Mayweather vs. Ortiz: talk turns to Pacquiao

At a news conference intended to kick off a promotional tour for the Sept.17 bout between undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. and newly crowned WBC welterweight champ Victor Ortiz, the prospect of a different matchup was heavily discussed Tuesday. That would be the highly anticipated clash between Mayweather and boxing's other megastar, Manny Pacquiao. Fans will be happy to hear Mayweather, nicknamed "Money" with good reason, left the door open to that. Before he spoke in front of a packed house at Hudson Theater in Manhattan in a news conference that was open to the public, the six-time world champion in five weight divisions heard scattered shouts from fans of "We want Pacquiao." Their voices were heard. "Do I want to fight Pacquiao? Absolutely," Mayweather said. He reiterated his demand for random blood and urine tests to ensure that both fighters were free of performance-enhancing drugs, a condition Ortiz agreed to for their bout at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (HBO pay-per-view). "I never said Pacquiao was cheating," said Mayweather, who is named in a defamation suit filed by Pacquiao. "I just said, 'Me and everybody I fight must take the test. If you beat me, I want you to earn it. I don't want anything to be tainted' I don't want to say, 'He beat me because of this or that.' Just take the test." Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) has been criticized by some who think he is avoiding a showdown with Pacquiao, whose ability to fight at an extraordinary pace allowed him to steamroll recent opponents. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, insisted the potential matchup was not at all daunting. "It would be an easy fight, trust me," he said, adding they thought Pacquiao, while working quickly, made numerous mistakes that resulted in opportunities. Mayweather, 34, noted his career was winding down and envisioned fewer than 10 bouts remaining. It appears Pacquiao is very much on his short list. "That's what I want to give fans, but I can't overlook Victor Ortiz." Mayweather will be ending a 16-month layoff since beating Sugar Shane Mosley in May 2010. Mayweather is beset by legal woes, including various assault allegations. One of those involves the mother of his children. In another, a nightclub bouncer alleges the boxer's bodyguards attacked and injured him after receiving a signal to do so. Mayweather wouldn't discuss those issues, except to say, "Young, black and rich, you go through things. But I'm a strong individual, and I can survive anything." He emphasized he wouldn't overlook Ortiz (29-2-2) and he thought extensive sparring sessions will provide the key to knocking off any ring rust vs. the hard-punching southpaw who is 10 years younger. Ortiz has won his last six fights, most recently a unanimous 12-round decision vs. Andre Berto that brought him the WBC welterweight crown he will risk in September. He was placed in foster care at 13 and took a difficult road to reach this point. "I don't have anything to lose," he said of his willingness to take on such an huge challenge. "The (only) thing I have to my name is a damn Toyota. That's it." Mayweather, asked if he would have a gaping hole in his résumé if he never fought Pacquiao, replied, "The main thing is retiring happy. Am I happy? Absolutely."