By Tim Smith, DAILY NEWS
In the past when Floyd Mayweather Jr. had a press conference to announce his upcoming fight he used the occasion to get under the skin of his opponent.
So there was the expectation that Mayweather would use Tuesday's press conference at the Hudson Theater near Times Square to unnerve WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, whom he will fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sept. 17.
Instead, Mayweather, who hasn't fought in 13 months, was in a more reflective mood. When it was his time to speak to the media and the many fans who packed the theater, Mayweather sounded as if he was delivering a testimonial than the usual fight hype.
Mayweather praised Ortiz and thanked everyone from the members of his team to the guys who sweep the floor in the balcony of the theater. For 15 minutes Mayweather talked about spending more time with his children, being misunderstood and not being given the benefit of the doubt on his many legal woes.
But the only thing that anyone wants to hear from Mayweather is if he will fight Manny Pacquiao, and if so, when is it going to happen? And while everyone is thinking that Ortiz, a young, powerful southpaw who comes straight ahead, is the perfect primer for a Pacquiao match, only Mayweather is certain whether the mega fight everyone wants to see will happen next year.
"Floyd Mayweather doesn't duck or dodge anyone," Mayweather said. "Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely. If that's what the fans want. It takes one step at a time. I can't overlook Victor Ortiz. He's tough and he's earned the chance."
By taking on Ortiz, a 24-year-old with pop in both hands, Mayweather is getting one up on Pacquiao, whose last few opponents have been retreads and has-beens. That point wasn't lost on Mayweather.
"Victor Ortiz is a young, hungry champion that bounced back from a brutal loss," Mayweather said. "Honestly I picked Victor Ortiz for that."
Mayweather wouldn't commit on exactly when he would fight Pacquiao, but at least he's on the record that he wants the fight. And Leonard Ellerbee, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said he doesn't see any obstacles for making the fight. Mayweather acknowledged that Pacquiao had agreed to blood and urine testing for performance-enhancing drugs, but was not on the same page with regard to the protocol that Mayweather wants to use.
Mayweather said he has never said that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs. He said he just wants everyone in boxing and all sports to test for PEDs.
"They have it in baseball, they have it in football, they have it in the Olympics," Mayweather said.
Source: nydailynews.com
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Mayweather multitasks -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
By Steve Carp, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Victor Ortiz in his return to the ring, but on Tuesday he found himself looking into the future -- and a highly anticipated date with Manny Pacquiao.
As the promotion began for his Sept. 17 fight against Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden, Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) wanted to set the record straight -- at least from his perspective -- about where he stands with Pacquiao.
"I never said Manny Pacquiao is cheating," Mayweather said Tuesday from New York, where the two-city promotional tour kicked off. Mayweather and Ortiz will be in Los Angeles today.
"I never discredited Manny Pacquiao. I'm not taking anything away from him. All I said is we should take the (Olympic-style drug) tests. If you want to beat me, I want you to earn it. Just take the test.
"Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely. But it's one step at a time, and I can't overlook Victor Ortiz. He's the world champion."
Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) has the WBC welterweight title,
Mayweather is being sued by Pacquiao for defamation after Mayweather allegedly made claims in 2009 that Pacquiao used steroids to help launch his rise to the top as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter. Over the past two years, there have been two attempts to put the two in the ring, and both tries have failed.
Ortiz said he knows Mayweather will dominate the headlines up until fight night, whether it's talk about Pacquiao, Mayweather's return to boxing from a 16-month hiatus or his myriad troubles outside the ring.
"I'm the one with the belt," Ortiz said. "I knew when I was 9 years old that I would one day be the world welterweight champion, and I plan to be the champ for a long time. If (Neil) Armstrong can go to the moon, why can't I hold on to my belt for 15 years?"
Ortiz, 24, is coming off a sensational win over Andre Berto on April 16, when he survived a sixth-round knockdown to knock down Berto later in the round and win the WBC belt by unanimous decision. He said the win proved to him that he had a warrior's spirit, and he refused to listen to critics who said he didn't have the heart to be a champion.
"I never paid any attention to that," Ortiz said. "I always stayed true to myself."
Mayweather was ringside that night. He was impressed with Ortiz and decided he would be a worthy opponent in his return to the ring.
"This is not my last fight," said the 34-year-old Mayweather, who last fought May 1, 2010, when he beat Shane Mosley.
Mayweather opened as a minus-750 favorite over Ortiz (plus-525) at the MGM's sports book.
"I'm going to stay active, and I'd like to give you 10 more fights," Mayweather said. "But I don't know if I can do that, since I'm closer to 40 than to 21. But I'm going to go to camp and dedicate myself and push myself to the limit. I look forward to going out there and bringing the pressure.
"I deserve to be where I'm at. What other athlete has done it 15 years straight without a loss?"
HBO announced Tuesday that the first installment of the reality TV series "24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz" will debut Aug. 27, with successive installments on Sept. 3, 10 and 16.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter @stevecarprj.
Source: lvrj.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Victor Ortiz in his return to the ring, but on Tuesday he found himself looking into the future -- and a highly anticipated date with Manny Pacquiao.
As the promotion began for his Sept. 17 fight against Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden, Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) wanted to set the record straight -- at least from his perspective -- about where he stands with Pacquiao.
"I never said Manny Pacquiao is cheating," Mayweather said Tuesday from New York, where the two-city promotional tour kicked off. Mayweather and Ortiz will be in Los Angeles today.
"I never discredited Manny Pacquiao. I'm not taking anything away from him. All I said is we should take the (Olympic-style drug) tests. If you want to beat me, I want you to earn it. Just take the test.
"Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely. But it's one step at a time, and I can't overlook Victor Ortiz. He's the world champion."
Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) has the WBC welterweight title,
Mayweather is being sued by Pacquiao for defamation after Mayweather allegedly made claims in 2009 that Pacquiao used steroids to help launch his rise to the top as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter. Over the past two years, there have been two attempts to put the two in the ring, and both tries have failed.
Ortiz said he knows Mayweather will dominate the headlines up until fight night, whether it's talk about Pacquiao, Mayweather's return to boxing from a 16-month hiatus or his myriad troubles outside the ring.
"I'm the one with the belt," Ortiz said. "I knew when I was 9 years old that I would one day be the world welterweight champion, and I plan to be the champ for a long time. If (Neil) Armstrong can go to the moon, why can't I hold on to my belt for 15 years?"
Ortiz, 24, is coming off a sensational win over Andre Berto on April 16, when he survived a sixth-round knockdown to knock down Berto later in the round and win the WBC belt by unanimous decision. He said the win proved to him that he had a warrior's spirit, and he refused to listen to critics who said he didn't have the heart to be a champion.
"I never paid any attention to that," Ortiz said. "I always stayed true to myself."
Mayweather was ringside that night. He was impressed with Ortiz and decided he would be a worthy opponent in his return to the ring.
"This is not my last fight," said the 34-year-old Mayweather, who last fought May 1, 2010, when he beat Shane Mosley.
Mayweather opened as a minus-750 favorite over Ortiz (plus-525) at the MGM's sports book.
"I'm going to stay active, and I'd like to give you 10 more fights," Mayweather said. "But I don't know if I can do that, since I'm closer to 40 than to 21. But I'm going to go to camp and dedicate myself and push myself to the limit. I look forward to going out there and bringing the pressure.
"I deserve to be where I'm at. What other athlete has done it 15 years straight without a loss?"
HBO announced Tuesday that the first installment of the reality TV series "24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz" will debut Aug. 27, with successive installments on Sept. 3, 10 and 16.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter @stevecarprj.
Source: lvrj.com
Manny Pacquiao still much on Mayweather's mind -- Statesman
Statesman.com
NEW YORK — Floyd Mayweather Jr. was in New York on Tuesday to announce his first fight in 16 months against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, but it was the subtext of his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao as best pound-for-pound fighter in the world that remains more compelling than the main event scheduled Sept. 17 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was much on Mayweather's mind when he began his remarks. Noting that Ortiz (29-2-2, 29 KOs) agreed to unlimited drug testing by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) segued to the subject of failed negotiations for a Pacquiao fight the past two years, blaming it on Pacquiao's original demand it be confined to a specific prefight period.
"Do I want a Pacquiao fight?" Mayweather said. "Absolutely. If that's what the fans want, I want to give it to them." But he added, "To the media, I must touch on the Pacquiao situation. It's not just Pacquiao, it's sports. You look at the Olympics, and they're cheating. They're cheating in sports, period."
Mayweather insisted he's not worried about protecting his undefeated record, but he's worried about the possibility of facing fighters using performance-enhancing drugs. "If you beat me, I want you to earn it," Mayweather said. "Just take the test."
Mayweather is being sued by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for defamation over allegations that Pacquiao has used steroids to fuel his climb from the 106-pound division to win titles in eight weight classes up to 154-pound light middleweight.
Source: statesman.com
NEW YORK — Floyd Mayweather Jr. was in New York on Tuesday to announce his first fight in 16 months against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, but it was the subtext of his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao as best pound-for-pound fighter in the world that remains more compelling than the main event scheduled Sept. 17 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was much on Mayweather's mind when he began his remarks. Noting that Ortiz (29-2-2, 29 KOs) agreed to unlimited drug testing by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) segued to the subject of failed negotiations for a Pacquiao fight the past two years, blaming it on Pacquiao's original demand it be confined to a specific prefight period."Do I want a Pacquiao fight?" Mayweather said. "Absolutely. If that's what the fans want, I want to give it to them." But he added, "To the media, I must touch on the Pacquiao situation. It's not just Pacquiao, it's sports. You look at the Olympics, and they're cheating. They're cheating in sports, period."
Mayweather insisted he's not worried about protecting his undefeated record, but he's worried about the possibility of facing fighters using performance-enhancing drugs. "If you beat me, I want you to earn it," Mayweather said. "Just take the test."
Mayweather is being sued by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for defamation over allegations that Pacquiao has used steroids to fuel his climb from the 106-pound division to win titles in eight weight classes up to 154-pound light middleweight.
Source: statesman.com
Mayweather, Ortiz reflective, restrained -- ESPN
By Franklin McNeil, ESPN.com
NEW YORK -- There wasn't the usual braggadocio, no getting in the other guy's face or chest-bumping.
Longtime welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and current WBC titleholder Victor Ortiz kicked off the promotional tour for their Sept. 17 showdown on Tuesday by showing each other a level of professional respect that is fairly uncommon for these functions.
Despite repeated taunts from the gathered audience questioning Ortiz's heart, and the occasional shout for Mayweather to fight Manny Pacquiao, the fighters focused most of their attention on themselves at the Hudson Theater.
The 34-year-old Mayweather, who is returning to action for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May 2010, used the opportunity to reflect on his career, family and personal supporters.
I'm a lot older, a lot wiser," Mayweather said.
"I've been away from the sport awhile because I wanted to choose the right opponent. But also, I wanted to grow closer to my family, my mother, my children.
"My ultimate goal is for my son and my daughter to never work again. I have to give thanks to [advisors] Leonard Ellerbe and Al Haymon, HBO and my team for putting me in position so that my family will never have to work again."
During his reflective moment, Mayweather (41-0-0, 25 knockouts) appeared to get a little emotional. He paused briefly each time he thanked family members or close friends.
Maybe he is beginning to see the end of an illustrious fighting career. But Mayweather isn't yet ready to write the final chapters.
"I want to thank you guys [the fans] for all your support over the years," Mayweather said. "[Ortiz] is not my last fight. I want to stay active in the sport of boxing; hopefully I can give you guys 10 more fights.
"I may not be able to. I'm closer to 40 than I am 21. But I look forward to going out there. I'm not going to be moving. It's going to be like the Shane Mosley fight; I'm going to bring the pressure in the middle of the squared circle."
Ortiz, 24, has no thoughts of retiring. For him, this fight -- which will be staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air on HBO pay-per-view -- represents the beginning of what he believes will be a wonderful career.
But Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is approaching the rest of it with a new attitude. Roundly criticized in the aftermath of his TKO loss to Marcos Maidana in 2009, he was accused by many of lacking heart. It's the worst label to place on a boxer.
In the past, such comments pained Ortiz. Not anymore. He has experienced too much in life to allow such criticism to harm him anymore.
"I understand all the love-hate type stuff. It is part of the game," Ortiz said. "But tell me one thing I haven't already heard.
"My mom and dad, they left me. People who loved me, they left me. I've been through a bunch of [stuff], are you kidding me?
"For somebody to sit there and tell me how to live my life, or try to dictate how I should live my life, that makes me laugh. I don't care."
Being criticized doesn't concern Ortiz, and neither, apparently, does the Mayweather bout. It's a fight he says he has wanted since his teenage years, and when it was offered, Ortiz immediately signed on.
This was the opportunity he'd been dreaming of for too long.
Ortiz remembers one of the first times he mentioned wanting to fight Mayweather. He was 16 years old. There were doubters then, too.
"We were sitting down watching a Mayweather fight and [trainer Robert Garcia] -- he's not the nicest person toward us sometimes -- said, 'You can't be in there with him. He's way too classy. You're not in his class.'
"But no one is going to tell me how to live my life. I don't care. I'm here to fight."
Franklin McNeil covers mixed martial arts and boxing for ESPN.com. He also appears regularly on "MMA Live," which airs on ESPN2. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Franklin_McNeil.
Source: espn.go.com
NEW YORK -- There wasn't the usual braggadocio, no getting in the other guy's face or chest-bumping.
Longtime welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and current WBC titleholder Victor Ortiz kicked off the promotional tour for their Sept. 17 showdown on Tuesday by showing each other a level of professional respect that is fairly uncommon for these functions.
Despite repeated taunts from the gathered audience questioning Ortiz's heart, and the occasional shout for Mayweather to fight Manny Pacquiao, the fighters focused most of their attention on themselves at the Hudson Theater.
The 34-year-old Mayweather, who is returning to action for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May 2010, used the opportunity to reflect on his career, family and personal supporters.
I'm a lot older, a lot wiser," Mayweather said.
"I've been away from the sport awhile because I wanted to choose the right opponent. But also, I wanted to grow closer to my family, my mother, my children.
"My ultimate goal is for my son and my daughter to never work again. I have to give thanks to [advisors] Leonard Ellerbe and Al Haymon, HBO and my team for putting me in position so that my family will never have to work again."
During his reflective moment, Mayweather (41-0-0, 25 knockouts) appeared to get a little emotional. He paused briefly each time he thanked family members or close friends.
Maybe he is beginning to see the end of an illustrious fighting career. But Mayweather isn't yet ready to write the final chapters.
"I want to thank you guys [the fans] for all your support over the years," Mayweather said. "[Ortiz] is not my last fight. I want to stay active in the sport of boxing; hopefully I can give you guys 10 more fights.
"I may not be able to. I'm closer to 40 than I am 21. But I look forward to going out there. I'm not going to be moving. It's going to be like the Shane Mosley fight; I'm going to bring the pressure in the middle of the squared circle."
Ortiz, 24, has no thoughts of retiring. For him, this fight -- which will be staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air on HBO pay-per-view -- represents the beginning of what he believes will be a wonderful career.
But Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is approaching the rest of it with a new attitude. Roundly criticized in the aftermath of his TKO loss to Marcos Maidana in 2009, he was accused by many of lacking heart. It's the worst label to place on a boxer.
In the past, such comments pained Ortiz. Not anymore. He has experienced too much in life to allow such criticism to harm him anymore.
"I understand all the love-hate type stuff. It is part of the game," Ortiz said. "But tell me one thing I haven't already heard.
"My mom and dad, they left me. People who loved me, they left me. I've been through a bunch of [stuff], are you kidding me?
"For somebody to sit there and tell me how to live my life, or try to dictate how I should live my life, that makes me laugh. I don't care."
Being criticized doesn't concern Ortiz, and neither, apparently, does the Mayweather bout. It's a fight he says he has wanted since his teenage years, and when it was offered, Ortiz immediately signed on.
This was the opportunity he'd been dreaming of for too long.
Ortiz remembers one of the first times he mentioned wanting to fight Mayweather. He was 16 years old. There were doubters then, too.
"We were sitting down watching a Mayweather fight and [trainer Robert Garcia] -- he's not the nicest person toward us sometimes -- said, 'You can't be in there with him. He's way too classy. You're not in his class.'
"But no one is going to tell me how to live my life. I don't care. I'm here to fight."
Franklin McNeil covers mixed martial arts and boxing for ESPN.com. He also appears regularly on "MMA Live," which airs on ESPN2. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Franklin_McNeil.
Source: espn.go.com
Vicious Victor Ortiz declares: I'll beat Mayweather twice, then whip Pacquiao -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
Using what Don King likes to call “double shock power,” what if there were two huge boxing upsets, one on Sept. 17 and one on Nov. 12?
I guess we could then look forward to the 2012 Fight Of The Century, and certainly the most important all Mexican bout ever, between Vicious Victor Ortiz, who handed Floyd Mayweather his first ever pro loss, and Juan Manuel Marquez who, in his third try, finally whipped Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.
Boxing oldtimers like to say that winning a first world title belt does wonders for a fighter’s confidence and Vicious Victor, based on his words and demeanor Tuesday at the Hudson Theater, was exuding confidence.
“I’ll be the one fighting Manny Pacquiao next year,” Ortiz said.
Some might look at his down times, the draw with Lamont Peterson and the notorious “quit job” against Marcos Maidana, and say that’s the essence of Ortiz. But Ortiz himself says we saw the content of his ring character when he bounced off the deck twice to hand cocksure Andre Berto his first defeat.
And, Ortiz promised, we’ll see more of that positive side of him when he shocks “Money” at the mGm Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Someone mentioned the opening odds—with Mayweather minus 750 and Ortiz plus 525—and Ortiz laughed.
“I don’t care about that,” the 24 year old former Kansan said. “I don’t pay attention to that. I am not one of those made champions. I didn’t get here by fighting tomato cans.
“I’m not one of those guys who were fed with a spoon like that. I have a lot of slaps in my face (from critics). This is a great chance for me.
“I plan on being a world champion for 15 years. I didn’t work so hard for this opportunity to let it a slip away,” Ortiz said.
“I am definitely going to beat Mayweather.”
Ortiz explains away his controversial finish against Argentine strongman by citing family issues and a badly injured right hand.
“I let my emotions get the best of me regarding my brother and my sister and some issues,” Ortiz said. “I also had to (secretly) see some doctors and get cortisone shots in my hand.”
Criticism of his heart and courage from that loss still burns deep for Ortiz.
Ortiz revealed that he had to accept a rematch clause to get the Mayweather bout.
“So I may have to beat him twice and then fight Pacquiao,” Ortiz said.
Like I said, in the wake of besting Berto, Ortiz’s confidence level is at an all time high.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Using what Don King likes to call “double shock power,” what if there were two huge boxing upsets, one on Sept. 17 and one on Nov. 12?
I guess we could then look forward to the 2012 Fight Of The Century, and certainly the most important all Mexican bout ever, between Vicious Victor Ortiz, who handed Floyd Mayweather his first ever pro loss, and Juan Manuel Marquez who, in his third try, finally whipped Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.
Boxing oldtimers like to say that winning a first world title belt does wonders for a fighter’s confidence and Vicious Victor, based on his words and demeanor Tuesday at the Hudson Theater, was exuding confidence.
“I’ll be the one fighting Manny Pacquiao next year,” Ortiz said.
Some might look at his down times, the draw with Lamont Peterson and the notorious “quit job” against Marcos Maidana, and say that’s the essence of Ortiz. But Ortiz himself says we saw the content of his ring character when he bounced off the deck twice to hand cocksure Andre Berto his first defeat.
And, Ortiz promised, we’ll see more of that positive side of him when he shocks “Money” at the mGm Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Someone mentioned the opening odds—with Mayweather minus 750 and Ortiz plus 525—and Ortiz laughed.
“I don’t care about that,” the 24 year old former Kansan said. “I don’t pay attention to that. I am not one of those made champions. I didn’t get here by fighting tomato cans.
“I’m not one of those guys who were fed with a spoon like that. I have a lot of slaps in my face (from critics). This is a great chance for me.
“I plan on being a world champion for 15 years. I didn’t work so hard for this opportunity to let it a slip away,” Ortiz said.
“I am definitely going to beat Mayweather.”
Ortiz explains away his controversial finish against Argentine strongman by citing family issues and a badly injured right hand.
“I let my emotions get the best of me regarding my brother and my sister and some issues,” Ortiz said. “I also had to (secretly) see some doctors and get cortisone shots in my hand.”
Criticism of his heart and courage from that loss still burns deep for Ortiz.
Ortiz revealed that he had to accept a rematch clause to get the Mayweather bout.
“So I may have to beat him twice and then fight Pacquiao,” Ortiz said.
Like I said, in the wake of besting Berto, Ortiz’s confidence level is at an all time high.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he 'would love the [Manny] Pacquiao fight to happen' -- Los Angeles Times
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
For the first time since he walked off the post-fight news conference stage in May 2010, Floyd Mayweather Jr. addressed an assemblage of reporters Tuesday in New York and said what boxing fans want to hear.
Pacquiao's next as long as he agrees to the testing, [U.S. Anti-Doping Agency] testing. Victor Ortiz has agreed to do it. So did [May 2010 foe] Shane Mosley. I'm also testing. I'll show I'm clean, and that boxing is clean."
The 34-year-old Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) and Ventura's 24-year-old Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) will tangle for Ortiz's World Boxing Council welterweight belt Sept. 17 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The pair will appear Wednesdayat downtown's L.A. Live at 8 p.m. for a public news conference.
Odds at Las Vegas sports books opened Tuesday with Mayweather as more than a 7-to-1 favorite over the taller southpaw. HBO pay per view will televise the bout and bring back its "24/7" series Aug. 27.
Since his last fight, Mayweather has been beset by legal challenges, including a multi-felony domestic violence episode involving the mother of his three children that has the boxer scheduled to return to Clark County (Nev.) court Oct. 20. But Mayweather said his three children live with him at his home in Las Vegas and he downplayed the severity of the alleged crimes.
"I'm in the hurt business, in a contact sport, so when something like this happens, people want to assume the worst. I'm automatically assumed guilty," Mayweather said.
"My thing is to focus on my job. Someone can go to trial, but you can't let it lose your focus on your key. I got to do what I do. Boxing is what pays my bills."
Mayweather said he's not expecting his skills to show ring rust despite a 16-plus month layoff that included a third failed negotiation to seal a Pacquiao fight, with the sides bitterly split on the drug-testing protocol.
"There's ups and downs with boxing, layoffs are part of the sport and they can either help or hurt a guy," Mayweather said. "In my case, I think it'll help. My fitness is great. I'm playing basketball, keeping my weight at 147 right now and getting my body stretched out in massages. I'm ready to go."
Mayweather said he opted to return to the ring after sitting ringside at Ortiz's thrilling decision triumph over previously unbeaten Andre Berto in April — when both fighters were knocked down twice in the bout.
"I really missed that atmosphere," he said.
Now Mayweather is focused on beating Ortiz, and then setting up the super-fight against Pacquiao that the world wants in 2012.
"How do I deal with that? Execute the game plan given to me," Mayweather said. "I can go outside, counter punch … this sport's all about being a great student and good listener. That's who I am."
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
twitter.com/latimespugmire
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times
Source: latimes.com
For the first time since he walked off the post-fight news conference stage in May 2010, Floyd Mayweather Jr. addressed an assemblage of reporters Tuesday in New York and said what boxing fans want to hear."I would love the [Manny] Pacquiao
fight to happen," Mayweather Jr. told The Times in a telephone interview after meeting with the New York contingent. "We take one guy at a time. Now, it's Victor Ortiz.
fight to happen," Mayweather Jr. told The Times in a telephone interview after meeting with the New York contingent. "We take one guy at a time. Now, it's Victor Ortiz.Pacquiao's next as long as he agrees to the testing, [U.S. Anti-Doping Agency] testing. Victor Ortiz has agreed to do it. So did [May 2010 foe] Shane Mosley. I'm also testing. I'll show I'm clean, and that boxing is clean."
The 34-year-old Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) and Ventura's 24-year-old Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) will tangle for Ortiz's World Boxing Council welterweight belt Sept. 17 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The pair will appear Wednesdayat downtown's L.A. Live at 8 p.m. for a public news conference.
Odds at Las Vegas sports books opened Tuesday with Mayweather as more than a 7-to-1 favorite over the taller southpaw. HBO pay per view will televise the bout and bring back its "24/7" series Aug. 27.
Since his last fight, Mayweather has been beset by legal challenges, including a multi-felony domestic violence episode involving the mother of his three children that has the boxer scheduled to return to Clark County (Nev.) court Oct. 20. But Mayweather said his three children live with him at his home in Las Vegas and he downplayed the severity of the alleged crimes.
"I'm in the hurt business, in a contact sport, so when something like this happens, people want to assume the worst. I'm automatically assumed guilty," Mayweather said.
"My thing is to focus on my job. Someone can go to trial, but you can't let it lose your focus on your key. I got to do what I do. Boxing is what pays my bills."
Mayweather said he's not expecting his skills to show ring rust despite a 16-plus month layoff that included a third failed negotiation to seal a Pacquiao fight, with the sides bitterly split on the drug-testing protocol.
"There's ups and downs with boxing, layoffs are part of the sport and they can either help or hurt a guy," Mayweather said. "In my case, I think it'll help. My fitness is great. I'm playing basketball, keeping my weight at 147 right now and getting my body stretched out in massages. I'm ready to go."
Mayweather said he opted to return to the ring after sitting ringside at Ortiz's thrilling decision triumph over previously unbeaten Andre Berto in April — when both fighters were knocked down twice in the bout.
"I really missed that atmosphere," he said.
Now Mayweather is focused on beating Ortiz, and then setting up the super-fight against Pacquiao that the world wants in 2012.
"How do I deal with that? Execute the game plan given to me," Mayweather said. "I can go outside, counter punch … this sport's all about being a great student and good listener. That's who I am."
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
twitter.com/latimespugmire
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times
Source: latimes.com
Mayweather is always worth watching -- ESPN
By Michael Woods, ESPN
NEW YORK -- Floyd Mayweather is one of those entertainers who falls into the "either you love them or you hate them" category.
His fans (and there are hordes of them -- a few hundred queued up at the Hudson Theater on West 44th St. in the blazing sun on Tuesday to watch the news conference banging the drums for his Sept. 17 fight against Victor Ortiz) point to his stellar technique in the ring, the sweetly scientific skills that allow Mayweather to boast with some viability that he is an all-time, pound-for-pound great. Those who don't care for Mayweather most often cite his tendency towards boastfulness. They'll point out that he hasn't always appeared to seek out the stiffest challengers en route to piling up a 41-0 (25 KOs) record and six titles in five weight divisions.
Evidence suggests, though, that folks in both camps -- those who admire the brash hitter, and those who don't dig the antics of the man who in P Diddy-ish fashion rebranded himself "Money" after going by the "Pretty Boy Floyd" tag -- pay up to watch him fight.
Some stats to back that up: In seven pay-per-view fights, Mayweather has amassed 6.9 million buys and garnered $375 million in revenue; his 2007 fight with Oscar De La Hoya did a record 2.44 million buys and a record $137 million in revenue. Tune in to see him expertly ply his trade, or tune in to see him get his block knocked off -- either way, people tune in.
So the fight game, the fans, the haters, and the suits who share in the take when Mayweather gloves up are all happy to see the 34-year-old back in the ring after 16 months away. He will allow the 24-year-old Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) -- a kid who came up the hard way in Kansas in a series of foster homes after being abandoned by his mother at age seven, and then by his father five years later -- a chance for a majestic signature win. Boxing fans have hungered for a couple years now to see Mayweather and the Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao face off for true bragging rights to the mythical pound-for-pound title. But a rumble with a young gun like Ortiz, coming off a stellar April win against WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto, has been met with an upbeat buzz on message boards and at water coolers.
It will be something of a relief for his backers to be able to focus on the in-the-ring element of Mayweather's life. He has been plagued by a series of brushes with the law in the past nine months. Charges are pending against the fighter for a Sept. 2010 clash with his ex-gal pal, the mother of his three kids, all of whom were up on the dais with the fighter and his posse on Tuesday. Mayweather seems to butt heads with security guards wherever he goes as well. Two months after the domestic situation, he got into a dispute with a security guard at his residence, and was charged with battery. A month after that, he was caught on tape getting into a beef with another guard at his community in Las Vegas.
On June 27, it was revealed that a man has filed a civil suit against Mayweather. The accuser says Mayweather, in May 2010, ordered his bodyguards to attack him at The Palms (Las Vegas) valet area. His woes also include a pending defamation suit lodged by Pacquiao, who maintains Mayweather and his crew accused him of taking illegal performance-enhancers; a week ago Mayweather blew off a deposition session for that case.
So, one might think that these legal entanglements hang heavy on Mayweather-s head -- that his ability to concentrate on the task of handling Ortiz, who has sent each and every one of his foes to the canvas since he turned pro -- might be compromised.
Not so, said Mayweather on Tuesday. "Absolutely not," he maintained. "You go through certain things in life. Everybody has certain obstacles put in front of them."
He said that writers play up negative aspects of his behavior, and found a silver lining in his travails, as he thanked writers who spoke ill of him for keeping him "relevant."
Mayweather wouldn't explicitly say that some or all of the accusations stem from people looking to make a buck off him. But he did note that one specific allegation of misbehavior was proven false via a tape of one incident which was leaked to the gossip website TMZ. "Things happen, you live and learn, I don't worry about anything, what's going to happen in life is going to happen, the only thing you can do is only hope for the best."
Some wonder if Mayweather should worry if he will be a free man come Sept. 17. He is facing a bevy of charges. New York attorney Keith Sullivan, who is active in the fight game, offered ESPNNewYork.com his take on Mayweather's prospects in his legal battles.
"On the home front, he has a domestic violence charge pending, for the alleged assault on his ex," Sullivan said. "This case won't hit the courts until after the Ortiz fight. However, he is looking at four felony charges. He also has two pending misdemeanor assault cases involving security guards at his housing complex. One of the two is scheduled for trial on Sept. 1. His attorneys are likely to get this matter adjourned until after the fight."
"Manny seems poised to score a knockout victory against Floyd in the federal defamation suit," Sullivan continued. "Mayweather violated the judge's order to appear for a deposition in mid-June. Disobeying any judge is never good, but particularly a federal judge. Manny's lawyer will likely seek a default judgment against Floyd. If the two ever fight, Manny may be able to walk with both purses to satisfy the judgment.
"The most serious legal problem is the felony domestic violence charges. I suspect his legal team will do everything in their power to show the court that Floyd is contrite and willing to partake in anger-management programs and community service as punishment. This case hinges almost entirely on his ex's willingness to testify against him. He can run, slip, duck, bob and weave away from fighters, but the law is said to have a long arm for a reason, it always catches up to you."
Mayweather didn't seem like a rattled man on Tuesday. He told the media and fans that he'd like to fight maybe 10 more times, and that he does want to fight Pacquiao -- if Pacquiao agrees to super-stringent performance-enhancing drug testing, which Ortiz has agreed to. He talked of wanting to be a superlative family man, and keeping his kids off the computer, lest they read inaccurate stories about their dad.
Backers will say he has matured. Detractors will say he is posturing.
But maybe people in both camps should root for Floyd to disentangle himself smoothly from the claws of the courts. As fan Anthony Ciarla, a 25-year-old from Bloomfield, N.J., who had a day off from managing the frozen food section at a supermarket put it as he waited to get inside the theater: "His character is very good for boxing. He appeals to everyone. You either love him or hate him. You pay to see him either way."
Source: sports.espn.go.com
NEW YORK -- Floyd Mayweather is one of those entertainers who falls into the "either you love them or you hate them" category.
His fans (and there are hordes of them -- a few hundred queued up at the Hudson Theater on West 44th St. in the blazing sun on Tuesday to watch the news conference banging the drums for his Sept. 17 fight against Victor Ortiz) point to his stellar technique in the ring, the sweetly scientific skills that allow Mayweather to boast with some viability that he is an all-time, pound-for-pound great. Those who don't care for Mayweather most often cite his tendency towards boastfulness. They'll point out that he hasn't always appeared to seek out the stiffest challengers en route to piling up a 41-0 (25 KOs) record and six titles in five weight divisions.
Evidence suggests, though, that folks in both camps -- those who admire the brash hitter, and those who don't dig the antics of the man who in P Diddy-ish fashion rebranded himself "Money" after going by the "Pretty Boy Floyd" tag -- pay up to watch him fight.
Some stats to back that up: In seven pay-per-view fights, Mayweather has amassed 6.9 million buys and garnered $375 million in revenue; his 2007 fight with Oscar De La Hoya did a record 2.44 million buys and a record $137 million in revenue. Tune in to see him expertly ply his trade, or tune in to see him get his block knocked off -- either way, people tune in.
So the fight game, the fans, the haters, and the suits who share in the take when Mayweather gloves up are all happy to see the 34-year-old back in the ring after 16 months away. He will allow the 24-year-old Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) -- a kid who came up the hard way in Kansas in a series of foster homes after being abandoned by his mother at age seven, and then by his father five years later -- a chance for a majestic signature win. Boxing fans have hungered for a couple years now to see Mayweather and the Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao face off for true bragging rights to the mythical pound-for-pound title. But a rumble with a young gun like Ortiz, coming off a stellar April win against WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto, has been met with an upbeat buzz on message boards and at water coolers.
It will be something of a relief for his backers to be able to focus on the in-the-ring element of Mayweather's life. He has been plagued by a series of brushes with the law in the past nine months. Charges are pending against the fighter for a Sept. 2010 clash with his ex-gal pal, the mother of his three kids, all of whom were up on the dais with the fighter and his posse on Tuesday. Mayweather seems to butt heads with security guards wherever he goes as well. Two months after the domestic situation, he got into a dispute with a security guard at his residence, and was charged with battery. A month after that, he was caught on tape getting into a beef with another guard at his community in Las Vegas.
On June 27, it was revealed that a man has filed a civil suit against Mayweather. The accuser says Mayweather, in May 2010, ordered his bodyguards to attack him at The Palms (Las Vegas) valet area. His woes also include a pending defamation suit lodged by Pacquiao, who maintains Mayweather and his crew accused him of taking illegal performance-enhancers; a week ago Mayweather blew off a deposition session for that case.
So, one might think that these legal entanglements hang heavy on Mayweather-s head -- that his ability to concentrate on the task of handling Ortiz, who has sent each and every one of his foes to the canvas since he turned pro -- might be compromised.
Not so, said Mayweather on Tuesday. "Absolutely not," he maintained. "You go through certain things in life. Everybody has certain obstacles put in front of them."
He said that writers play up negative aspects of his behavior, and found a silver lining in his travails, as he thanked writers who spoke ill of him for keeping him "relevant."
Mayweather wouldn't explicitly say that some or all of the accusations stem from people looking to make a buck off him. But he did note that one specific allegation of misbehavior was proven false via a tape of one incident which was leaked to the gossip website TMZ. "Things happen, you live and learn, I don't worry about anything, what's going to happen in life is going to happen, the only thing you can do is only hope for the best."
Some wonder if Mayweather should worry if he will be a free man come Sept. 17. He is facing a bevy of charges. New York attorney Keith Sullivan, who is active in the fight game, offered ESPNNewYork.com his take on Mayweather's prospects in his legal battles.
"On the home front, he has a domestic violence charge pending, for the alleged assault on his ex," Sullivan said. "This case won't hit the courts until after the Ortiz fight. However, he is looking at four felony charges. He also has two pending misdemeanor assault cases involving security guards at his housing complex. One of the two is scheduled for trial on Sept. 1. His attorneys are likely to get this matter adjourned until after the fight."
"Manny seems poised to score a knockout victory against Floyd in the federal defamation suit," Sullivan continued. "Mayweather violated the judge's order to appear for a deposition in mid-June. Disobeying any judge is never good, but particularly a federal judge. Manny's lawyer will likely seek a default judgment against Floyd. If the two ever fight, Manny may be able to walk with both purses to satisfy the judgment.
"The most serious legal problem is the felony domestic violence charges. I suspect his legal team will do everything in their power to show the court that Floyd is contrite and willing to partake in anger-management programs and community service as punishment. This case hinges almost entirely on his ex's willingness to testify against him. He can run, slip, duck, bob and weave away from fighters, but the law is said to have a long arm for a reason, it always catches up to you."
Mayweather didn't seem like a rattled man on Tuesday. He told the media and fans that he'd like to fight maybe 10 more times, and that he does want to fight Pacquiao -- if Pacquiao agrees to super-stringent performance-enhancing drug testing, which Ortiz has agreed to. He talked of wanting to be a superlative family man, and keeping his kids off the computer, lest they read inaccurate stories about their dad.
Backers will say he has matured. Detractors will say he is posturing.
But maybe people in both camps should root for Floyd to disentangle himself smoothly from the claws of the courts. As fan Anthony Ciarla, a 25-year-old from Bloomfield, N.J., who had a day off from managing the frozen food section at a supermarket put it as he waited to get inside the theater: "His character is very good for boxing. He appeals to everyone. You either love him or hate him. You pay to see him either way."
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Mayweather willing to fight Pacquiao under own terms -- USA Today
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — It seems Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will be forever linked, regardless of whether they ever face each other in the ring.
The two have danced around the richest fight in boxing for several years, unable to come to terms. Meanwhile, their animosity has grown to the point that Pacquiao has a pending defamation lawsuit alleging Mayweather unfairly accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
So it's not surprising that Mayweather spent just as much time answering questions about Pacquiao on Tuesday as he did about Victor Ortiz, the welterweight champion whom he'll face in his next fight on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"I've never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids, I never said he was taking enhancement drugs," said Mayweather, who failed to turn up for a court-ordered deposition in Las Vegas earlier this month involving the defamation suit.
"I want to fight the best they got out there, not just him, the best they got out there," Mayweather said, "and if he's on the list as one of the best guys, then absolutely."
Mayweather said he's willing to fight Pacquiao if there is random blood and urine testing, which is more stringent than the protocol used by most state athletic associations. Mayweather said Pacquiao's team would only agree to blood and urine testing at certain times.
"It's not just Pacquiao, it's sports, period," Mayweather said. "If you look at sports in the Olympics, they're cheating. Everyone is cheating. And I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating, only thing I said was this: Me and any other opponent I face must take the test."
Mayweather will be returning to the ring for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May 2010, though the undefeated former champion has made plenty of news since then.
Last Friday, 21-year-old Anthony Cliff filed a lawsuit accusing Mayweather of ordering his bodyguards to attack the man outside the Palms Casino Resort on March 27, 2010.
The lawsuit accuses Mayweather of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of employees.
Mayweather also faces felony charges stemming from a domestic argument and misdemeanor harassment and battery charges in separate cases.
"When you're young, black and rich, you go through things in life," Mayweather said. "But I'm a strong individual. I can survive through anything."
Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, declined to discuss the litigation.
"We focus on the business part and the boxing part," Ellerbe said. "We let the attorneys handle the legal stuff."
Mayweather and Ellerbe joined several hundred fans inside the Hudson Theater in New York City to kick off a promotional tour for the fight against Ortiz, who is coming off a career-defining victory over Andre Berto that made him the WBC welterweight champion.
Ortiz said he doesn't mind that people want to talk about Pacquiao — even if that person is Mayweather — because he's staring at the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I'm supposed to be a piece of nothing, I'm not supposed to be here, according to the statistics," said Ortiz, whose parents abandoned him when he was young, forcing him and his five siblings to live in foster care. "I'm tired of, 'You can't do this, you can't do that.'"
Early in his career, Ortiz was anointed the next Mexican-American superstar by Oscar De La Hoya, whose company promotes him. But his meteoric rise met a wall when he fought Marcos Maidana two years ago. Ortiz was losing after six rounds and essentially quit in the ring, one boxing's cardinal sins, and fans and the media were quick to write him off.
Ortiz has been spectacular on the slow road to redemption, though, and in April climbed off the canvas twice to beat Berto as the heavy underdog and win the welterweight championship.
"I realize he's a great fighter, but since I was 9 years old, I always said I'd fight Mayweather one day as champion of the world, and check it out," Ortiz said. "It's crazy."
Ortiz said he asked to fight Mayweather or Pacquiao after his most recent fight, even though he heard whispers from people — including some in his own promotional company — who said he was overmatched or out of his mind. But he wanted to fight the best in the world, and depending who you ask, he may have achieved that by landing a shot at Mayweather.
As for Mayweather's plan to fight Pacquiao next?
"There's only one problem," Ortiz said. "I'm fighting Pacquiao next."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: usatoday.com
NEW YORK (AP) — It seems Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will be forever linked, regardless of whether they ever face each other in the ring.
The two have danced around the richest fight in boxing for several years, unable to come to terms. Meanwhile, their animosity has grown to the point that Pacquiao has a pending defamation lawsuit alleging Mayweather unfairly accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
So it's not surprising that Mayweather spent just as much time answering questions about Pacquiao on Tuesday as he did about Victor Ortiz, the welterweight champion whom he'll face in his next fight on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"I've never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids, I never said he was taking enhancement drugs," said Mayweather, who failed to turn up for a court-ordered deposition in Las Vegas earlier this month involving the defamation suit.
"I want to fight the best they got out there, not just him, the best they got out there," Mayweather said, "and if he's on the list as one of the best guys, then absolutely."
Mayweather said he's willing to fight Pacquiao if there is random blood and urine testing, which is more stringent than the protocol used by most state athletic associations. Mayweather said Pacquiao's team would only agree to blood and urine testing at certain times.
"It's not just Pacquiao, it's sports, period," Mayweather said. "If you look at sports in the Olympics, they're cheating. Everyone is cheating. And I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating, only thing I said was this: Me and any other opponent I face must take the test."
Mayweather will be returning to the ring for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May 2010, though the undefeated former champion has made plenty of news since then.
Last Friday, 21-year-old Anthony Cliff filed a lawsuit accusing Mayweather of ordering his bodyguards to attack the man outside the Palms Casino Resort on March 27, 2010.
The lawsuit accuses Mayweather of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of employees.
Mayweather also faces felony charges stemming from a domestic argument and misdemeanor harassment and battery charges in separate cases.
"When you're young, black and rich, you go through things in life," Mayweather said. "But I'm a strong individual. I can survive through anything."
Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, declined to discuss the litigation.
"We focus on the business part and the boxing part," Ellerbe said. "We let the attorneys handle the legal stuff."
Mayweather and Ellerbe joined several hundred fans inside the Hudson Theater in New York City to kick off a promotional tour for the fight against Ortiz, who is coming off a career-defining victory over Andre Berto that made him the WBC welterweight champion.
Ortiz said he doesn't mind that people want to talk about Pacquiao — even if that person is Mayweather — because he's staring at the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I'm supposed to be a piece of nothing, I'm not supposed to be here, according to the statistics," said Ortiz, whose parents abandoned him when he was young, forcing him and his five siblings to live in foster care. "I'm tired of, 'You can't do this, you can't do that.'"
Early in his career, Ortiz was anointed the next Mexican-American superstar by Oscar De La Hoya, whose company promotes him. But his meteoric rise met a wall when he fought Marcos Maidana two years ago. Ortiz was losing after six rounds and essentially quit in the ring, one boxing's cardinal sins, and fans and the media were quick to write him off.
Ortiz has been spectacular on the slow road to redemption, though, and in April climbed off the canvas twice to beat Berto as the heavy underdog and win the welterweight championship.
"I realize he's a great fighter, but since I was 9 years old, I always said I'd fight Mayweather one day as champion of the world, and check it out," Ortiz said. "It's crazy."
Ortiz said he asked to fight Mayweather or Pacquiao after his most recent fight, even though he heard whispers from people — including some in his own promotional company — who said he was overmatched or out of his mind. But he wanted to fight the best in the world, and depending who you ask, he may have achieved that by landing a shot at Mayweather.
As for Mayweather's plan to fight Pacquiao next?
"There's only one problem," Ortiz said. "I'm fighting Pacquiao next."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: usatoday.com
Manny Pacquiao Vs Floyd Mayweather JR: THE STORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN -- Ringside Report
By Geno McGahee, Ringside Report
In 2005, Floyd challenged the hopelessly overmatched WBC Light Welterweight Champion, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. Gatti was a slugger, the “bloods and guts” warrior, that had been maneuvered into the championship because he drew a crowd. Floyd exploited the situation, used Gatti’s fan appeal and good guy image to begin to establish his character. He was the trash-talking villain and Gatti was the every man. Some even picked the power-puncher to upset Floyd, but it was a fool’s bet. Floyd easily, as predicted, dismantled and stopped Gatti, and found a place on the mainstream map.
In 2007, Floyd made a great business move and took on Oscar De La Hoya, a spent force, but a huge name, and he played with “The Golden Boy” en route to a decision win. He was systematically becoming a household name on the backs of other household names. That, along with his work with the WWE, he had overcome his style problems with the casual boxing fans, and is a huge attraction. People want to see him lose.
As Floyd’s bodyguards rough up fans, and Money Mayweather throws money around, bragging about how loaded he is, Pacquiao fights. He is another every man…a hard worker that has worked his way up the ladder the roughest way possible. He has taken on the best available competition to get to where he is and has earned a shot at Mayweather, the only fighter left that has as much claim to the top spot as he does.
The story of this 2012 showdown, if it happens is your typical story: Good guy vs. bad guy.
Floyd is the bad guy. He is the loud, flamboyant, cursing, angry fighter. Pacquiao is the good guy, helping his impoverished country, being respectful to his opposition, and speaking quietly before each fight, never going out of his way to insult an opponent. Although these are the thoughts of many boxing fans, the truth isn’t exactly there.
Floyd is not a bad guy. I don’t know him personally, but the majority of his antics are to hype up the fights, get a larger gate, turn a bigger buck on the PPVs. He is a business man, and like Vince McMahon of the WWE knows, a heel can sell very well. In fact, Floyd has probably taken a great deal of pointers from the WWE.
This holds true for Manny too. I’m not claiming that he’s disrespectful, but when you reach a level, you have advisors and whatever makes you more money, you will do. Manny being the worker, the good guy, has helped line his pockets. It makes sense to be this character, even if it doesn’t represent you 100%.
Victor Ortiz and Juan Manuel Marquez are two fighters standing in the way of this super fight. Both men intend to be victorious and rewrite this story. If Ortiz should win, you can bet that he will face Pacquiao in his next fight. If Marquez should win, it will be vindication and may set up a fourth match with Pacquiao. There are many different scenarios that could happen, but if the most likely happens, Floyd and Manny win, we should have a 2012 showdown with your good guy vs. bad guy appeal.
Let’s hope that they can finally agree to a fight.
Source: ringsidereport.com
When Floyd Mayweather, JR., 
came onto the scene, he didn’t draw the mainstream. He was a great boxer, great defensive fighter, but outside of die hard boxing fans, he was an unknown. He vowed to change that and did so.
came onto the scene, he didn’t draw the mainstream. He was a great boxer, great defensive fighter, but outside of die hard boxing fans, he was an unknown. He vowed to change that and did so.In 2005, Floyd challenged the hopelessly overmatched WBC Light Welterweight Champion, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. Gatti was a slugger, the “bloods and guts” warrior, that had been maneuvered into the championship because he drew a crowd. Floyd exploited the situation, used Gatti’s fan appeal and good guy image to begin to establish his character. He was the trash-talking villain and Gatti was the every man. Some even picked the power-puncher to upset Floyd, but it was a fool’s bet. Floyd easily, as predicted, dismantled and stopped Gatti, and found a place on the mainstream map.In 2007, Floyd made a great business move and took on Oscar De La Hoya, a spent force, but a huge name, and he played with “The Golden Boy” en route to a decision win. He was systematically becoming a household name on the backs of other household names. That, along with his work with the WWE, he had overcome his style problems with the casual boxing fans, and is a huge attraction. People want to see him lose.
As Floyd’s bodyguards rough up fans, and Money Mayweather throws money around, bragging about how loaded he is, Pacquiao fights. He is another every man…a hard worker that has worked his way up the ladder the roughest way possible. He has taken on the best available competition to get to where he is and has earned a shot at Mayweather, the only fighter left that has as much claim to the top spot as he does.
The story of this 2012 showdown, if it happens is your typical story: Good guy vs. bad guy.
Floyd is the bad guy. He is the loud, flamboyant, cursing, angry fighter. Pacquiao is the good guy, helping his impoverished country, being respectful to his opposition, and speaking quietly before each fight, never going out of his way to insult an opponent. Although these are the thoughts of many boxing fans, the truth isn’t exactly there.
Floyd is not a bad guy. I don’t know him personally, but the majority of his antics are to hype up the fights, get a larger gate, turn a bigger buck on the PPVs. He is a business man, and like Vince McMahon of the WWE knows, a heel can sell very well. In fact, Floyd has probably taken a great deal of pointers from the WWE.
This holds true for Manny too. I’m not claiming that he’s disrespectful, but when you reach a level, you have advisors and whatever makes you more money, you will do. Manny being the worker, the good guy, has helped line his pockets. It makes sense to be this character, even if it doesn’t represent you 100%.
Victor Ortiz and Juan Manuel Marquez are two fighters standing in the way of this super fight. Both men intend to be victorious and rewrite this story. If Ortiz should win, you can bet that he will face Pacquiao in his next fight. If Marquez should win, it will be vindication and may set up a fourth match with Pacquiao. There are many different scenarios that could happen, but if the most likely happens, Floyd and Manny win, we should have a 2012 showdown with your good guy vs. bad guy appeal.
Let’s hope that they can finally agree to a fight.
Source: ringsidereport.com
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