Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz kicked their September 17th Las Vegas fight off with a press conference in New York Tuesday. It was one of Mayweather’s first times truly facing the public and media since his fight with Shane Mosley last year.
Floyd tried to play the good guy role, praising the fight’s promoters, his opponent, and nearly everyone you could think of. He also laid the b.s. on pretty thick, claiming he wanted to have another 10 fights. At the pace he goes, he’d be in competition with Evander Holyfield, but hey, who are we to ruin his dreams?
Floyd obviously can’t face the media without hearing questions about Manny Pacquiao, and he received them on Tuesday. “Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely. I can’t overlook Victor Ortiz. He’s the world champion,” Mayweather added. “Floyd Mayweather don’t duck or dodge anyone. I want to thank Victor Ortiz for stepping up to the plate, and taking the test.”
Floyd was referring to the extra drug testing he wants all his fights to include to ensure the boxers are not cheating by using performance-enhancing drugs. Ortiz has agreed to the additional testing, something that became a source of the impasse in negotiations between him and Pacquiao.
We recognize fans and media members want to see Floyd fight Pacquiao, and it looks like that will be revisited after September. One thing to keep in mind is that unlike the past three fights for Manny or last few for Floyd, this isn’t a guaranteed win. Victor Ortiz is dangerous and will be a tough opponent.
