Was Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s Knockout of Victor Ortiz Legal?

The referee said it was legal. The head of the state gaming commission said it was legal. What’s the problem?

Boxing fans (what there is left of them in this slowing, deteriorating sport) were clamoring Sunday about the controversial end to Saturday night’s Floyd Mayweather–Victor Ortiz bout. The pugilistic world doesn’t seem too fond of the manner in which Mayweather recorded his fourth-round knockout.

The sequence of events was uncomplicated. Clearly trailing and fighting a swollen eye, Ortiz worked Mayweather into a corner and leaned against him. As his head was nestled in Mayweather’s chest, Ortiz gave a quick flip of his head and caught Mayweather in the chin.

Referee Joe Cortez caught the headbutt and broke up the fighters, docking Ortiz a point. Mayweather, incredulous, turned to the crowd and shrugged his shoulders. Ortiz, seemingly feeling guilty about his move, went to embrace or touch gloves with Mayweather — four times.

On the fourth try, a still-ticked Mayweather wasn’t interested in being lovey-dovey. After the referee told the fighters to box on, Ortiz lowered his arms and tried to make peace (or something) with Mayweather again.

Hugging wasn’t in the program for Mayweather, who caught Ortiz with a left, then a right, and Ortiz went down in a heap.

The public’s ire has directed toward Mayweather for throwing the combo when Ortiz had dropped his gloves, Ortiz for letting down his guard and Cortez for not sending the fighters to neutral corners after the headbutt.

Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Gaming Commission, tried to defuse the controversy by declaring the punches perfectly and utterly legal.

“Joe pointed to the timekeeper and said, ‘Time in,'” Kizer said. “At that point, the fight is back on and they’re free to punch each other. Joe had them separated, but Victor went to hug [Mayweather] four separate times. … Floyd Mayweather threw a perfectly legal punch. I have no idea why Victor kept trying to hug him or embrace him. I guess he was feeling guilty because of the headbutt, but hey, you’re in a fight. Fight and then feel guilty later.”

Nice try, Keith, but this is boxing. Controversy is like a drug to this sport.

Perhaps anticipating a backlash, Mayweather lashed out against HBO commentator Larry Merchant for having the temerity to imply the undefeated 34-year-old welterweight controlled the bout. Yes, that was the question that set off Mayweather.

Mayweather will continue to feel heat, not so much because the perceived cheap shot altered the fight — Ortiz was already on fumes — but because it’s more evidence that with “Money” Mayweather, it’s never simply about a boxing match. There are always some extracurricular matters to attend to.

What do you think of Floyd Mayweather’s knockout of Victor Ortiz?