The consensus opinion for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz fight is that Mayweather is going to win the day because he's simply too skilled and too experienced to let Ortiz defeat him. However, an Ortiz victory isn't impossible. In fact, there are many ways that Ortiz could potentially end up as the winner. Here are five possible factors that could lead to an upset outcome in the Mayweather vs. Ortiz bout.
1. Mayweather is Rusty, or Old: Mayweather is 34, a decade older than his opponent, and he has been resting on his laurels for quite some time. There is a strong possibility that he either comes into the ring a bit rusty or that his reflexes and speed have dimmed a bit. In either case, the young, hungry Ortiz could pounce and either hurt Mayweather or control the bout with aggression and work rate.
2. Mayweather is Distracted: Mayweather has had a lot on his mind over the past year. There are lawsuits. There are criminal charges and upcoming court dates. There are ongoing disputes with his father and other family members. The Pacquiao fight is still looming on the horizon, the IRS is breathing down his neck, and more. Mayweather has been great at shutting all this out during his career, but it's enough to distract any man, and Mayweather could be susceptible and come into the bout less focused or prepared than usual.
3. Ortiz Lands the Home Run: Ortiz's biggest and best chance for an upset is a homerun punch. With 22 knockout wins in 29 career victories, Ortiz has serious firepower, and once he gets an opponent hurt, he typically finishes the job in style. If Ortiz lands a flush shot, and he could be helped in that mission with either of the above factors, then he could get a stoppage win, or get enough points on the card to win a decision.
4. Mexican Crowd Influences the Judges: It's going to be a heavily Mexican-centric crowd in Las Vegas, with the fight occurring on Mexican Independence Day weekend and Mexican legend Erik Morales fighting on the card. Ortiz is Mexican-American and will have the support of the crowd, and all of the crowd's cheering could potentially influence the judges into giving close rounds to Ortiz based on his aggression, even if his power punches don't actually land.
5. Referee Becomes a Factor: Ortiz's camp has already been vocal about what they believe are dirty tactics from Mayweather, including elbow and forearm shoves, holding and hitting, and more. It's possible that they could earn a referee's support, and Mayweather could be deducted points or taken out of his game plan as a result of repeated warnings.
So will Mayweather vs. Ortiz end in an upset? They fight the fights for a reason, and while Mayweather should emerge victorious, far stranger things happen in the squared circle on a routine basis.
