Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. is returning to the ring.
The undefeated six-time world champion announced on his Twitter feed Tuesday he will end a 16-month hiatus when he faces WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 17.
Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) hasn't fought since a unanimous decision over Shane Mosley on May 1, 2010, and has repeatedly declined to accept a bout against WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao - a dream ticket many boxing fans are eager to witness.
Instead, it was Mosley who squared off with Pacquiao in May, losing to the Filipino star in a lopsided 12-round decision.
Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is riding a six-match win streak, most recently defeating Andre Berto in April to claim the WBC crown in a fight many consider the year's best.
"I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there for me; that is Victor Ortiz," Mayweather said in a statement. "At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me.
"Trust me, I will be ready."
The 24-year-old Mexican-American is one of the sport's strongest young fighters.
"I respect Mayweather because he has been a champion for many years and I know he will be ready, but so will I," said Ortiz. "I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon. This is going to be a great fight, but I will remain a world champion for many years to come."
The 34-year-old Mayweather's time away from the ring has been riddled with legal troubles.
He faces felony charges in a domestic argument with his ex-girlfriend and two of their children last year.
And he faces misdemeanor harassment charges accusing him of threatening two homeowner association security guards outside his Las Vegas home. The charges stem from an October dispute over parking with guards in the gated community where the prizefighter lives.
Mayweather also faces a September trial on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from allegations he poked a 21-year-old guard in the face during a separate argument over parking tickets in November.
The venue for the September fight has yet to be determined.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: forbes.com
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Floyd Mayweather to make return against Victor Ortiz -- BBC Sport
United States boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has announced he will end his latest spell in retirement by challenging Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title on 17 September.
"My fans have been waiting long enough," said 34-year-old Mayweather.
The return of unbeaten Mayweather, a five-time world champion, will raise hopes of an ultimate showdown with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.But first he must negotiate his way past Ortiz.
"At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me," added Mayweather.
"Trust me, I will be ready."
American Ortiz, 24, won his title from defending champion Andre Berto in Connecticut in April. He was knocked down twice en route to winning a unanimous decision.
"I respect Mayweather because he has been a champion for many years and I know he will be ready, but so will I," said Ortiz, who has lost twice in 33 fights.
"I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon. This is going to be a great fight, but I will remain a world champion for many years to come."
Mayweather's time away from the ring has been far from without incident.
Unbeaten in 41 fights, Mayweather faces felony charges in a domestic argument with his ex-girlfriend and two of their children last year.
And he faces misdemeanour harassment charges accusing him of threatening two homeowner association security guards outside his Las Vegas home.
The charges stem from an October dispute over parking with guards in the gated community where Mayweather lives.
Mayweather also faces a September trial on a misdemeanour battery charge stemming from allegations he poked a 21-year-old guard in the face during a separate argument over parking tickets in November.
The venue for the September fight has yet to be determined.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Floyd Mayweather Jnr announces Ortiz fight -- ESPN
ESPN.co.uk
Floyd Mayweather Jnr has revealed on Twitter that his long-awaited return to the ring will come against Victor Ortiz on September 17.
Ortiz will put his WBC welterweight title on the line when he faces the American, who has been out of action since outpointing Shane Mosley in May 2010.
Announcing the fight on his Twitter account, Mayweather said: "My fans have been waiting long enough."
While Ortiz is not at Manny Pacquiao's level, the announcement does at least fuel hopes that the sport's pound-for-pound kings may face-off in future, with rumours of Mayweather's retirement now scotched.
Ortiz, who brings a 29-2-2 record with 22 KOs, sent shockwaves through boxing by defeating the previously unbeaten Andre Berto on a unanimous decision in his last fight - despite hitting the canvas twice - to win the WBC belt.
Whether he can trouble the unbeaten Mayweather is debatable - the American can boast some prize scalps, having defeated celebrated names such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Mosley, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, as well as Amir Khan's next opponent, Zab Judah.
Source: espn.co.uk
Floyd Mayweather Jnr has revealed on Twitter that his long-awaited return to the ring will come against Victor Ortiz on September 17.
Ortiz will put his WBC welterweight title on the line when he faces the American, who has been out of action since outpointing Shane Mosley in May 2010.
Announcing the fight on his Twitter account, Mayweather said: "My fans have been waiting long enough."
While Ortiz is not at Manny Pacquiao's level, the announcement does at least fuel hopes that the sport's pound-for-pound kings may face-off in future, with rumours of Mayweather's retirement now scotched.
Ortiz, who brings a 29-2-2 record with 22 KOs, sent shockwaves through boxing by defeating the previously unbeaten Andre Berto on a unanimous decision in his last fight - despite hitting the canvas twice - to win the WBC belt.
Whether he can trouble the unbeaten Mayweather is debatable - the American can boast some prize scalps, having defeated celebrated names such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Mosley, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, as well as Amir Khan's next opponent, Zab Judah.
Source: espn.co.uk
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