Ethically Speaking

Another week in the books in the sports world and life in general. I couldn't help but weigh in with a rant on the Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight that seemingly pitted people on opposite sides of the spectrum with no in between. It should be noted, I am no boxing fan (aside from Tyson fights of yesteryear) and I am not a Mayweather fan or apologist. I keep hearing the word sucker punch being thrown around like pancakes at 9AM in an IHOP. That word is sometimes interchangeable with a lack of sportsmanship displayed when referring to Mayweather. I am not so much concerned with the sportsmanship anyone displays if it's not against the rules. Is it sportsmanship to run a hurry up offense when you know the other team is tired? Wrong to attack an injured part of the body in a contact sport? Wrong to feign injury to get yourself or teammates more recovery time? The answer to those will depend on which side of the line you're on when it happens. The part I am more concerned with is the term sucker punch. Granted, it wasn't the most ideal way I'd pick to end a main event, but it happened. Did anybody forget that Ortiz went street-fighter with an undeniable intentional head butt to Mayweather? Anyone notice that the ref, who said fight and then looked to the scorer's table instead of having the fighters go to neutral corners, escaped any criticism? In any sport where the ref says lets go (or puts the ball in action), it's game on whether you're ready or not. If you get caught slipping, shame on you. In this particular case, any mention of being dirty or sucker punched from Ortiz's camp falls on deaf ears after an intentional head butt followed by a punch. There is also footage (link below) of Ortiz showing what a real sucker punch is when he ILLEGALLY upper cuts his opponent when the ref steps in to break it up. That earned him a DQ. I can't help but think that if the roles were reversed, the public cry towards the mouthy, brash and unapologetic Mayweather would be "You got what he deserved". But since he's atop the mountain and walks away with his record unblemished, he'll once again be the target of non complimentary jabs. Pretty Boy, "Protect, yourself at all times".

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh2Q4HBXJ58BK72Gzk

I did however enjoy this video that shows the post fight interview with the crypt keeper, I mean, Larry Merchant. If you're doing the math at home, that'd make him 30.
(FYI: A couple curse words thrown about)


Speaking of protecting yourself at all times. How would you feel if you were this guy who was just standing and minding his own business? Helluva internship eh??