Victor Ortiz says Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s style doesn’t impress him

Victor Ortiz returned to his childhood home in Garden City, Kan., to receive an award when he learned Tuesday he was officially Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s next opponent.

“It’s a cool thing, because ever since I was a kid, I’ve said I’ll be the first to defeat Mayweather, and now I’m on the doorstep of making it true,” Ortiz said Wednesday in his first public comments since the Sept. 17 fight for his welterweight title was announced.

“Mayweather’s quick, he’s a great fighter, but I’ve never been that impressed with his style,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz, 24, will begin training soon in Ventura for his bout against Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts). Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is less than two months removed from his biggest victory, a unanimous decision over former welterweight champ Andre Berto.

Mayweather, 34, will have been off for 16 months by the time he steps into the ring.

Obviously, it would seem wise for Ortiz to apply the same heavy-handed pressure he used successfully on Berto in his Mayweather bout. “That [fight plan] is in the hands of my coaches,” Ortiz said.

Going into this fight Mayweather faces several distractions, including three criminal cases, and the possibility of a lucrative 2012 super fight against Manny Pacquiao.

“I don’t think [Mayweather’s issues] matter,” Ortiz said. “He’s an elite fighter, one of the greatest of all time. At the end of the day, I think boxing and reality are two separate things.”

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

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