Is Floyd Mayweather Looking to the Future? Freddie Roach Believes So

Freddie Roach, the trainer of Manny Pacquiao, told the Associated Press in a telephone interview on Wednesday that he believes Floyd Mayweather Jr is fighting Victor Ortiz in preparation for Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) made the announcement earlier this week via his Twitter account that he is fighting the recently crowned WBC welterweight champion, "Vicious" Victor Ortiz on September 17.

Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is a southpaw who is fast and powerful just like Manny Pacquiao. But lets make this clear...he is no Manny Pacquiao.

Roach told the AP, that a fight with Ortiz, "would help Mayweather get ready for a fight with Pacquiao."

The constant debate is that Mayweather "struggles" with southpaws and he hasn't fought many. His last fight with a lefty was in April 2006 when he defeated Zab Judah in a unanimous decision.

It took Floyd a few rounds to get adjusted to Zab's lightning speed and southpaw style until he finally took over the fight and overwhelmed Zab with lead right hands, counter-attacks and the ability to elude a lot of Judah's flurry of punches.

So, is Floyd Mayweather preparing for a fight with Manny Pacquiao possibly in March or May of 2012?

Its seems like the perfect scenario:

Both fighters are fighting in the latter part of the year. Leaving open the entire first five months of 2012.

Floyd Mayweather is fighting a fast and powerful southpaw compared to Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in November. Marquez is considered one of the better counter-punchers in the sport, just like Mayweather.

It all adds up. 

Lets just hope Freddie Roach is right.