• Boxing

Mayweather takes dig at Pacquiao and Khan

ESPN staff
August 17, 2011
Floyd Mayweather Jnr fights Victor Ortiz on September 17 © Getty Images
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Floyd Mayweather Jnr has fired back at his critics by claiming that his next opponent, the WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, is "the best out there".

Mayweather, whose clash with Ortiz will be his first fight in over a year, has been admonished for choosing the American, and not Manny Pacquiao, for his comeback bout.

He also invited attack by claiming he was not willing to face Amir Khan as the Brit did not represent a big enough draw, which Khan countered with the fact that Ortiz has previously fought on his undercards.

Nonetheless, Mayweather reckons that Ortiz's against-the-odds win over Andre Berto in his most recent bout is proof of his star quality. "I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there," Mayweather said.

"For me, that is Ortiz. 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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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