Everyone has something to say about the upcoming May 1st bout between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Whether favoring Mayweather’s skill or Mosley’s power punching attack, it is a fight that many are dying to see and recently FanHouse's 'Embedded Correspondent' Elie Seckbach gathered some key opinions from people in the boxing world.
Seckbach first picked the brain of trainer Nazim Richardson, who will be working the corner of Mosley. Richardson has played an instrumental role in the corner of Bernard Hopkins’ in recent years and helped guide Shane to his January 2009 thrashing of Antonio Margarito. When looking at a Mayweather-Mosley matchup, Richardson feels it is all about style.
“We have to study and come up with a game plan that is beneficial to our style,” Richardson believes. “We need to force him to get uncomfortable. Remember, if you don’t deport, it’s hard for somebody to convince you to deport. Mayweather is a kid that doesn’t lose. It’s going to be hard to convince him to lose. That’s what we have to do, convince him that he can lose.”
When pressed for his thoughts on a potential matchup between Mosley and WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, Richardson seemed to look in another direction, focusing solely on Mosley’s ambitions in the sport.
“’Sugar’ Shane has one goal. He’s trying to become the third ‘Sugar’ in boxing history. That’s the only thing he can do; secure that legacy.”
Seckbach also got some insight from legendary Bernard Hopkins, who has an April 3rd grudge match with Roy Jones right around the corner. Like Mosley, Hopkins has found a way to remain relevant late in his career and seems to favor the Pomona fighter.
“Good fight, historic fight,” Hopkins points out. “A fight that should have been talked about before Floyd and Pacquiao but they wanted to go for the money. They wanted to go for what they perceived to be the bigger fight but we’re back to square one and that’s Mosley and Floyd. And I like Shane.”
Former champion WBA Jr. Welterweight champion Vivian Harris has compiled a 29-3 record in his day and was once thought to be a suitable opponent for Mayweather at 140 pounds. Harris’ career has been slightly under the radar since his upset loss to Carlos Maussa on June 25th, 2005, the same night that Mayweather bludgeoned Arturo Gatti. The Georgetown, Guyana native likes Mosley in the matchup for multitude of reasons.
“I definitely like ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley. I think he’s a stronger fighter, he has more experience, and he uses his punches wisely.”
Ring Magazine’s Doug Fisher believes that while both men have shown outstanding boxing ability at times in the past, that this fight is actually an excellent blend of styles.
“Tremendous Welterweight fight,” Fisher notes. “It’s a sort of a contrast in styles. Both guys are boxers but Shane Mosley is an aggressive boxer. He’s a fighter at heart. He goes to the body and he likes to come forward. Floyd Mayweather is probably the best defensive fighter I’ve ever covered live. He’s not Pernell Whitaker, he can be hit. But when he’s on he’s the best defensive fighter I’ve ever seen. It’s a good mesh.”
In closing Fisher believes that this is the exact opportunity that both men need at this point in their careers. For Mosley it’s a matter of pride while Mayweather has a chance to prove his doubters wrong.
“An aggressive guy and a defensive stylist. Floyd Mayweather is in his prime while Shane Mosley is a very well preserved 38 year old fighter. It’s a fight that Mosley wants. He was lobbying for it all of last year. Mayweather dismissed him and I think that hurt Shane’s pride. Shane is going to come out and he’s going to prove to Mayweather that he’s as good as he’s ever been and better than Mayweather. For Mayweather it’s a great opportunity to silence his critics.”
Clottey training at Contender’s Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Veteran trainer and two-time world champion John David Jackson confirmed to me that Accra, Ghana workhorse Joshua Clottey is training at his gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in preparation for his March 13th bout with Manny Pacquiao. The facility, known as ‘Contender’s Gym’, has played host to a wide range of talent over the years including former champions Nate Campbell and Randall Bailey, Super Middleweight contender Allan Green, Light Heavyweight Glen Johnson, as well as several local fighters.
Clottey’s Spartan like work ethic is a good fit for the sometimes raucous gym. Jackson stated that Clottey is sparring with his charge, 16-2 Welterweight Damian ‘Devo’ Frias, a southpaw from Placetas, Cuba. Jackson also noted that Clottey is a very strong fighter and that if he is to find a way to defeat Pacquiao it will be because he truly wants the win.
Source: examiner.com
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