Ortiz Mayweather Sucker Punch Controversy Leads to Larry Merchant Altercation

By CP News Briefs, Monday, September 19, 2011

Following the controversial "sucker punch" knock out by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on Saturday over Victor Ortiz, interviewer Larry Merchant confronted the fighter over his apparent unsportsmanlike behavior.

The 80-year-old interviewer asked the welterweight champion: “You took shots at him unfairly after you went together in the ring, made up for the head butt and then you poked him. What’s your story?”

Mayweather initially ignored the question and instead began his answer 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 continued to ask about 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 responded again by avoiding the question: “I just want to say to everybody that bought pay preview that came out to Los Vegas, Thank you.”

Dissatisfied, Merchant then demanded Mayweather stop acting like a promoter and explain what took place.

Mayweather finally answered: “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. I was victorious, if he wants a rematch he can get a rematch."

Mayweather went on to accuse Merchant of treating him unfairly.