Boxing News 24/7Denzil Stone – Atlantic City
Following a recent interview on a radio show, defensively-savvy Floyd Mayweather Jr indicated that he could return to the ring as early as February, 2012, however, the talented American – undefeated in 42 professional prizefights – has corrected reports he will fight in three months by reiterating that he returns to the ring for the Cinco de Mayo date. An opponent for the current WBC welterweight world championship incumbent is yet to be announced.
Floyd will return in May, not February. Credit: Stacey Verbeek - Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas
“I just want to get back in the ring and give the fans some more,” Mayweather said – in an admission he wants to box as actively as possible – when speaking to Boxing Socialist.
“But May is the date,” he stated. “May 1st [sic] or 5th [Saturday] whatever.”
Mayweather (42-0-0, 26ko) interrupted a 16-month sojourn from the sport of boxing to take on the young and hungry Victor Ortiz in September. Ortiz had just come off a huge win in April, when he beat down, out-hustled and out-pointed long-reigning WBC titlist Andre Berto in an edge-of-the-seat encounter that contained a potential round-of-the-year due to a thrilling sixth.
Ortiz did not get to make one successful defence of the championship, though, as he was knocked out in the fourth round by Mayweather.
Initially, it was unclear whether Floyd would embark on a further lengthy spell away from the sweet science, but the pugilist expressed a desire to satisfy his fans’ calls to fight at least twice per year and so he duly reserved the popular prizefighting date of May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) for next year at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. What makes May 5 even more alluring is that, for 2012, it falls on the Saturday.
Speculated opponents have been Sergio Martinez, Erik Morales and Robert Guerrero.
Mayweather, though, will not discount welterweight and pound-for-pound rival Manny Pacquiao, providing he undergo Olympic style blood testing; something Floyd insists all his opponents do: “If you’re the best, take the test.
“I’m not singling out one man. There is so much cheating going on in the sport, that’s why every man I face will have to take the test. I’m trying to clean up the sport.”
Related article: Roger Mayweather and Floyd Sr on Manny Pacquiao and Sergio Martinez
Related article: Floyd Mayweather remains Freddie Roach’s first choice for Manny Pacquiao
Related article: Martinez ‘certain’ Mayweather Jr fight will be confirmed, heralds Pacquiao as world’s best
Related article: Schaefer wants to arrange biggest fight for Mayweather, but Arum not ready to negotiate for Pacquiao
Related article: Who should Floyd Mayweather Jr fight next?
For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here
onthebeak@gmail.com
[...] American – undefeated in 42 professional prizefights – has corrected … Read more on On The Beak (function() {var s = document.createElement('SCRIPT'), s1 = [...]