Is Floyd Jr's bout vs Ortiz a warm-up match before facing Pacquiao?

The long-awaited possible showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. may still push through after the undefeated American boxer announced that he will climb back into the ring this year. Mayweather announced on Twitter Wednesday that for his comeback fight, he will challenge reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 17. The 12-round title bout will be the first for the Grand Rapids, Michigan-born boxer after a 16-month layoff. Mayweather hasn't fought since scoring a lopsided 12-round decision against Sugar Shane Mosley in May last year. The uncertainty of Mayweather fighting again appeared to have doomed the match, two previous negotiations for which were stalled after both camps failed to agree on the drug testing protocol. But all that changed with one shout out from the brash-talking American. "I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there and for me, that is Victor Ortiz," said the 34-year-old Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 41 fights, 25 by way of knockout. Proposed Pacquiao-Mayweather bout revived? That surprising announcement from one of boxing's best fighters of all time, instantly thrilled fight fans around the world, long clamoring for a ring date between Pacquiao, considered the world's top pound-for-pound boxer today, and the unbeaten Mayweather in what may believe will be the biggest and richest bout of all-time. The Mayweather-Ortiz title encounter ironically, comes two months before Pacquiao himself stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt against long-time nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in what could be the third and final installment of one of boxing's greatest rivalries. The Pacquiao-Marquez bout is on November 12 at the MGM Grand also in Las Vegas. One good look and it appears both Mayweather and Pacquiao are going through preliminary bouts as they try to set up their highly-anticipated meeting hopefully, by next year. That Mayweather is taking on a dangerous opponent and a world champion at that in his comeback fight from a long layoff, also meant sending a possible signal that he's readying for a likely fight with Pacquiao by 2012. Floyd Jr to face younger foe "Floyd hasn't fought in 16 months. He's fighting a southpaw and Victor is bigger, younger, stronger and has knockout power. Obviously, Mayweather has skills, speed and great defense. It's going to be a very interesting fight," said Golden Boy Promotions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Schaefer. Ortiz, who stunned the boxing world with a close decision over Andre Berto last April to wrest the WBC 147-pound belt, said he's ready to take on the challenge of facing Mayweather in his first ever title defense. "I respect Mayweather because he has been a champion for many years and I know he will be ready, but so will I," said Ortiz, a native of Kansas City. "I'm a strong fighter and I have worked really hard to silence my critics. I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon. This is going to be a great fight, but I will remain a world champion for many years to come." "He (Ortiz) is the current champion and an extremely talented fighter, who showed amazing skills, and heart, in his last performance against Andre Berto," said Mayweather of Ortiz, the 24-year-old Mexican-American, whose promoter is Golden Boy. "At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me." Ortiz to be Floyd's 42nd victim? Typical of him, Mayweather already expressed confidence of moving past Ortiz and winning a sixth world championship. "Like the rest of my opponents, he (Ortiz) is going to try to prove that he can beat me," said Mayweather. "I commend him for accepting the fight, but on September 17, Ortiz is just going to be another casualty, the 42nd one who tried and failed. Trust me. I will be ready." – JVP, GMA News