Larry Merchant on Why Mayweather imploded after the fight

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

Larry Merchant on Mayweather flap
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ESPNLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- HBO boxing announcer Larry Merchant said Monday that Floyd Mayweather's victory over Victor Ortiz on Saturday in Las Vegas was the result of a "legal sucker-punch."

Merchant, a guest on the Mason & Ireland Show on 710 ESPN Radio in Los Angeles on Monday, became part of the storyline Saturday because of a verbal confrontation with Mayweather during a live televised interview in a ring immediately after the fight.

Merchant was asked what he thought set off Mayweather.

Mason & Ireland

HBO Boxing Analyst Larry Merchant talks about the explosive exchange he had with a defiant Floyd Mayweather moments after Floyd's controversial win over Victor Ortiz. Larry calls Mayweather's knockout simply a "legal suckerpunch" and says he would not do anything differently if he had it to do over again.

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"I'm in a long line of media people that he feels have not given him as much credit as he gives himself," Merchant said. "The fans saw what they saw: A sucker-punch ending a fight. Now, was Mayweather within his rights to throw it? Absolutely. Should he have? In my opinion, no. It was a legal blow, but that's not the way great champions do it. And the kid, Ortiz, has blame on him as well.

"But now I'm interviewing Mayweather, and I think he's absorbing the boos in the crowd, which are getting more explosive, more inflammatory, and he understands he's not going to get all the credit he deserves again. And that's what I think set him off, in my opinion."

During the brief post-fight interview, Mayweather called Merchant a name at one point and drew a pointed response from the 80-year-old broadcaster, who said he would thrash the boxer if he "was 50 years younger."

Asking about his own response, Merchant said he had no idea where it came from.

"It was spontaneous combustion," he said. "You're getting personally insulted as well as professionally insulted, and I was just trying my best to ask the questions that everybody wanted answered. And suddenly he assaults me that way, and I just, you know, went off.

"... I did say afterward that I don't think I could've kicked his butt 50 years ago, but I sure would've tried."

Merchant also said if he had a second chance at the interview, he wouldn't do anything differently.

"I have not second-guessed myself," he said. "I don't think that what I did was a sucker-punch. Put it (this) way: It was a counter-punch."

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

He knows PBF better than I do and he was in the ring after the fight. But I find it a little bit hard to believe PBF was moved by the fans reactions to react how he did. He didn't have fans around when he went on a racist tirade on Manny or when he went off on his dad a few weeks ago. PBF isn't about anyone but himself. If anything PBF was tired of not getting media blowjobs after a fight and was pissed about that. Dude wants to be loved. He craves it and covers it up by taking about money this or money that in any extended interview. Fans, are not important. He didn't care about the boos. What he cared about was realizing he did something most champs would never do and being caught doing it. The answering that and the obvious questions about Manny were to much for him.

But he got double r's and 22 thousand square foot houses. He will be all right.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6990594/sucker-punch-just-happened

The part that is being overlooked is how awesome dude looked. Shame people were not talking about that and the cheap shot.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

The part that is being overlooked is how awesome dude looked. Shame people were not talking about that and the cheap shot.

He was aggressive, accurate, and came to have an action packed fight with a bigger, stronger, younger opponent. That's gotten lost in the nonsense over a perfectly legal punch.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

He was aggressive, accurate, and came to have an action packed fight with a bigger, stronger, younger opponent. That's gotten lost in the nonsense over a perfectly legal punch.

I know. And that is the messed up part. But keep in mind that the dude was so green and should not been in the ring with him. This was no young oscar or tito versus sweet pea. ortiz was not on their level when they fought a hall of famer. this was another easy fight. but at least he looked great in it. shame he fucked it up with a sucker punch. lol, funny as hell though.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

I know. And that is the messed up part. But keep in mind that the dude was so green and should not been in the ring with him. This was no young oscar or tito versus sweet pea. ortiz was not on their level when they fought a hall of famer. this was another easy fight. but at least he looked great in it. shame he fucked it up with a sucker punch. lol, funny as hell though.

Not true. By the time he gained this "experience" you suggest he should have, Mayweather would be retired and then the argument would be "Why didn't he fight Ortiz?"

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

Not true. By the time he gained this "experience" you suggest he should have, Mayweather would be retired and then the argument would be "Why didn't he fight Ortiz?"

Ortiz never even defended his title. LOL, you guys are funny. If you think Ortiz derserved the fight and was ready then fine. I guess the odds makers and ever that thought this was a huge mistmatch didn't see the merits to the fight you saw. Like I said. Dude looked great. But it was a fight against a fighter on the a C level at best.

 

[P03t]

Ortiz never even defended his title. LOL, you guys are funny. If you think Ortiz derserved the fight and was ready then fine. I guess the odds makers and ever that thought this was a huge mistmatch didn't see the merits to the fight you saw. Like I said. Dude looked great. But it was a fight against a fighter on the a C level at best.

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

 

[merce77]

I look at it this way. You have 2 great champs at welter. One was fighting a guy coming off the biggest win of his career, an exciting, dangerous fighter who is big and strong. The other guy is taking on an old man who he's making move up in weight AND who he's fought and "beaten" twice already. Floyd gets no props for this fight from the media and it was all because of a "sucker punch". Ortiz has no one to blame but himself - had he been looking at Floyd and protecting himself, this wouldn't have happened. If he hadn't jumped off both feet into Floyd's chin like he was hitting a soccer ball - this wouldn't have happened. But I guess Floyd deserves all the blame.

As far as Larry - he's full of SHIT!!! Dude was prolly riding Floyd the whole time in the fighter meetings etc...but we don't get to see all of this and all we hear is Larry's side of the story. I know Larry was talking shit all night about how Morales win wasnj't legit because he was being "given" a title. But he was very quick to suck off Pacman going to 154 and the WBC actually creating a title for a guy who hadn't earned any kind of shot at a 154 belt against a guy who should have been suspended for life. HBO has become Pac's flunkies. I'm sick of hearing guys like Merchant and Kellerman not telling it like it really is in terms of Pac/Floyd. They question why Floyd hasn't fought Pac yet - but they never ask "why won't Manny take the test - maybe he is dirty".

Look - Floyd will destroy Pacquiao - I'm saying it. This fight is never going to happen. Floyd whupping Pacquiao will expose Manny as not being near Floyd's level and it will affect his all time status - something they've very carefully and craftily built. This fight will never happen, mark my words. After Marquez, Pac will fight Ortiz - since he already lost to Floyd.

 

[merce77]

Oh and BTW - I told ya'll ninjas Ortiz was nuttier than squirrel shit.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

Ortiz never even defended his title. LOL, you guys are funny. If you think Ortiz derserved the fight and was ready then fine. I guess the odds makers and ever that thought this was a huge mistmatch didn't see the merits to the fight you saw. Like I said. Dude looked great. But it was a fight against a fighter on the a C level at best.

Ortiz did defend his title and lost in his first defense.
Just being outmatched doesn't mean you don't deserve to fight the top fighter in your sport.
As in the other thread, I'll use Anderson Silva in UFC as an example. Most of his opponents are outmatched and heavy underdogs but they won fights to get fight with Silva, they weren't given the fights.

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

I got Ortiz as a B fighter. He'll beat most guys but he's not ready for the elites.

As far as Larry - he's full of SHIT!!! Dude was prolly riding Floyd the whole time in the fighter meetings etc...but we don't get to see all of this and all we hear is Larry's side of the story. I know Larry was talking shit all night about how Morales win wasnj't legit because he was being "given" a title. But he was very quick to suck off Pacman going to 154 and the WBC actually creating a title for a guy who hadn't earned any kind of shot at a 154 belt against a guy who should have been suspended for life. HBO has become Pac's flunkies. I'm sick of hearing guys like Merchant and Kellerman not telling it like it really is in terms of Pac/Floyd. They question why Floyd hasn't fought Pac yet - but they never ask "why won't Manny take the test - maybe he is dirty".

Look - Floyd will destroy Pacquiao - I'm saying it. This fight is never going to happen. Floyd whupping Pacquiao will expose Manny as not being near Floyd's level and it will affect his all time status - something they've very carefully and craftily built. This fight will never happen, mark my words. After Marquez, Pac will fight Ortiz - since he already lost to Floyd.

I thought Mayweather-Pacquiao, if it ever happened, would be competitive but after seeing the new, more aggressive Mayweather coming off a 16 month, tumultous absense, I see him beating Pac badly.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

Oh and BTW - I told ya'll ninjas Ortiz was nuttier than squirrel shit.

You did.

 

[merce77]

Ortiz did defend his title and lost in his first defense.
Just being outmatched doesn't mean you don't deserve to fight the top fighter in your sport.
As in the other thread, I'll use Anderson Silva in UFC as an example. Most of his opponents are outmatched and heavy underdogs but they won fights to get fight with Silva, they weren't given the fights.



I got Ortiz as a B fighter. He'll beat most guys but he's not ready for the elites.







I thought Mayweather-Pacquiao, if it ever happened, would be competitive but after seeing the new, more aggressive Mayweather coming off a 16 month, tumultous absense, I see him beating Pac badly.

Actually, I think that was the OLD Floyd. The one who blasted Manfredy in 2 rounds, took apart Corrales and destroyed Philip N'Dou.

 

[r3d DaWn]

The only thing PBF can beat, is whatever woman he is with.. He is a bitch ass, plain and simple, got skills, hell ya, but he ain't ever going to be looked at the way he wants, cause he is HIS OWN WORST ENEMY!! And again, he is a BITCH ASS, beating on women and shit.. He is the one not wanting to fight Manny, yet he is the best? Give me a fucking break...

 

[merce77]

The only thing PBF can beat, is whatever woman he is with.. He is a bitch ass, plain and simple, got skills, hell ya, but he ain't ever going to be looked at the way he wants, cause he is HIS OWN WORST ENEMY!! And again, he is a BITCH ASS, beating on women and shit.. He is the one not wanting to fight Manny, yet he is the best? Give me a fucking break...

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

Naw. May is top two. It flips flops with me who is best. I mean as a pure boxer. PBF is that dude. I loved how he attacked. It was a thing of beauty. He just did it to a guy I repeatedly said had only a puncher's chance or a PBF getting old shot in hell in beating. PBF looked like nobody in boxing could beat him that night. It is just a shame he did it to a guy that a few fights ago quit and that night had a meltdown and brain fart in 60 seconds. But that was because he was not ready at all. I know that is my opinion. But it has always been my opinion.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

Naw. May is top two. It flips flops with me who is best. I mean as a pure boxer. PBF is that dude. I loved how he attacked. It was a thing of beauty. He just did it to a guy I repeatedly said had only a puncher's chance or a PBF getting old shot in hell in beating. PBF looked like nobody in boxing could beat him that night. It is just a shame he did it to a guy that a few fights ago quit and that night had a meltdown and brain fart in 60 seconds. But that was because he was not ready at all. I know that is my opinion. But it has always been my opinion.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

Naw. May is top two. It flips flops with me who is best. I mean as a pure boxer. PBF is that dude. I loved how he attacked. It was a thing of beauty. He just did it to a guy I repeatedly said had only a puncher's chance or a PBF getting old shot in hell in beating. PBF looked like nobody in boxing could beat him that night. It is just a shame he did it to a guy that a few fights ago quit and that night had a meltdown and brain fart in 60 seconds. But that was because he was not ready at all. I know that is my opinion. But it has always been my opinion.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

over matched yes Ortiz C level no bruh seems like you want to discredit May for that domination Buk...May is just that good....

Naw. May is top two. It flips flops with me who is best. I mean as a pure boxer. PBF is that dude. I loved how he attacked. It was a thing of beauty. He just did it to a guy I repeatedly said had only a puncher's chance or a PBF getting old shot in hell in beating. PBF looked like nobody in boxing could beat him that night. It is just a shame he did it to a guy that a few fights ago quit and that night had a meltdown and brain fart in 60 seconds. But that was because he was not ready at all. I know that is my opinion. But it has always been my opinion.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

You did.

Yeah he did. But stop acting like Ortiz was a worthy opponent. He never was.

 

[merce77]

Yeah he did. But stop acting like Ortiz was a worthy opponent. He never was.

Neither are Khan or Pacquiao, so let's not act like they're Duran or Leonard, they're not. Khan would give him a better technical fight though imo. I will say this though, the only question in my mind is whether or not Manny's style gives Floyd trouble, which is doubtful - other than that Floyd would chop Khan and Pacquiao up badly. One thing I've noticed about Roach fighters is that their footwork and combo punching are very sloppy, both Khan and Manny make major footwork mistakes when throwing combos. In fact I can see multiple knockdowns on top of a bad beating.

 

[tp2001]

Neither are Khan or Pacquiao, so let's not act like they're Duran or Leonard, they're not. Khan would give him a better technical fight though imo. I will say this though, the only question in my mind is whether or not Manny's style gives Floyd trouble, which is doubtful - other than that Floyd would chop Khan and Pacquiao up badly. One thing I've noticed about Roach fighters is that their footwork and combo punching are very sloppy, both Khan and Manny make major footwork mistakes when throwing combos. In fact I can see multiple knockdowns on top of a bad beating.

Not only that, but you see them miss punches badly against all fighters...It was funny seeing how Pac was missing shots against Mosley, and at times against Marg and Cotto. Marquez made him pay repeatedly in those two fights, and if either one of them slips against Floyd, they're committing suicide...

 

[doublejizzle]

Larry Merchant isn't keeping it 100. Let's be real, was it a sucker punch.....maybe, but it was 100 percent legal and Ortiz should have protected himself at all times. Also, that head butt was like the 3rd or 4th time he did it. If anything, I call it chess.

He played dirty, Mayweather acted like they were still going to embrace and shit and then served him

 

[Pipe]

Yeah he did. But stop acting like Ortiz was a worthy opponent. He never was.

How are you saying this? The guy fought Floyd straight up and won maybe one, maybe even two (depending on who's scoring) rounds of their four round fight before getting legally sucker punched...

And... what nobody seems to want to mention... Ortiz was landing the harder shots and Floyd was not running away like he used to (very effectively). He was staying on the ropes a lot more, like Pacquiao does now, because they've gotten older and those legs don't carry them around the ring the same anymore, so Floyd spent a lot of time absorbing hard shots all over his arms, body, and head, from the biggest and strongest guy he's fought to date.

Then, coincidentally, Floyd decided to do something he has NEVER done before in 41 previous fights: He took advantage of a cheap opportunity to end the fight early instead of beating him like a champion, realizing that it could spoil his legacy.

My question is simple: What made Floyd lose his composure and ring control? Those have always been his #1 strength, and everybody has been saying how AWESOME he looked... If that was the case, then what would make him think he needed to end the fight early, and with a cheap shot, no less? He's never done that before, so why would he do that now when fighting such a seemingly "UNWORTHY" opponent?

I would expect erratic behavior from Ortiz, since he's young and fights almost completely with emotion, but Mayweather NEVER loses control, that was part of his legacy.... Why risk that for little 'ol Victor Ortiz if he's not supposed to be on Mayweather's level?

 

[nofrillz]

FUCK Larry Merchant

i don't think another fighter should ever do an interview with him again

this asshole said that he "assulted him?"

"You're getting personally insulted as well as professionally insulted, and I was just trying my best to ask the questions that everybody wanted answered. And suddenly he assaults me that way, and I just, you know, went off."

he dosn't know shit about boxing because there is no such thing as a legal "sucker punch" if you look at the gif playing you can see the ref say fight, they hug, Mayweather says lets go (look at his gloves saying common) then he punches, a sucker punch is when someone is not looking and you run up on them, if you are in a boxing ring you should NEVER drop your grad... Ortiz knows that and he took the defeat like a man, he is still young but if you ask him if the shoe was on the other foot, more then likely he would say he would take those shoots.

Merchant is a "professional" and telling a person that your interviewing that you would kick there ass is the most unprofessional thing I can think of that can come out of an interview, if Merchant was Black, or Hispanic he would have been fired already

 

[merce77]

How are you saying this? The guy fought Floyd straight up and won maybe one, maybe even two (depending on who's scoring) rounds of their four round fight before getting legally sucker punched...

And... what nobody seems to want to mention... Ortiz was landing the harder shots and Floyd was not running away like he used to (very effectively). He was staying on the ropes a lot more, like Pacquiao does now, because they've gotten older and those legs don't carry them around the ring the same anymore, so Floyd spent a lot of time absorbing hard shots all over his arms, body, and head, from the biggest and strongest guy he's fought to date.

Then, coincidentally, Floyd decided to do something he has NEVER done before in 41 previous fights: He took advantage of a cheap opportunity to end the fight early instead of beating him like a champion, realizing that it could spoil his legacy.

My question is simple: What made Floyd lose his composure and ring control? Those have always been his #1 strength, and everybody has been saying how AWESOME he looked... If that was the case, then what would make him think he needed to end the fight early, and with a cheap shot, no less? He's never done that before, so why would he do that now when fighting such a seemingly "UNWORTHY" opponent?

I would expect erratic behavior from Ortiz, since he's young and fights almost completely with emotion, but Mayweather NEVER loses control, that was part of his legacy.... Why risk that for little 'ol Victor Ortiz if he's not supposed to be on Mayweather's level?

You've obviously never fought anyone from Philly or Detroit. If you foul one of those guys it's not a question of IF they will retaliate, but when.

Let's also not forget, Floyd was the promoter here, he gave Victor Ortiz a chance to make a 2.5 mil payday and get more exposure than he could get fighting anyone else outside of Pacquiao. As a former fighter I can tell you the gravity of what Ortiz did, you're head can be a brutal weapon - Ortiz jumped off both feet as if he were going for a soccer ball, luckily Floyd is a master defender and it didn't land flush. What would have happened had it landed somewhere really dangerous like on the orbital bone? Permanent eye damage possibly, and the loss of millions of dollars. All because a young dude you tried to elevate was dirty/crazy enough to pull some shit like that. He deserved both punches since he was trying to use his head all night. And I don't know what fight you saw - Victor won maybe 1 or 2 exchanges, forget rounds. He was on his way to being beaten very badly as his face was already marked up and puffy in the 4th round - and Floyd was just warming up. You're reading way too much into what happened.

 

[Jordan Diddy Buk]

Neither are Khan or Pacquiao, so let's not act like they're Duran or Leonard, they're not. Khan would give him a better technical fight though imo. I will say this though, the only question in my mind is whether or not Manny's style gives Floyd trouble, which is doubtful - other than that Floyd would chop Khan and Pacquiao up badly. One thing I've noticed about Roach fighters is that their footwork and combo punching are very sloppy, both Khan and Manny make major footwork mistakes when throwing combos. In fact I can see multiple knockdowns on top of a bad beating.

LMAO. I agree about Khan. But Manny is no worthy of a fight against PBF.

 

[2211]

Why is it that you guys have an obsession with money fighting khan, why not let manny for FUCKING once fight khan first, not matter who money beats is never gonna be enough.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

Actually, I think that was the OLD Floyd. The one who blasted Manfredy in 2 rounds, took apart Corrales and destroyed Philip N'Dou.

True.

Yeah he did. But stop acting like Ortiz was a worthy opponent. He never was.

Ortiz was worthy in the sense that he earned the fight by winning fights. He was overmatched (for the umpteenth time) but he did what he had to do to earn such a payday, plus it helped that the welterweight division has thinned out so much.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

The only thing PBF can beat, is whatever woman he is with.. He is a bitch ass, plain and simple, got skills, hell ya, but he ain't ever going to be looked at the way he wants, cause he is HIS OWN WORST ENEMY!! And again, he is a BITCH ASS, beating on women and shit.. He is the one not wanting to fight Manny, yet he is the best? Give me a fucking break...

This nigga typed this shit like Floyd slapped his sister.

 

[TJervey]

I've been one of the biggest Floyd 'haters' on here and I lost a few on this fight but sucker punch or not Floyd was within his rihts to do what he did! Ortiz didn't just butt him he aimed his head and jumped into the butt which if he hit Floyd right could have caused serious long lasting damage! Cortez did wave them on and Floyd calculated it perfectly and ended it! I would have done the same thing!

 

[meilmarc]

How are you saying this? The guy fought Floyd straight up and won maybe one, maybe even two (depending on who's scoring) rounds of their four round fight before getting legally sucker punched...

And... what nobody seems to want to mention... Ortiz was landing the harder shots and Floyd was not running away like he used to (very effectively). He was staying on the ropes a lot more, like Pacquiao does now, because they've gotten older and those legs don't carry them around the ring the same anymore, so Floyd spent a lot of time absorbing hard shots all over his arms, body, and head, from the biggest and strongest guy he's fought to date.

Then, coincidentally, Floyd decided to do something he has NEVER done before in 41 previous fights: He took advantage of a cheap opportunity to end the fight early instead of beating him like a champion, realizing that it could spoil his legacy.

My question is simple: What made Floyd lose his composure and ring control? Those have always been his #1 strength, and everybody has been saying how AWESOME he looked... If that was the case, then what would make him think he needed to end the fight early, and with a cheap shot, no less? He's never done that before, so why would he do that now when fighting such a seemingly "UNWORTHY" opponent?

I would expect erratic behavior from Ortiz, since he's young and fights almost completely with emotion, but Mayweather NEVER loses control, that was part of his legacy.... Why risk that for little 'ol Victor Ortiz if he's not supposed to be on Mayweather's level?

I want was this nicca is smoking on lol

 

[Ninja05]

How are you saying this? The guy fought Floyd straight up and won maybe one, maybe even two (depending on who's scoring) rounds of their four round fight before getting legally sucker punched...

And... what nobody seems to want to mention... Ortiz was landing the harder shots and Floyd was not running away like he used to (very effectively). He was staying on the ropes a lot more, like Pacquiao does now, because they've gotten older and those legs don't carry them around the ring the same anymore, so Floyd spent a lot of time absorbing hard shots all over his arms, body, and head, from the biggest and strongest guy he's fought to date.

Then, coincidentally, Floyd decided to do something he has NEVER done before in 41 previous fights: He took advantage of a cheap opportunity to end the fight early instead of beating him like a champion, realizing that it could spoil his legacy.

My question is simple: What made Floyd lose his composure and ring control? Those have always been his #1 strength, and everybody has been saying how AWESOME he looked... If that was the case, then what would make him think he needed to end the fight early, and with a cheap shot, no less? He's never done that before, so why would he do that now when fighting such a seemingly "UNWORTHY" opponent?

I would expect erratic behavior from Ortiz, since he's young and fights almost completely with emotion, but Mayweather NEVER loses control, that was part of his legacy.... Why risk that for little 'ol Victor Ortiz if he's not supposed to be on Mayweather's level?

When did Floyd run away? When was the last time Floyd ran away in a fight? Wasn't marquez, Hatton (grappled), definitely not Mosley, this fight, De La Hoya, maybe baldo when he was punching and moving away. But many times in the De La Hoya fight he was either against the ropes or in the middle of the ring.

And the difference between this fight and Mosley/Gatti is that ole boy went down and stayed down. Call it what you will or may, but Mosley caught the same two piece while trying to talk/tap gloves when time was in.

 

[merce77]

When did Floyd run away? When was the last time Floyd ran away in a fight? Wasn't marquez, Hatton (grappled), definitely not Mosley, this fight, De La Hoya, maybe baldo when he was punching and moving away. But many times in the De La Hoya fight he was either against the ropes or in the middle of the ring.

And the difference between this fight and Mosley/Gatti is that ole boy went down and stayed down. Call it what you will or may, but Mosley caught the same two piece while trying to talk/tap gloves when time was in.

Thank you. Tap gloves once and that's it, no need to keep apologizing and hugging, this is a fight.

 

[fatsack1]

Fuck larry merchant......

Samsung Epic

 

[playahaitian]

Oh and BTW - I told ya'll ninjas Ortiz was nuttier than squirrel shit.

How come EVERYONE is forgetting the damn mental breakdown dude had in the ring talking about"i dont deserve to be hit like this"???????