Dec 24 2010
Pacquiao-Mosley Fight: What to Expect
Now that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is out of the picture, boxing promoter Bob Arum decided to choose Sugar Shane Mosley as an alternative. The initial date is set on May 7, 2011 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. However, boxing analysts have mixed reactions on this match up. Many believed that this fight could again turn into one sided boxing clinic since Mosley is already on his twilight years in boxing. On the other hand, some argued that this is also an interesting fight. Shane Mosley had 3 world titles in different divisions. He once holds the championship belt in lightweight, welterweight and light-middleweight. As a veteran boxer, he can still handle Manny Pacquaio.
In an interview with Boxing Scene, Mosley said that he can beat Pacquaio. “Pacquiao’s defense is not as good as Floyd Mayweather’s defense. I think I can probably win a decision but I am going into the fight to knock Manny out,” Mosley said. Mosley knows that Pacquiao will aim for a knock out as what he did in most of his fights. “I am pretty sure that Manny will be trying to knock me out as well- that is why it is going to be a great contest. We are two guys who are willing to fight,” Mosley added.
Though Pacquiao will be favored in this fight (because of his speed, strength and age advantage), he does not belittling Mosley’s capabilities. “For me, I need 8 weeks training for this fight. This is going to be a difficult fight,” said Pacquiao.
Fighters at a Glance
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, who have in his record 8 world titles in different divisions, never lost in his 13 consecutive fights. The pound for pound king will be fighting a black American for the first time. Most of his fights were against Mexican boxers who are considered as tough fighters. Mosley has to endure the speed and power of Pacquiao to win the fight. Pacquiao only lost 3 times in his entire professional boxing career.
Sugar Shane Mosley at 39, made an unimpressive draw against Mexican-American Sergio Mora last September. He was also beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their 12 rounds match up in May at the MGM Grand. Mosley has 54 fights in the pro boxing and 6 losses.
Steroid Issues not A Problem
Top Rank Promotions told the media that the talks between Pacquaio and Mosley is not yet final as no contract has been signed yet. But it is already certain that the fight will happen since the financial issues have been settled. Mosley is guaranteed $5 million prize money plus incentive from the PPV sales. Analysts say that Mosley would be reaping at least $8 million in this fight.
For Bob Arum, this is already a done deal. Pacquiao versus Mosley fight will happen. Steroid issue is not a problem as both camps did not make this as a major condition in the fight. Mosley was involved in the use of anabolic steroids before. In fact, the former BALCO founder Victor Conte posted in a video sharing site Mosley’s admission of steroid use. Mosley is one the pro athletes who purchased products from the BALCO, a Bay Area lab involved in selling designer steroids to professional athletes.
Manny Pacquaio was also accused by the camp of Floyd Mayweather of using steroids. It was the main issue in their stalled fight but when Pacquaio agreed on the Olympic style blood testing, Mayweather did not sign the contract. Instead he chooses Shane Mosley.
Boxing promoter Bob Arum is optimistic that Pacquiao-Mosley bout will be a good one. “I believe it will be an exciting fight. Shane knows how to fight and how to deal with the speed. Manny is in for a hellacious fight. I really believe styles make fights,” said Arum.
[...] brag about his undisputed record in the ring. He was the best pound for pound king but not until Manny Pacquiao unseated him with 8 division world championship belts. Mayweather still claim that he is the best [...]