. Ortiz, who was controversially defeated by Mayweather in 2011, believes that Mayweather's reluctance to engage in another fight is a missed opportunity for fans and himself.
Mayweather's lack of activity has sparked various matchups, including a potential bout with Mike Tyson, which has yet to materialize. Ortiz, however, is focused on his upcoming bare-knuckle boxing debut against Dominic Salcido, a different style of combat that he is eager to showcase.
In an interview, Ortiz shared his thoughts on Mayweather's situation, stating, 'It’s a bummer, you know. It’s a shame. People always wanted to see me versus Floyd but realistically, something like that, he’ll keep himself out of harm’s way. He knows what was going to happen. We weren’t going 12 rounds. I was going to knock him out but that was twelve years ago.'
Ortiz's frustration stems from the belief that Mayweather intentionally avoided a rematch, especially after he asked for it multiple times, even offering it for free. He mentions Mayweather's reputation for valuing money and his strategic approach to avoiding potential harm, which he believes was evident in their previous encounter.
Despite the disappointment, Ortiz has moved on and is now preparing for his bare-knuckle boxing debut. He sees this new challenge as an opportunity to showcase his skills in a different arena, stating, 'I asked for the rematch countless times, even for free. We know that Floyd loves money. Keep all the money. I just want to knock you out.'
The article concludes by highlighting the contrast between Ortiz's active approach to boxing and Mayweather's apparent reluctance to engage in another high-profile fight, leaving fans wondering if a rematch will ever come to fruition.