• Boxing

Mayweather to Ortiz: Beat Berto, then we'll talk

ESPN staff
September 27, 2011
Victor Ortiz beat Andre Berto on points during April © PA Photos
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WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr has told Victor Ortiz he can have a rematch - if he gets past Andre Berto first.

Mayweather defeated Ortiz in controversial circumstances earlier this month, delivering the knockout punch when his opponent had his guard down and the referee was looking outside of the ring.

The new champion said afterwards that he would entertain the idea of giving Ortiz another shot, and now has added the Berto caveat. Ortiz ended Berto's unbeaten record with a shock points victory in April, which earned him the WBC strap.

"I'll give Ortiz a rematch but first he got to get past Andre Berto," Mayweather wrote on Twitter. "Does Victoria [sic] Ortiz want another rematch because he thinks he can win or does he want another payday?"

Mayweather made a similar proposition to Amir Khan during July, saying that their fight could only happen if the Brit first overcame Jessie Vargas, the unbeaten prospect who operates under Mayweather's ring.

However, after beating Ortiz, Mayweather hinted the Vargas ultimatum was intended to generate publicity for his young fighter - so it remains to be seen whether he holds a genuine interest in a Berto-Ortiz clash.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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