MAYWEATHER - ORTIZ - CORTEZ - MERCHANT! ( SPOILER)

[jamesmcdonnell]

When EXACTLY?

You see I don't believe you, in fact I'm betting Time Warner wouldn't let him on air and would revoke his contract quicke than you can say 'Bobby Cyz'.

Libel.

Who cares if you believe me or not. I was at the MGM in 2004, when I was covering Pacman v Marquez I (that was 2004 as I remember), I was having a piss, not sure if it was before or after the bout, and Larry came in for a slash, and to my eyes, he looked pretty sozzled.

He always sounds a bit loaded.

I doubt Time Warner breathalise the old duffer before each gig, as long as he can carry out his duties, they probably dont give a fiddlers fart if he is drunk or not. Christ, do you think that TV presenters dont do their job a bit loaded sometimes, there's a long history of alcoholic newsreaders, newscasters, reporters, journalists etc.

Whether he is drunken or not, he sounds pissed when he does his long, slurring, rambling and frankly tedious interviews.

Do you know what James? BULLSHIT and here's why....'


HBO telcest can last up to three hours and Merchant never leaves ringside.
So If he was ever drunk he would be well sober up by the final interview.
Face it mate you and anyone else who says that the old geezer is drunk is talking out of there badly informed asses.

He's just an old man who's voice is getting slower with age.

It's bullshit like this that drags down decent posts.

Frankly, I dont give a toss whether he is drunk or not, he irritates me, his interviews are so goddam slow, and his prickly baiting style is annoying. If he wasn't so prickly, people wouldn't blow up at him.

[LION KING1]

Who cares if you believe me or not. I was at the MGM in 2004, when I was covering Pacman v Marquez I (that was 2004 as I remember), I was having a piss, not sure if it was before or after the bout, and Larry came in for a slash, and to my eyes, he looked pretty sozzled.

He always sounds a bit loaded.

I doubt Time Warner breathalise the old duffer before each gig, as long as he can carry out his duties, they probably dont give a fiddlers fart if he is drunk or not. Christ, do you think that TV presenters dont do their job a bit loaded sometimes, there's a long history of alcoholic newsreaders, newscasters, reporters, journalists etc.

Whether he is drunken or not, he sounds pissed when he does his long, slurring, rambling and frankly tedious interviews.

Do you know what James? BULLSHIT and here's why....'


HBO telcest can last up to three hours and Merchant never leaves ringside.
So If he was ever drunk he would be well sober up by the final interview.
Face it mate you and anyone else who says that the old geezer is drunk is talking out of there badly informed asses.

He's just an old man who's voice is getting slower with age.

It's bullshit like this that drags down decent posts.

Frankly, I dont give a toss whether he is drunk or not, he irritates me, his interviews are so goddam slow, and his prickly baiting style is annoying. If he wasn't so prickly, people wouldn't blow up at him.

What you said.

But I would like to add a few more words.

THE MAN IS A DRUNKEND SLOTH.

[Carbo]

Merchant is a drunken old fool.

Source? or is it the fact that he's in his 80's?

]

I saw him in the pissers at the MGM grand before, and he was pissed.

I don't get this. A man's not allowed a drink?

I really don't think that Merchant would have the reputation he does for professionalism and being a team player.

Which of us hasn't had a drink ever? I was drunk on Friday night, but I'd hardly call myself "a drunk".

[LION KING1]

Carbo.

Did MERCHANT push Ortiz re: the headbutt? Yes or no?

Answers on a postcard!

[jamesmcdonnell]

Source? or is it the fact that he's in his 80's?

]

I saw him in the pissers at the MGM grand before, and he was pissed.

I don't get this. A man's not allowed a drink?

I really don't think that Merchant would have the reputation he does for professionalism and being a team player.

Which of us hasn't had a drink ever? I was drunk on Friday night, but I'd hardly call myself "a drunk".

Mate, I'm a right old pisshead myself, I'm not being Moral about it, I just find his style abrasive if I'm honest.

[LION KING1]

Carbo.

Did MERCHANT push Ortiz re: the headbutt? Yes or no?

Answers on a postcard addresses to

Mr J Saxon
The Dungeon.

[MightyWarrior]

Dumb by Ortiz, cheap shot by Floyd, but to be expected, you could no more blame a scorpion for taking a free shot - it's the nature of the beast.
Merchant...well his ego is 2nd only to Floyd's, but he was right to call him on the cheap shots - the crowd seemed to agree.

Cortez is a grandstanding knob, he thinks he's the star of the show, all that bollocks in the dressing rooms before hand ( Look at me everyone! Look at me!! ) Someone needs to retire the doddering old fool.

[LION KING1]

Boxing is mental and physical.

Ortiz grinning like a fcuking cheshire cat being interviewed told e he was just happy to be there.

Floyd kept it composed mentally and physically hence he is THE NEW!

Larry Merchant is a drunk.

Cortez needs to retire, I swear he was snoring at one stage!

Ortiz smiled for the camera.

Floyd executed.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Dumb by Ortiz, cheap shot by Floyd, but to be expected, you could no more blame a scorpion for taking a free shot - it's the nature of the beast.
Merchant...well his ego is 2nd only to Floyd's, but he was right to call him on the cheap shots - the crowd seemed to agree.

Cortez is a grandstanding knob, he thinks he's the star of the show, all that bollocks in the dressing rooms before hand ( Look at me everyone! Look at me!! ) Someone needs to retire the doddering old fool.

More to the point, his refereeing is becoming very poor. He spoils fights with his mistakes and oversights.

It's time for fresh blood. Some of these referees are allowed to go on far too long. Sure, he's experienced, but then if so, why is he making so many mistakes?

[LION KING1]

Dumb by Ortiz, cheap shot by Floyd, but to be expected, you could no more blame a scorpion for taking a free shot - it's the nature of the beast.
Merchant...well his ego is 2nd only to Floyd's, but he was right to call him on the cheap shots - the crowd seemed to agree.

Cortez is a grandstanding knob, he thinks he's the star of the show, all that bollocks in the dressing rooms before hand ( Look at me everyone! Look at me!! ) Someone needs to retire the doddering old fool.

More to the point, his refereeing is becoming very poor. He spoils fights with his mistakes and oversights.

It's time for fresh blood. Some of these referees are allowed to go on far too long. Sure, he's experienced, but then if so, why is he making so many mistakes?

An oap in a motorised cart would have done a better job last night.

The 2 biggest egos in the ring last night

1) Cortez
2) Merchant the pisshead.

Floyd is the best fighter in the world so ego is expected.

[Carbo]

Merchant is a drunken old fool. He just kept chipping away until Mayweather blew - he knew what he was doing there.

Woah, there. You say Merchant "just kept chipping away", but watch the interview. First question, answered with "I'd like to thank God...." Second question, "I'd like to thank everyone for buying PPV." Third and fourth questions answered with the same line, "defend yourself at all times."

So he has two choices, let Mayweather (or anyone else he interviews) get away with that, or pull them on it and try to force a proper answer. Some people think the latter is "prickly" or "abrasive" or "confrontational", and I can understand that, to a certain degree; however, for me, true journalistic integrity demands the latter course, and it takes far more bravery to plot and follow. I, for one, am happy Merchant follows that.

But whichever one prefers, and whether you like Merchant or not, you can't say he kept chipping away when Mayweather wasn't really answering the questions.

AND IF SOMEONE DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION YOU TELL THEM YOU WOULD KICK THEIR ASS IF YOU WERE 50 YEARS YOUNGER.

Again, you're making things up. Merchant said that after being told he was biased (the worst insult you can level at a journalist) being told he should be fired, being told he wasn't shit, and being told he knew nothing about a sport he's covered for 32 years for HBO, seeing near 700 fights live, and wrote about for newspapers for decades before that. After all that, and after that several times, by someone being very aggressive, he said that he wished he was 50 years younger, etc.

So, if you want, you can invert the order of events to suit your purposes, but it does nothing for your argument.

[Tomasino]

Merchant is a drunken old fool. He just kept chipping away until Mayweather blew - he knew what he was doing there. Mayweather was totally within his rights, it's not his fault if Ortiz hasn't the sense to protect himself. He was stood gazing at the referee after the bout had resumed, tough shite if he gets knocked out.

The headbut was flagrant, and Ortiz is a punk. If you are going to blatantly headbutt someone, don't go trying to cuddle them afterwards, it's pathetic.

Mayweather was all business, which is what he is meant to do inside the ring.

Agree 100%. I also thought the finishing combo was spot on. Merchant did give Ortiz an easy time in the post fight interview, that headbut was as blatant as they come and stupid. Cortez waved them together and all Victor wanted was a kiss and a cuddle. He got what he deserved. Floyd capitalises on openings hence the KO. I thought it was shaping up to be an entertaining fight.

[LION KING1]

Woah, there. You say Merchant "just kept chipping away", but watch the interview. First question, answered with "I'd like to thank God...." Second question, "I'd like to thank everyone for buying PPV." Third and fourth questions answered with the same line, "defend yourself at all times."

So he has two choices, let Mayweather (or anyone else he interviews) get away with that, or pull them on it and try to force a proper answer. Some people think the latter is "prickly" or "abrasive" or "confrontational", and I can understand that, to a certain degree; however, for me, true journalistic integrity demands the latter course, and it takes far more bravery to plot and follow. I, for one, am happy Merchant follows that.

But whichever one prefers, and whether you like Merchant or not, you can't say he kept chipping away when Mayweather wasn't really answering the questions.

AND IF SOMEONE DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION YOU TELL THEM YOU WOULD KICK THEIR ASS IF YOU WERE 50 YEARS YOUNGER.

Again, you're making things up. Merchant said that after being told he was biased (the worst insult you can level at a journalist) being told he should be fired, being told he wasn't shit, and being told he knew nothing about a sport he's covered for 32 years for HBO, seeing near 700 fights live, and wrote about for newspapers for decades before that. After all that, and after that several times, by someone being very aggressive, he said that he wished he was 50 years younger, etc.

So, if you want, you can invert the order of events to suit your purposes, but it does nothing for your argument.

I answered the bolded commentsd above.

Either way it is unprofessional of a professional interviewer to react the way he did.

They should put the old prick in the knackers yatrd, he is out of control.

Look ate Jim Grey being ripped apart by James Toney, have a look on youtube. Thats how you react and JT was much worse!

Merchant is a piss head!

[Carbo]

Carbo.

Did MERCHANT push Ortiz re: the headbutt? Yes or no?

Answers on a postcard addresses to

Mr J Saxon
The Dungeon.

Merchant: You describe what happened at the end of the fight. Was it your fault for not protecting yourself at all times?
Ortiz: No-no-no. Absolutely not. I was called to break by the referee, so I obeyed exactly as I was told. I looked at the ref, I looked up, and boom I was out. So, um, you know: it happens.
Merchant: First let's show earlier in the round, when you had him on the ropes, and you butted him. Was that some reflex action, or...
Ortiz: I was going back, I was going back and he pushed me a little bit so I went back and [inaudible] caught him a little bit. It looked like I was doing it intentional. You know it happens. But I even apologised to him. I'm very sorry for that, I'm not a dirty fighter.
Merchant: So you're saying you were just trying to jump on him and your head collided?
Ortiz: He came forward really fast. I wasn't expecting that, and my head was in face, so I was, like, 'oh! whoops!' So, as far as I'm concerned, you know, I'm sorry for that, but...
Merchant: [Interrupting] Why are you... you seem apologetic. You got together, what did you say to eachother?
Ortiz: I said, 'Floyd, I didn't mean to do that, bro. My bad, man, and... er... my bad, let's do this [inaudible].
Merchant: Do you think that [the knockout, which they are now watching] was unfair or... because you had a plan to get deep into the fight, or is it 'your bad'?
Ortiz: You know, you can look at it two ways. At the end of the day, I came out here to show the fans a good time, and, ahm, as far as I'm concerned, they did have a good time, except for, you know, a little miscommunication there by the ref. But, hey, it happens, you know. I'm not perfect; noone is, and neither is the ref, so I don't want to blame him for it. It's a learning experience.
Merchant: Thank you very much, Victor. Jim.

See how that works? Merchant asks, was it your fault for not protecting yourself, Ortiz answers. Merchant asks questions, Ortiz answers them.

Compare them to this:

Merchant: You hear the crowd [audible and loud booing]. At least a good part of it is in an uproar because they felt that 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?
Floyd: First of all, I want to thank God for this victory, because without God this wouldn't be possible. [Booing gets louder] I wanna thank my team. Um, I got hit with a dirty shot and, um, it's protect yourself at all times, um, I hit him with a left hook right hand and that ended the bout.
Merchant: So you're saying that although it appeared that he wasn't protecting himself, and thought that was part of the ceremony that you were going through of apology, and that you unfairly took advantage of it, what do you say to those who say that, 'what'dya do there? you were winning the fight and in charge.'
Floyd: I just wanna say thanks to all those who bought pay per view and came out here to Las Vegas, and...
Merchant: [interrupting] Wait, wait... we know you're a promoter, but now let's talk to you as a prize fighter. Let's take a look at what happened at the end of the fight, and you describe it...
Floyd: [Interrupting] OK, let's look at it... we touched, we touched gloves, we back to fighting, hook, right hand and that's all she wrote.
Merchant: So, for you, it was just an automatic response, 'let's get on with the fight'?
Floyd: it's protect yourself at all times. He done something dirty. We not here to cry or complain about what he did dirty and what I did. I was victorious, so if he wanna rematch, he can get a rematch.
Merchant: You were in charge of the fight, you were aggressive and taking advantage of what you saw as...
Floyd: You don't know what I do because..... [FROM HERE IS WHERE IT ALL KICKS OFF]

So, I really don't see what Merchant did wrong except ask some rambling, poorly constructed questions to Floyd. Really. How did he keep niggling him until he blew up?

I don't get what Merchant did so very wrong.

[LION KING1]

YOU MISSED THIS BIT!!! HE ACTUALLY SAID

Merchant: BUT Why are you apologis ( HE STOPS from saying apologising BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE SOUNDS BIASED AND CARRIES ON WITH ). you seem apologetic. You got together, what did you say to eachother?
.

Merchant is a tool!

Floyds words should not provoke a threat of violence from the interviewer.

Lsten again he says 'but why are you apologi......He corrects himself! The guys is a hater and a drunk

Listen again and tell me if I am wrong.

[LION KING1]

Did you listen again, carbo?

YOU MUST AGREE!

Merchant said , but why are you apologi.....He meant to say why are you apologising!

THE BIASED WHISKY DRNKING PRICK.

[Carbo]

YOU MISSED THIS BIT!!! HE ACTUALLY SAID

Merchant: BUT Why are you apologis ( HE STOPS from saying apologising BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE SOUNDS BIASED AND CARRIES ON WITH ). you seem apologetic. You got together, what did you say to eachother?
.

Merchant is a tool!

Floyds words should not provoke a threat of violence from the interviewer.

Lsten again he says 'but why are you apologi......He corrects himself! The guys is a hater and a drunk

Listen again and tell me if I am wrong.

I didn't miss it. I included it. Read again.

It's pretty clear to me that he was getting frustrated with all the apologising -- as I was. Ortiz is meant to be a prize fighter. Same with all that nice-guy stuff in the Pacquiao Mosley match. I'm all for gentlemanly stuff, but it goes too far, sometimes.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Carbo.

Did MERCHANT push Ortiz re: the headbutt? Yes or no?

Answers on a postcard addresses to

Mr J Saxon
The Dungeon.

Merchant: You describe what happened at the end of the fight. Was it your fault for not protecting yourself at all times?
Ortiz: No-no-no. Absolutely not. I was called to break by the referee, so I obeyed exactly as I was told. I looked at the ref, I looked up, and boom I was out. So, um, you know: it happens.
Merchant: First let's show earlier in the round, when you had him on the ropes, and you butted him. Was that some reflex action, or...
Ortiz: I was going back, I was going back and he pushed me a little bit so I went back and [inaudible] caught him a little bit. It looked like I was doing it intentional. You know it happens. But I even apologised to him. I'm very sorry for that, I'm not a dirty fighter.
Merchant: So you're saying you were just trying to jump on him and your head collided?
Ortiz: He came forward really fast. I wasn't expecting that, and my head was in face, so I was, like, 'oh! whoops!' So, as far as I'm concerned, you know, I'm sorry for that, but...
Merchant: [Interrupting] Why are you... you seem apologetic. You got together, what did you say to eachother?
Ortiz: I said, 'Floyd, I didn't mean to do that, bro. My bad, man, and... er... my bad, let's do this [inaudible].
Merchant: Do you think that [the knockout, which they are now watching] was unfair or... because you had a plan to get deep into the fight, or is it 'your bad'?
Ortiz: You know, you can look at it two ways. At the end of the day, I came out here to show the fans a good time, and, ahm, as far as I'm concerned, they did have a good time, except for, you know, a little miscommunication there by the ref. But, hey, it happens, you know. I'm not perfect; noone is, and neither is the ref, so I don't want to blame him for it. It's a learning experience.
Merchant: Thank you very much, Victor. Jim.

See how that works? Merchant asks, was it your fault for not protecting yourself, Ortiz answers. Merchant asks questions, Ortiz answers them.

Compare them to this:

Merchant: You hear the crowd [audible and loud booing]. At least a good part of it is in an uproar because they felt that 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?
Floyd: First of all, I want to thank God for this victory, because without God this wouldn't be possible. [Booing gets louder] I wanna thank my team. Um, I got hit with a dirty shot and, um, it's protect yourself at all times, um, I hit him with a left hook right hand and that ended the bout.
Merchant: So you're saying that although it appeared that he wasn't protecting himself, and thought that was part of the ceremony that you were going through of apology, and that you unfairly took advantage of it, what do you say to those who say that, 'what'dya do there? you were winning the fight and in charge.'
Floyd: I just wanna say thanks to all those who bought pay per view and came out here to Las Vegas, and...
Merchant: [interrupting] Wait, wait... we know you're a promoter, but now let's talk to you as a prize fighter. Let's take a look at what happened at the end of the fight, and you describe it...
Floyd: [Interrupting] OK, let's look at it... we touched, we touched gloves, we back to fighting, hook, right hand and that's all she wrote.
Merchant: So, for you, it was just an automatic response, 'let's get on with the fight'?
Floyd: it's protect yourself at all times. He done something dirty. We not here to cry or complain about what he did dirty and what I did. I was victorious, so if he wanna rematch, he can get a rematch.
Merchant: You were in charge of the fight, you were aggressive and taking advantage of what you saw as...
Floyd: You don't know what I do because..... [FROM HERE IS WHERE IT ALL KICKS OFF]

So, I really don't see what Merchant did wrong except ask some rambling, poorly constructed questions to Floyd. Really. How did he keep niggling him until he blew up?

I don't get what Merchant did so very wrong.

There is a clear difference between the two sets.


In the first merchant asks questions, in the second he makes statements....for instance

[LION KING1]

[quote="Carbo"]
Merchant: [Interrupting] Why are you... you seem apologetic. You got together, what did you say to eachother?



You wrote the above!

What was actually said was.

'BUT why are you apologi...( he stop from saying but wht are you apologising and carries on with!) you seem apologetic!


The word BUT and APOLOGI changes the whole sentence.

Biased.

[Carbo]

There is a clear difference between the two sets.


In the first merchant asks questions, in the second he makes statements....for instance

James, in the second one you highlighted, it's pretty clear that Merchant was asking him about the rest of the fight. I think the word at the end I couldn't make out was 'flaws', but I didn't want to include it because I couldn't be sure. He was saying you fought an aggressive, attacking fight. But Mayweather lost it. He only asked two questions about the ending, one of which was asking Floyd to watch the replay and describe it.

Meantime, you're being extremely harsh saying there's a big difference between the two. There are statements in the Ortiz one, too, such as, "you had him on the ropes and butted him."

At the end of the day, Merchant wasn't doing anything that justified Floyd going off at the deep end.

[jamesmcdonnell]

There is a clear difference between the two sets.


In the first merchant asks questions, in the second he makes statements....for instance

James, in the second one you highlighted, it's pretty clear that Merchant was asking him about the rest of the fight. I think the word at the end I couldn't make out was 'flaws', but I didn't want to include it because I couldn't be sure. He was saying you fought an aggressive, attacking fight. But Mayweather lost it. He only asked two questions about the ending, one of which was asking Floyd to watch the replay and describe it.

Meantime, you're being extremely harsh saying there's a big difference between the two. There are statements in the Ortiz one, too, such as, "you had him on the ropes and butted him."

At the end of the day, Merchant wasn't doing anything that justified Floyd going off at the deep end.

Well merchant could hardly avoid mentioning the butt could he, the difference is he didn't say 'that was clearly a deliberate butt.'

With Mayweather, he seemed to be gunning for him, off the bat, by stating he thought he took advantage of Ortiz apologising.

It's a subtle difference, but there is definitely a bias in evidence in the interview technique.

[ALI]

I had an argument with a mate earlier who brought up the ol'bullshit that I can't be doing with, you know comparing fighters from different eras and that, he said "I reckon that Mayweather fella would have beaten a prime Chavez or a prime Duran" I'm just like "nah mate he may well have the skills but he'd never have stepped into the ring with either of them at their prime, he'd have waited till they were mid 30's and make them wear a ball and chain" he just replies "nah you're a hater"

Spot on.

Leonard would have wiped the floor with Mayweather, but we all know Floyd would never have had the balls to fight him!

Victor Ortiz, give me a break, just another in a long succession of hand picked oponents. All good fighters, but never the 'one' he should have been fighting at that exact specific time!

[Trojans44]

What a load of shite this thread is. Boxers are becoming worse than politicians for not answering questions. Merchant did nothing wrong, what's he supposed to do, not ask that question and press for a proper answer? Look up 'journalist' on Wikipedia.

Jim to call a man 80 still at the top of his profession a drunk. Because you claim you once saw him look drunk 7 years ago in a toilet is idiotic. And libelous.

Mods what does it take for the retarded troll that is lion king to get banned? I come on here for the high quality debate. Not ranting, abusive fanboys.

[Power100]

Mods what does it take for the retarded troll that is lion king to get banned?

I agree with that.

[Jon Saxon]

Mods what does it take for the retarded troll that is lion king to get banned?

I agree with that.

x2