Ortiz has the size, youth and power to beat Mayweather

Starting quickly will be a necessity for Victor Ortiz if he is to have any chance of retaining his WBC welterweight title against Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather is still unbeaten after 42 professional fights and many believe that he is a certain victor at 1/8 to beat Ortiz.

A victory would certainly keep him in ring shape as the discussions continue over a mega-money showdown next year with Manny Pacquiao.

However, a Mayweather success may not be the big banker that most boxing fans are predicting, particular if the reigning champion is fast out of the blocks.

Mayweather tends to box fairly conservatively in the early rounds in order to size up his opponent and look for any weaknesses, but this has almost resulted in his unbeaten record being breached in the past.

Shane Mosley and Ricky Hatton have both posed early problems in recent years despite Mayweather’s impressive defence and there is no reason that Ortiz cannot do the same.

Ortiz also has a major size advantage over Mayweather and showed solid punching power when winning his current belt from Andre Berto.

Throw in that Mayweather has not always produced his best against southpaws in the past and Ortiz can catch him on the back foot.

Zab Judah and DeMarcus Corley both landed some telling shots on Mayweather and Ortiz can do the same, although the fight could offer the perfect preparation for the also left-handed Pacquiao.

Ortiz’ younger years and the fact that he has been in the ring on a far more regular basis in recent years could additionally work in his favour.

It is 9/2 in the boxing odds that the 24-year-old triumphs, but it is almost a given that Ortiz will have to stop Mayweather if he realistically wants to defend his title.

Therefore, the best bet for Ortiz fans is clearly the 7/1 that he secures victory by knockout.