• Boxing

Mayweather admits suffering from rustiness

ESPN staff
August 22, 2011

Floyd Mayweather Jnr concedes he was lacking sharpness when he first returned to the gym following a long period of inactivity.

The unbeaten American will fight for the first time in 16 months when he takes on Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on September 17.

Although he has had spells out of the ring throughout his career - there was a near two-year gap between fights against Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez - Mayweather says it still takes a little time to get himself back up to speed.

"When I first got to the gym, I admit that I was not as sharp as I want to be," he told the Los Angeles Times. "But everyone says now that I'm as sharp as a razor. I'm feeling fast, and I have some good sparring partners in here. They're not pushing me around, and I'm getting top-notch work."

Meanwhile, Mayweather has accused Ortiz of being irresponsible for letting his weight fluctuate ahead of their battle. "He's bigger, but is [Ortiz] the smarter, more disciplined fighter? I'm walking around at 150 [pounds for the 147-pound fight], not [160-plus] like him," Mayweather said.

"I'm responsible. I believe my speed remains, and we know how everyone describes me as a defensive fighter. I'm not in this sport to take punishment. I'll be fine."

Meanwhile, Ortiz has returned to training after a back problem forced him to miss a day last week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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