Mayweather vs Ortiz: Larry Merchant Rebukes Champ for 'Sucker Punch'

By Christine Thomasos, Christian Post Reporter Monday, September 19, 2011

Although the knockout made by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on Saturday was a popular topic of conversation, his interview with Larry Merchant following the bout made an equal amount of headlines.

What ended in threats and a shouting match between the 80-year-old interviewer and 34-year-old welter weight champion started with Merchant’s seeming disapproval of Mayweather’s knockout punch.

“You took shots at him unfairly after you went together in the ring, made up for the head butt and then you poked him,” Merchant told Mayweather. “What’s your story?

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Mayweather, seemingly unfazed by Merchant suggesting that his style of fighting was unethical began the interview by thanking God.

“First off I want to thank God for this victory because without God all of this would not be possible,” Mayweather said during the pay per view interview. “I want to thank my team. I got hit with a dirty shot. And it’s protect yourself at all times. I hit him with a left hook right hand and that was the end of the bout.”

However, Merchant did not seem satisfied with Mayweather’s response and would not change his line of questioning surrounding what some are calling the fighter’s “sucker punch.”

“So you’re saying that even though it appeared that he wasn't protecting himself and thought that was part of the ceremony that you were going through of apology that you unfairly took advantage of it,” Merchant asked. “What do you say to those that say ‘what'd you do there? You were winning the fight and in charge’."

Mayweather decided to remain positive despite the line of questioning.

“I just want to say to everybody that bought pay preview that came out to Los Vegas, Thank you,” he said in response.

Still not satisfied, Merchant told Mayweather to stop acting as a promoter and ran a video clip of the match asking the fighter to explain what took place.

“It’s protect yourself at all times. He does something dirty, we're not here to cry and complain about what he did dirty what i did dirty,” Mayweather said, seemingly getting annoyed with the commentator. “I was victorious, if he wants a rematch he can get a rematch."

Although the last part of the interview resulted in the two men shouting obscenities at one another after Mayweather accused Merchant of treating him unfairly, the welter weight champion maintained that he had no qualms about his latest win or the way it came about on Saturday night.