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Floyd Mayweather says that he'd like to fight Manny Pacquiao, but wants to give "Vicious" Victor Ortiz a shot first.
During his press tour supporting his upcoming fight against Ortiz, Floyd was asked about long-anticipated bout against superstar Manny Pacquiao, and while he said he definitely wants make it happen, his first order of business is the September fight against WBC Welterweight World Champion, Victor Ortiz.
"I don't duck or dodge anyone. This is for the fans. This is for the Pacquiao fans too," Mayweather said. "Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely, if that is what the fans want. I want to give the fans what they want, but I have to take it one step at a time. I cannot overlook Victor Ortiz."
Talks for a Pacquiao/Mayweather superfight has stalled several times in recent years, when both camps could not agree to terms, specifically Olympic-style drug testing requested from Mayweather. So instead, Floyd has taken other fights.
Ortiz is coming off an exciting win over former undefeated champ Andre Berto in April, coming back from two knockdowns to take a unanimous decision following 12 brutal rounds of boxing. Despite a disappointing loss to Marcos Maidana in 2009, Mayweather says Ortiz has proven that he's a "true champion" ... and wants to give a shot at a big fight.
"I also want to say congratulations to Victor Ortiz. It's not easy to bounce back from a crucial loss," Money May said. "He bounced back like a true champion. I take my hat off to him.
"I don't want to hear about him [Ortiz] losing before," he continued. "Right now he is the world champion. This is about me facing the world champion and fighting the best."
Floyd Mayweather has been on a hiatus from boxing for over a year. His last ring appearance came on May 1, 2010, when he dismantled "Sugar" Shane Mosley in a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
Now, on September 17th, he takes on Ortitz in a championship fight for the WBC Welterweight title.
During his press tour supporting his upcoming fight against Ortiz, Floyd was asked about long-anticipated bout against superstar Manny Pacquiao, and while he said he definitely wants make it happen, his first order of business is the September fight against WBC Welterweight World Champion, Victor Ortiz.
"I don't duck or dodge anyone. This is for the fans. This is for the Pacquiao fans too," Mayweather said. "Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely, if that is what the fans want. I want to give the fans what they want, but I have to take it one step at a time. I cannot overlook Victor Ortiz."
Talks for a Pacquiao/Mayweather superfight has stalled several times in recent years, when both camps could not agree to terms, specifically Olympic-style drug testing requested from Mayweather. So instead, Floyd has taken other fights.
Ortiz is coming off an exciting win over former undefeated champ Andre Berto in April, coming back from two knockdowns to take a unanimous decision following 12 brutal rounds of boxing. Despite a disappointing loss to Marcos Maidana in 2009, Mayweather says Ortiz has proven that he's a "true champion" ... and wants to give a shot at a big fight.
"I also want to say congratulations to Victor Ortiz. It's not easy to bounce back from a crucial loss," Money May said. "He bounced back like a true champion. I take my hat off to him.
"I don't want to hear about him [Ortiz] losing before," he continued. "Right now he is the world champion. This is about me facing the world champion and fighting the best."
Floyd Mayweather has been on a hiatus from boxing for over a year. His last ring appearance came on May 1, 2010, when he dismantled "Sugar" Shane Mosley in a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
Now, on September 17th, he takes on Ortitz in a championship fight for the WBC Welterweight title.
