"If you mention my name to Floyd his knees will start buckling at the thought of having to fight me!"

GL: What's the latest and greatest Ricardo? What did you think about the Mayweather-Hatton fight? "It was a great performance by Floyd. I don't think Ricky Hatton had much of a chance going into this fight and Floyd proved that to be correct."

GL: Were you surprised Floyd stopped him? What do you think of Mayweather as a fighter?

Ricardo Mayorga: "I think it not only shocked me, but it should have shocked a lot of people. I don't think a lot of people thought Floyd was going to win this one by knockout, even though everybody knew he was going to win the fight. If you really analyze the boxers out there, and I've sat down and thought about this a lot, I keep seeing myself as the only one who can really give him a great fight, but not only give him a great fight, give him a beatdown. That's the way I feel."

GL: I imagine you'd have to lose quite a bit of weight to administer such a beating, do you plan on fighting at 147 in your next fight?

RM: "I'm salivating at the thought of fighting at 147 pounds again, the thought of being able to put on 8 ounce gloves on my left and my right fist makes me salivate at the thought of being able to KO Mayweather."

GL: How do you deal with all that speed, skill and defense?

RM: "It's pretty simple. He's got all of that, but the mistake everybody makes is that they're always head hunting with him. It's hard to hit him in the head. I would break his body down, I would break his defense down, I would break his arms if I have to, but knocking Mayweather out is what I'd end up doing. I'm positive when they mention my name to Floyd his knees will start buckling at the thought of having to step into the ring with me."

GL: Vernon Forrest has made it clear that he wants a third fight with you, is that something that interests you?

RM: "Honestly, I feel bad for the guy. I've punished him twice and I think that would be enough. I don't want to have to fight him a third time, I'd rather just lay off of him."

GL: But at the same time if it was a situation where a third fight with Forrest is the biggest payday out there, you wouldn't take that fight?

RM: "Let's be realistic. There's no way he's worth what Floyd would bring to the table, so he's not really an option at this point."

GL: Mayweather might take 2008 off. What's the earliest you could be ready to fight at 147?

RM:  "After the Holidays I will begin working in Janurary and I will be ready to fight at 147 in March or April. There's too much money involved and Floyd loves money too much to let the payday pass him by. Remember I used to be the best at 147 and I don't feel like I've ever lost at that weight. I'll become the best in the world again, there's no way Floyd beats me."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

RM: "Floyd had a good fight, but this is about money. I'll take it easy on him during the press conference, I'll let him act like a man with me so we can both make a lot of money with this fight. But make no mistake about it, Mayweather fights me, he loses for the first time. To my fans, thank you for the support.

M

Send questions and comments to: gleon@boxingtalk.com