Mayweather vs Ortiz NY Press-Conference
As the boxing world eagerly anticipates the biggest grossing bout in the history of ‘the sweet science’, fans for the time being will have to settle on the semi-finals leading up to that mega fight.
While Manny Pacquioa has already been scheduled to meet ex-nemesis, and current Lightweight Champion, Juan Manuel Marquez for a third time, this November 12th – the press conference for the other contest was held yesterday at the Manhattan Hudson Theater in NYC.
Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. [41-0, 25KOs] and ‘Viscous’ Victor Ortiz [29-2-2, 22 KOs] made the first stop of their “Star Power” promotional tour announcing their September 17th match-up at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Ballroom.
The 6-time, 5-weight division titlist started:
“I am excited to get back in the ring, because Victor Ortiz is a great challenge for me,” Mayweather stated. “Ortiz is a young, fast, and very strong champion – so this is not going to be easy, but I will prepare myself with the same dedication I have always had for my fights, and show fans around the world that I am the best boxer in the world today!”
Ortiz fresh off his exciting ‘fight-of-the-year’ candidate against Andre Berto on April 16th – both boxers survived 2 knockdowns – where he earned a 12 round unanimous decision and the WBC Welterweight Belt, confidently commented:
“I have always said that I would be the first fighter to beat Floyd Mayweather, and now that I have my chance – and to do it on a weekend that celebrates the independence of the Mexican people – is an amazing blessing for me. I have worked so hard to become a champion and to show the world that I am the best. I am not going to allow anyone to take that from me. I’m confident that I will walk away from this fight with my belt and a new title – the first to defeat Floyd Mayweather!”
In the recent past, Mayweather has been accused by critics of taking on smaller or older, lesser-caliber competition. That cannot be said of the hard hitting 24 years young Ortiz. The ring return of one of boxing’s biggest attractions has many on the edge of their seats as they prepare for the Mayweather-Pacquioa mega-bout in early 2012.
Those in the boxing game speculate that Mayweathr chose Ortiz because, like Pac Man, he is also a southpaw – in preparation for his future Philippine foe. By the time they step into the squared-circle on September 17th, it will have been 16 months since “Money” last performed professionally – that a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision over Sugar Shane Mosely on May 1st 2010.
“Of course I will fight Manny Pacquaio if this is what the fans want” – said Mayweather.
The tour continues tonight at Los Angeles Nokia Theatre 8pm.
