Las Vegas, NV (June 7)…The wait is over and once again Floyd “Money” Mayweather delivers as the undefeated six-time world champion announced today via his Twitter account @floydmayweather that he will return to the ring on Saturday, September 17, to face the hard-hitting and explosive current WBC Welterweight World Champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz in what is now the biggest international boxing event of 2011.
The announcement of the fight, which will take place on Mexican Independence Day weekend, widely considered boxing’s biggest weekend, sends shock waves across the sports pages as there is no denying that the younger, stronger and current champion Ortiz poses an extremely credible threat to Mayweather, who returns to the ring after a 16-month hiatus. It is a highly competitive and very dangerous match-up that will give fans a chance to see the sport’s biggest star against the sport’s newest star in one ring on one very special night of boxing action.
“I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there and for me, that is Victor Ortiz,” said Mayweather. “He is the current champion and an extremely talented fighter who showed amazing skills, and heart, in his last performance against Andre Berto. 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. Like the rest of my opponents, he is going to try to prove that he can beat me. I commend him for accepting the fight, but on September 17, Ortiz is just going to be another casualty, the 42nd one who tried and failed. Trust me, I will be ready.”
“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 strong fighter and I have worked really hard to silence my critics. 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.”
Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KO’s) remains boxing’s biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating record pay-per-view numbers each time he steps into the ring. In his last ring appearance on May 1, 2010, Mayweather dismantled Sugar Shane Mosley in a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Mayweather is no stranger to fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend either, as prior to his sensational win over Mosley, he took on Mexican boxing star Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19, 2009, beating his opponent in spectacular fashion. During his extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over world champions such as Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO’s) is on fire. He is riding a six-fight undefeated streak including his sensational win over Andre Berto on April 16 of this year. The hard-punching southpaw proved himself throughout their 12-round battle when he survived a knock down in the sixth round and came back to drop Berto at the end of the sixth round in one of the most exciting fights in boxing this year. Ortiz, who was already known as one of the most powerful young fighters in the sport but was questioned in the past for his desire, showed the world that his heart matches his hands of steel when faced with the best in boxing.
“When Floyd fights, everyone stops to watch and this is an exciting time for boxing as it always is when Floyd steps into the ring,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “There is no better showman than Floyd and he backs up his legacy with amazing, one-of-a-kind skills. Victor Ortiz has shown us that he is a great fighter too and for the two of them to meet makes for a gigantic night for fans all over the world. It’s always a thrill to see Floyd fight and it’s even better when he faces the best out there such as a true champion like Ortiz. This is going to be a fight to remember. Sports fans have a lot to look forward to on September 17.”
“There is no doubt that September 17 will again be this year’s biggest night of boxing worldwide,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “When Floyd Mayweather fights, it is an event which brings fight fans, sports fans and the general public together to see this truly gifted athlete perform. Every year Floyd sets the bar and standard for most pay-per-view buys and this year will be no different. In Victor Ortiz, he is facing a young, strong and highly motivated world champion who knows that a win over the pound for pound champion will catapult him into superstardom. The stage is set and I can’t wait for the showdown of the year.”
Mayweather vs. Ortiz is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. A nationwide press tour is being planned for the week of June 20 with additional details about it and the fight to be announced shortly.
Brewer Ready to Show Guerrero a Real Fight!
Grady Brewer is set to meet undefeated Fernando Guerrero Friday June 17 in Austin on ESPN Friday night fights. At stake is the vacant NABF light middleweight title. Brewer (27-12, 15 KO’s) is coming into this bout with a recent unanimous decision win over Abel Perry, and is looking forward to the fight with Guerrero (21-0, 16 KO’s). “Guerrero is supposed to be somewhat of a prospect,” Brewer said. “I watched his fight with Ishe (Smith) and it was close, but I really think he lost.”
Prior to beating Perry, Brewer’s last fight was against Erislandy Lara a year and a half ago. “I’m really impatient to get some momentum back in my career,” Brewer said. “I’m strong and healed after the time off, and ready to face whatever comes my way. I still have the IBC title, and a defense of that isn’t out of the question.” He also would consider a rematch with Lara. “He doesn’t have what it takes to beat Paul Williams,” Brewer said. “And I’d love a rematch with him when I’m 100% healthy.” But he isn’t looking past Guerrero, and said their fight will be anything but easy for the young Dominican. “My conditioning is really good,” Brewer said. “and add to that the fact my fighting style, what some people say is awkward, the movements I can make during different situations in a fight, can be hard for a less experienced opponent like Guerrero. My power is 100% so he’s going to know by far, I will be his toughest fight.”
Tough fights are nothing new to Brewer, and that’s why he welcomes facing Guerrero. “Someone who is supposed to be a top prospect will bring out my best- and I’m ready to get in the ring with Guerrero and let him see what it’s like to have a real fight.”
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UNDEFEATED MIKE JONES SQUARES OFF WITH PHILLIE PHANATIC JUNE 8 AT CITIZENS BANK PARK
Philadelphia, PA – In preparation for his June 25 fight, undefeated welterweight Mike Jones is taking a risky, possibly ill-advised, tuneup on short notice when he faces off against the always dangerous and also undefeated Phillie Phanatic during the 5th inning of the Phillies-Dodgers game on June 8 at Citizens Bank Park.
“I haven’t been able to get the top names like (Manny) Pacquiao, (Floyd) Mayweather and (Andre) Berto in the ring with me, so I jumped at the opportunity to fight the Phanatic,” said Jones (24-0, 18 KOs), who also will fight Raul Munoz at the South Philly Arena (7 West Ritner St.).
“I will have my hands full with the Phanatic since he’s big, has a furry good defense, packs a big wallop and, under the terms of our hard-fought-out agreement, will be allowed to use his lethally long tongue. Plus, he’ll have the advantage of fighting in front of a sell-out crowd of over 45,000 fans of his at Citizens Bank Park. An incredible crowd for two top-notch undefeated pugilists. He’s tough and entertaining but when all is said and done, he’s one cool dude.”
The Phanatic had no decipherable comments when asked about his fight with Jones, but was last seen in heavy last-minute training and on-field taunting sessions.
People who attend the Jones-Phanatic showdown have the benefit of watching the Phillies-Dodgers game that night.
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If Mike Jones survives his June 8 clash with the Phillie Phanatic, he will fight Raul Munoz on Saturday evening, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner Street. The scheduled 10-round contest, which is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions, will be televised live by Fox Sports Net at 10 pm EST. The first of six additional bouts begins at 8 pm.
Tickets priced at $50 and $75 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922). They also ca be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.