By Vitali Shaposhnikov: In a recent interview with Los Angeles Times, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0-0) seems very confident and concentrated on his upcoming bout against Victor Ortiz (29-2-2) on September 17th at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas.
“I push myself to the limit. That’s why I’m where I’m at. I’ll show the fight fans I’m still capable of taking time off and performing, coming back again against a top pound-for-pound opponent,’ say Mayweather Jr.
There is nothing impossible or improbable in his statement, as we have seen Floyd do this before. There have been some speculations and criticism on his training, when someone spotted Floyd partying at a club instead of training before a fight. As his record shows, his partying routine does not seem to be a deterrent to his boxing performance and career. “The layoff won’t hurt me. It helps me. I get mentally stronger,” says Floyd when asked what kind of an effect taking time off may have on him.
“He’s bigger, but is [Ortiz] the smarter, more disciplined fighter?” asks Mayweather Jr. when talking about his next opponent Victor Ortiz. I think I would like a stab at this question, as I think the answer is indisputably clear: Ortiz is certainly bigger, but he is nowhere near Floyd’s ring I.Q. and his controlled and accurate attitude in the ring.
I am not one of those people who give Ortiz no shot at beating Floyd, as this is boxing we are talking about, and as history shows, absolutely anything is possible. Still, to pick a winner with your wallet, fans must put their hearts away, and think about the facts. Mayweather has absolutely all the tools needed to make their fight look like a sparring session for Floyd. For Ortiz, he is going against the odds, trying to beat a man that has never been beaten before, where many great fighters have failed at their attempt.
Question for you, reader: do you think that Ortiz will try to jump on Mayweather Jr. in an attempt to overpower him and end the fight early, or will he try to take his time with careful and patient demeanor?
Los Angeles Times Interview with Floyd Mayweather Jr. : http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/21/sports/la-sp-floyd-mayweather-20110822.