• Boxing

Mayweather tells Ortiz: 'S**t happens'

Victor Ortiz surrendered the WBC crown to Floyd Mayweather Jnr © Getty Images

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Floyd Mayweather Jnr slapped down suggestions he defeated Victor Ortiz with a cheap shot in their WBC welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Ortiz was penalised a point in the fourth round for catching Mayweather with a headbutt and, when the fighters were told to resume fighting following the referee's intervention, Mayweather brought an end to proceedings with two fearsome blows.

When the decisive punches were delivered, Ortiz appeared to be looking at the referee and not Mayweather, causing the crowd to react furiously to the ending.

But Mayweather was adamant he did nothing wrong. "This was another unbelievable performance," he said. "A lot of people want to know what happened. There were a couple of headbutts. S**t happens in the sport of boxing. Protect yourself at all times.

"Once you touch gloves, it is go time. We came together to fight. You want to do me dirty and then two minutes later want to be my friend? This is the hurting business."

Meanwhile, a frustrated Ortiz claimed he did not mean to use his head. "I was called to break by the referee. I obeyed, I looked at the ref and 'boom' - I was out," he said. "It looked like I butted him (Mayweather) intentionally. I apologised to him, I'm not a dirty fighter. He came forward really fast, I wasn't expecting that, my head was in his face and I was like, oh, oops.

"You can look at it two ways. I came out here to show the fans a good time and as far as I'm concerned I think they did have a good time, apart from that little miscommunication by the ref. But hey it happens. I'm not perfect, no-one is and neither is the ref. I have no-one to blame for it - it's a learning experience."

Ugly scenes ensued after the fight as Mayweather insulted celebrated interviewer Larry Merchant. "You don't never give me a fair shake," Mayweather said. "So I'm gonna let you talk to Victor Ortiz, alright? I'm through. Put somebody else up here to give me an interview.

"HBO need to fire you because you don't know (expletive) about boxing. You ain't (expletive)."

After Mayweather's comments, the 80-year-old commentator said: "I wish I was 50 years younger and I would kick your ass."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.