Joe Cortez speaks on controversial Mayweather/Ortiz fight

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Hall of Fame Referee Joe Cortez said inexperience cost Victor Ortiz the fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr on Saturday night.

Beginning in the 1970s, Cortez started working as a referee. He has refereed over 170 world title bouts, which include the first Oscar De La Hoya-Julio César Chávez meeting. Along with Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe's first title fight, and the match that saw 45-year-old George Foreman become the oldest World Heavyweight Champion in history.

Even after all of those expereinces, Cortez was surprised when he turned around after ringing the bell to see Mayweather earn his 42nd win in as many fights as he hit Ortiz with a two-punch combo as the two were separating from an embrace late in the fourth round.

Just seconds earlier, Ortiz used an illegal headbutt on Mayweather causing Cortez to call time and deduct a point from Ortiz. After Cortez called time, Ortiz approached Mayweather to hug and apologize. Right as they broke, Mayweather drilled Ortiz with a left hook and followed with a right hand that was the difference maker.

Cortez spoke about his dramatic weekend along with many other topics the students wanted to discuss on Tuesday night inside Fowler Hall on Purdue's campus.