American Mayweather is widely regarded as one of the best
defensive fighters of all time and has compiled a flawless professional record
of 41-0 with 25 knockouts.
While undefeated five-division world champion Mayweather has
been installed as an odds-on favorite by bookmakers for their fight in Las
Vegas on Saturday, Ortiz firmly believes he can deliver a victory against a
challenger who is 10 years older and has not fought in 16 months.
"Floyd's overdue (a defeat), he's way overdue,"
Ortiz told reporters while preparing for the 12-round bout. "Forty-one of
those fighters were not me. Forty-one of those couldn't move like me.
"He has fought the same way every fight. Now, I don't
really care what he's got to bring. He's done. The moment they mentioned Victor
Ortiz versus Mayweather, he was done." Ortiz, (29-2-2, 22 KOs), did not
want the age factor to overshadow the victory which he has predicted for
himself at the MGM Grand.
"I want the actual Floyd Mayweather to show up,"
said the 24-year-old southpaw. "I don't need a Mayweather that's lost
speed or lost power or lost age.
"He's got that beautiful mouth of his that just never
stops so I want the best Floyd that is out there." The flamboyant
Mayweather, long renowned for his trash-talking, shrugged off the fact that he
has not fought since May last year when he beat fellow American Shane Mosley by
unanimous decision.
"I haven't showed it (ring rust) thus far ... I just
try to focus on going out there and doing my job," the 34-year-old said.
"I'm still very sharp, still strong. The reason why is because I don't
think I've been in any toe-to-toe wars.
"When a fighter's in a toe-to-toe war, a lot of wars,
it's wear and tear on the body. I haven't taken no abuse, so I thank God for
blessing me with this great defense." Mayweather, who prides himself on
lightning hand speed and agile movement around the ring, predicted an early
knockout on Saturday.
"He's looking for the knockout and I'm looking for the
knockout, so I can guarantee you it won't go the distance," he said.
"Right from the gate, I'm aggressive. I'm coming straight ahead.
"I'm going to go in there with class and will leave
there with class. I don't have to brag, I don't have to boast. I'm going to go
in there and execute the game plan." Mexican-American Ortiz, who took the
WBC welterweight title from Andre Berto in April with an unanimous points
victory, said he had never been especially impressed by Mayweather's
credentials.
"Floyd is a good fighter but I've never thought he was
great," Ortiz added. "Ever since I was a kid, I would sit back and
think; 'Wow, that guy is great.' Oscar (De La Hoya) was one of those for me.
Mosley was one of those for me.
"Floyd, not his prime, not in his comeback, not in his
anything has he ever been that to me. I'm definitely not impressed and I'm not
a person who's going to hold any kind of respect like those 41 other
victims."
