When Dana White ripped HBO Boxing’s Larry Merchant for ’50 years younger’ remark to Floyd Mayweather after Victor Ortiz fight controversy

UFC CEO Dana White shared his view on the beef between veteran journalist Larry Merchant and Floyd Mayweather.

When Dana White ripped HBO Boxing’s Larry Merchant for ’50 years younger’ remark to Floyd Mayweather after Victor Ortiz fight controversy

Dana White, Larry Merchant, and Floyd Mayweather (image credit- IMAGO, YouTube)

Floyd Mayweather very rarely loses his cool outside the ring, especially when dealing with non-boxers. However, this isn’t the case with veteran journalist Larry Merchant, who has been involved in several beefs with many boxers, including Mayweather. Furthermore, the reason Mayweather has issues with Merchant is because the journalist won’t give Mayweather the credit he deserves.

Similarly, even UFC CEO Dana White once spoke about this particular incident after Merchant and Mayweather clashed verbally. After a 2017 fight, Mayweather emerged victorious from a fourth-round KO of Victor Ortiz, which was Mayweather’s 42nd career victory.

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The win was seen as a controversial decision by many, but it was the post-match interview that became the highlight. Merchant, a longtime commentator for HBO, proceeded to interview Mayweather, and Merchant began to attack Mayweather for his controversial strike. After a brief conversation, Floyd Mayweather had enough and fired back at Merchant, stating that he should be fired. Subsequently, Merchant responded by yelling:

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I wish I was 50 years younger than I could kick you ass!
Larry Merchant in response to Floyd Mayweather

The fight between Mayweather and Ortiz was explosive, and in the fourth round, Ortiz cornered Mayweather. Furthermore, Mayweather remained in his defensive stance while Ortiz unleashed a barrage of punches. Ortiz then jumped off his feet and headbutted Mayweather, after which both fighters embraced momentarily before starting.

Subsequently, before Ortiz was properly ready, Mayweather landed a significant shot, which ended the fight. In addition, this was the main point that Merchant brought up and hurled towards Mayweather during the interview.

Dana White talks about Larry Merchant


The fight between Ortiz and Mayweather was heated, considering Ortiz headbutted Mayweather after claiming that Mayweather kept hitting him with his elbow. Subsequently, it ended with an abrupt shot that caught Ortiz off guard and was deemed controversial. Mayweather claimed that they touched gloves and that fighters should always protect themselves in the ring.

Dana White and Larry Merchant, Floyd Mayweather, Victor Ortiz
Dana White and Larry Merchant (image credit- Marca, People)


However, Merchant did not agree and proceeded to attack Mayweather and question him about it. This led to both of them yelling at each other at the end of the post-fight interview. While speaking about the incident, UFC CEO White shared his thoughts on the matter. White stated that Mayweather was conducting himself like a professional while Merchant was berating him.

Furthermore, White stated:

He's up there berating Floyd, but Floyd can't say anything back to you? You've been disrespecting guys your whole career, and guess what? You can go back 60 years; you're not kicking Floyd's a*s, okay?”
Dana White in defense of Floyd Mayweather
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Subsequently, White defended Mayweather and stated that Merchant was an embarrassment to HBO. In addition, White highlighted how Merchant’s remarks about being 50 years younger proved absolutely nothing.


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