Floyd Mayweather Thanks God Before Big Fight vs. Victor Ortiz
Floyd Mayweather made sure to thank God before his highly publicized pay-per-view fight against Victor Ortiz on Saturday.
In the final press conference before the fight, Mayweather made sure to thank God before speaking about his ability to win the sparring match.
“First off I always gotta acknowledge, I have to thank God,” Mayweather said as he took the stage at the press conference. “Because without God none of this would be possible."
The undefeated now welterweight fighter will step in the ring for the first time in 16 months. Although many have been anticipating a match between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Filipino boxer and congressman, Saturday’s match seems to be a warm up for a potential match next spring.
Mayweather said if he beats Ortiz, and Pacquiao defeats Juan Manuel Marquez in November, and then takes a drug test, he will fight the Filipino.
“You keep hearing Pacquiao, Pacquiao, Pacquiao," Mayweather said, according to CBS Sports. "I'm not ducking and dodging anyone. I'm not hiding from any opponent. If you're the best, take the test and we'll fight."
The fight against Ortiz will earn Mayweather an estimated $20 million. Ortiz will be the 42nd fight in the professional career of Mayweather, nicknamed “Pretty Boy Floyd” and “Money Mayweather.”
Although Mayweather is a fan favorite, Ortiz is one decade younger than the 34-year-old boxer who has not stepped into a ring since his fight against Shane Mosley last May.
At the official weigh-in, Ortiz clocked in at 147 pounds, while Mayweather weighed 146.5. No matter which challenges next await him, Mayweather said he will be willing to face them as the best fighter in the sport.
“They say, ‘This guy is too small,' and then I fight another guy and they say, ‘This guy is too big,’” Mayweather said during the final press conference before Saturday’s fight. “After Saturday night, they are going to say, ‘Floyd Mayweather had too much experience.’ Then if I’m up in my 30s and fight another guy in his 30s, they’ll say, ‘That guy is too old.’ But I’m not too old. I’m always in a no-win situation. The only thing I can do is go out there and keep winning, keep proving myself over and over again.”