By James Slater – Both challenger Floyd Mayweather Junior and defending WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz comfortably came inside the limit at the WBC’s 30-day, pre-fight safety weigh-in that took place yesterday. Mayweather, with still a month to go until fight night, tipped-in at 149; just a couple of pounds over the welterweight limit. While “Vicious” Victor came in at a little over 157.
The highest either guy could have weighed in at is 162-pounds, so both men are right on target with the safety of making welterweight without any risk of dehydration..
Also fighting that night will be Erik Morales against Lucas Matthysse at 140-pounds, and Saul Alvarez against Alfonso Gomez at 154. Morales came in yesterday at 153, while Matthysse scaled 147.5. “Canelo” weighed half-a-pound above 165, and Gomez tipped-in at 161. All six fighters looked to be in great shape already, and there could well be three excellent and exciting bouts taking place on the September 17th “Star Power” pay-per-view card.
It is the Mayweather-Ortiz fight that has the fans most excited, though.
Mayweather, a true pro who never, ever allows himself to get anything approaching out of shape, says he respects Ortiz for taking the fight, but that he will become “victim number 42.”
As fans know, “Money” is currently 41-0(24) and, while he is taking on a risky, young, hard-hitting rival in Ortiz, most feel he will do as he says he will and keep his perfect record.
“Ortiz is an extremely talented fighter with amazing skills and heart,” Floyd said of his upcoming foe. “But on September 17th Ortiz is just going to be another casualty.”
Ortiz naturally says otherwise, stating not only that he will beat Mayweather, but that he told people many years ago he would one day fight the man he grew up watching and become the first man to defeat him. Mayweather is a huge betting favourite to prevent Ortiz’ dream from coming true, yet Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer is excited at the prospect of the “Star Power” event outdoing the hugely successful Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya fight in terms of pay-per-view hits.
“Based on early indications I have a very good feeling,” Schaefer said. “All indicators are that they are ahead of Floyd Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya.”
Will Floyd’s latest fight really outsell his May “The World Awaits” extravaganza with “The Golden Boy?” That super-fight got 2.4 million buys – the current record for pay-per-view buys in boxing. Mayweather-Ortiz is an intriguing fight, but it will be some surprise if it proves to be a bigger hit with the fans than Mayweather-De La Hoya did.