Reporting from Las Vegas — Floyd Mayweather Jr. was back in his element, smiling for the cameras, trash-talking with his opponent, holding court with reporters and generally acting like a man who believes he is the best boxer of his generation.
In the days leading up to his title bout Saturday against World Boxing Council welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, Mayweather looked relaxed and sounded supremely confident ? as if he were preparing to deliver a tutorial to a younger, less experienced fighter who had no idea what he was really in for.
“It’s different on this level,” Mayweather said. “He’s used to ballrooms. I’m used to fighting in front of 17,000.
“I earned the right to be where I’m at today. The only thing I can do is what I do best: entertain.”
Call him a villain if you want, but Mayweather is 41-0 with 25 knockouts and the most successful pay-per-view fighter in the world.
“Floyd is motivated because he’s the best thing out here at this time in boxing, and he wants to show the world how great he is,” said his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather.
