May the force be with Mosley

SO at last Floyd Mayweather has signed to face Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas.
No fight could be as big as Mayweather-Pacquiao right now, but Mayweather-Mosley is a more than decent match-up.

Mosley may be 38 and hasn't fought since last January but he's a former P4P No 1 with a very impressive CV.

He'd be a much bigger name if some of his promoters had really got behind him and he's the kind of fighter that I would like to have worked with.

When Mosley beat Oscar De La Hoya a decade ago he should have become a major name.

He appeared at Madison Square Garden in his next fight but in the theatre, rather than its main arena.

The winner of Mayweather-Mosley should, logically, face the winner of Pacquiao's fight next month with Joshua Clottey.

There are some big fights on the horizon and it's going to be interesting to see how UK TV is going to broadcast them.

Haye-Ruiz on April 3 is on Sky pay-per-view and Amir Khan's proposed fight on May 15 against Juan Manuel Marquez is also likely to be only available to those who pay for it.

Whether Sky will gamble on making Mayweather-Mosley PPV as well remains to be seen. Meanwhile WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch was kicking up a fuss about having to go to Herning in Denmark to face Mikkel Kessler.

Froch wanted the fight in Copenhagen so British fans could get there, but once he'd made the decision to fight abroad, he couldn't really have much complaint about the venue.

Our fighters have gone to far worse places over the years - I'm sure Herning is a walk in the park compared to South America - and Froch fought Jermain Taylor in the back of beyond in the States.

Back in the day, Ken Buchanan went to Puerto Rico to win his world title, and his fans couldn't even watch the fight on television at home.

I remember taking Robin Reid when he won his WBC title in Italy against Vincenzo Nardiello, Robin coped with the hostile reception well.

From my experience of promoting in Copenhagen, the fans there are some of the best in the world, and really appreciate their boxing. He should have just got on with it this week because he's now got a great chance of beating Kessler on April 17. The Dane looked awful in his last fight.


Source: thesun.co.uk

The Rumble Interviews Shane Mosley

Chris Littman of The Sporting Blog is on assignment in Miami for the Super Bowl, where he managed to catch up with welterweight champion Shane Mosley at a Reebok Zigtech event. Chris was kind enough to ask Shane a few questions for the Rumble.

Shane's long awaited fight with Floyd Mayweather was finalized earlier this week after a proposed bout with Andre Berto fell though due to the tragedy in Haiti. While Mayweather-Mosley isn't quite as exciting as Mayweather-Pacquiao, it's a fight boxing fans have been waiting to see for years. It's great to see the classy Mosley get another huge fight.

Mosley is taking some time off from training before he ramps up for the Mayweather fight on May 1. Shane seems confident in his ability to beat Mayweather, though it will be a difficult task.




Shane also talks about his belief that Antonio Margarito - who had his boxing license revoked for attempting to use illegal handwraps in their fight last year - should be given the opportunity to box again. Shane gives his pick for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight and says he would love a chance to meet Pacquiao if the opportunity arises.

Thanks again to Chris for his excellent work.


Source: sportingnews.com

Floyd Deserves Credit For Letting Mosley Handpick Him

There were signals that Floyd Mayweather wanted nothing to do with sharing a boxing with Shane Mosley, as evidenced by their in-ring confrontation after the Marquez fight and some of the negative media comments Floyd made about Mosley as an possible opponent, but time (and/or PRESSURE) has a way of changing things and now the fight appears set for May 1.

Though this fight will lack the magnitude of the aborted Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Superfight, Mosley and Mayweather could turn into something special. If Mosley, at 39, is still the devastating force he was in the Margarito KO performance, he will challenge Mayweather with some dangerously complicated weapons the undefeated former Welterweight champ has never had to deal with. Without question, Mosley has the combination of speed, power, explosiveness, durability and experience which Mayweather has never had to worry about. And Mosley has the qualities to walk through Mayweather’s arsenal and unleash a wicked, brutal beating.

Everybody assumes but no one really knows for sure if Mayweather really is a grade A welterweight who can survive at the elite level where Cotto, Mosley, Pacquiao and Williams roam. Of course Mayweather was able to succeed against the faded part-time boxer De La Hoya, junior weltweight Hatton, lightweight Marquez, 36-year-old Baldomir and underachieving Judah, but Cotto, Mosley and Pacquiao are on a higher level. And Mosley surely possesses what it takes to prevent Floyd from dictating terms like he has been able to do in his welterweight matches.

The other mystery about this fight is why has Mayweather suddenly changed his tune about fighting Mosley when he has demonstrated on numerous occasions in the past that he did not want the fight? It’s probable that extreme and united pressure from Golden Boy and HBO – and a total lack of other acceptable options – forced Mayweather to bite the Mosley bullet.

The sport of boxing is the big winner now and after the failure to make the Super Bowl Event for March 13, this compelling matchup between Mayweather and Mosley can produce major excitement and buzz. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that there is definitely animosity and bad blood between Mayweather and Mosley which will very likely percolate and rumble during the press conference war of words. A fight like this is infinitely more enjoyable to observe when the two gladiators do not like each other and are disagreeable, for examples: Ali & Frazier, Tarver & Jones, Lewis & Tyson, Duran & Leonard.

If Mosley and Mayweather treat each other cordially from this point on to fight night, and a cordial type fight is performed on May 1st it will be another big disappointment for boxing and most of the paying customers who have been waiting to see Mayweather in with a legitamite top welterweight like Mosley.

Let’s hope Mayweather will talk sh** like he normally does and will do his best to add friction to the event. Because we all know Mosley is a sensational, ferocious, action fighter even when he really likes and respects the opponent (Cotto, Oscar, Forrest, Margarito, etc). With disrespect from a loudmouth punk like Mayweather, Mosley could have double the incentive to destroy Floyd and could put on a more intense and explosive performance than we have ever seen from him during his Hall of Fame career.

This fight is speed vs. speed, champion vs. champion. Two totally contrasting warriors at different stages of their illustrious careers. One is a humble gentleman well liked by everyone in the sport, fans, peers, media. The other is an arrogant, spoiled, immature, disrespectful, lying and deceiving businessman who doesn’t really care about the sport or it’s fans. But this time he has gone against his standard operating procedure and will finally take one of the most respected and dangerous champions of this modern era, Sugar Shane Mosley.

It will be a classic prizefight with fireworks, explosions, deft skillwork, hostility and much more. The hunted vs. the hunter. The handpicker who this time got handpicked himself. May the best man win.


Source: boxinginsider.com

Pacquiao eyes unification fight vs. Mosley

Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is eyeing a title unification fight with “Sugar” Shane Mosley as early as July this year, should both hurdle their coming fights. Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Joshua Clottey on March 13, while Mosley has signed a contract staking his World Boxing Association (WBA) welter belt against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1.

Pacquiao, who is currently training for his coming fight in Los Angeles, thinks Mosley will beat Mayweather convincingly in their May showdown booked at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

If that happens, and assuming he gets past Clottey in the first defense of his WBO title, then a unification mega bout between him and Mosley is the logical thing to do.

“Shane like [me] will force pressure on Floyd for every minute of every round,” Pacquiao told Violito
Tanamor of TheBoxingHistorian.com.

“Shane has fought the best in the welterweight division for over a decade and has faced the best the division has to offer. I think he will be too much for Mayweather and will stop Floyd.”

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach is confident his prized Filipino student will beat Clottey and will then face the winner of Mosley-Mayweather in July.

Pacquiao made it clear that he is not looking past Clottey and is training very hard for the bigger and stronger slugger from Ghana.

He also said he is quite excited to be fighting before a huge live audience at the modern Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

“I feel honored and privileged to be fighting in such a venue,” he said.

Pacquiao-Mosley would be more exciting than Pacquiao-Mayweather because of the boxers’ style of fighting.

Roach, a four-time Trainer of the Year, said in a previous interview that a match-up between PacMan and Mayweather could be boring because the latter loves to run and is a defense-oriented fighter.

In contrast, Mosley is a come-forward boxer-puncher just like Pacquiao, and both have high knockout ratios at the highest levels of fighting.

Pacquiao has scored four consecutive KO wins against elite opponents in his last four fights, namely: David Diaz, ninth round KO; Oscar De La Hoya, eighth round TKO; Ricky Hatton, second round KO; and Miguel Cotto, 12th round TKO.

Pacquiao collected world titles at lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight and cemented his stature as the world’s best pound-for-pound in those four super fights.

Mosley, on the other hand, won his WBA title by stopping the favored Antonio Margarito in the ninth round of their January 24 title fight.

Before that, he knocked out the brash former welterweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga with barely a few seconds left in the final round in July 2008.


Source: manilatimes.net

Whew, Mayweather signs to fight Mosley, but angst still there

Anxiety gave way to relief Wednesday when it was announced that Floyd Mayweather, Jr., had finally signed for a May 1 fight with Shane Mosley, whose promotional point man, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, sounded as though the wait for Mayweather’s signature was a little bit like anticipating a dental appointment.

As it turns out, it was routine, a mere formality. Let’s just hope it stays that way until opening bell at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand for a May Day of a fight that won’t generate as much money as Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao would have, but promises to be as good, if not better.
The temptation is to say thanks to Mayweather for a convincing counter to everybody who parrots Bob Arum’s criticism that he is afraid of any threat to his unbeaten record. Well, Mosley, a natural welterweight, is that threat, bigger on a tale of the tape than Pacquiao, a relative newcomer to 147 pounds.

But you can never be sure with Mayweather. Schaefer’s angst, reflected in various news reports, sums up the uncertainty about a fighter with wonderful talents, yet as hard to pin down as he is to hit. Mayweather’s unpredictability is good for HBO’s 24/7, but exasperating for everybody else, including media quick to report that Mayweather had not signed only four days after the agreement — complete with Mosley’s signature — was announced.

The delay, not matter how brief, was enough to make everybody wonder what Mayweather was up to now. Plenty of skepticism is left in the messy wake of failed negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, which won’t happen on March 13 because Pacquiao said no to Mayweather’s demand for random, Olympic-style blood-testing. Everybody has been blamed, which only means that nobody’s reputation escapes unscathed.

Mayweather and Mosley now are scheduled to be in south Florida Sunday for the Super Bowl Sunday. It’s an interesting setting. Mayweather-Pacquiao had been called boxing’s Super Bowl. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees will never have to explain why the Colts and Saints couldn’t agree to a game. I’m not sure Mayweather will be able to explain why he couldn’t agree on a fight with Pacquiao. But it is safe say he will hear the questions and I’m sure he will blame Pacquiao, although familiar trash-talk might be punctuated with caution because of a defamation lawsuit.

Mistrust is everywhere. Mayweather-Mosley represents a real chance to move on. But it won’t be easy. In just a few days, the familiar jitters were there with questions about when – indeed, if — Mayweather would sign. The abortive talks for Mayweather-Pacquiao are just the latest reason.

In September, there was weight-gate before, during and after Mayweather’s unanimous decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. At 146 pounds on the day before the fight, Mayweather failed to meet the catch weight, 144, and willingly wrote a check for $600,000 — $300,000 for each excess pound – to Marquez.

From a ringside seat the next night, Mayweather often looked like a middleweight, especially when his back was to me. I can’t help but think it was no coincidence that he refused to step on unofficial scales for HBO not long before opening bell. After the one-sided fight, he dissed anybody who wanted to know how he heavy he was.

There are some things Mayweather just doesn’t want anybody to know. No wonder Schaefer and many in the media were nervous.

Here’s a suggestion: Andre Berto withdrew from a bout on Jan 30 with Mosley because of concern for family caught in the Haitian earthquake. Tell Berto to stay in the gym. You never know.

NOTES, QUOTES

· According to various reports, Mayweather and Mosley will undergo Olympic-style drug testing. Given Mayweather’s demand in talks for Pacquiao, he will have to insist on the procedure from now on. For Mosley, it’s a significant step. He was linked to performance-enhancers years ago in testimony to a grand jury investigating Balco. What’s not clear is who will conduct the tests. The Nevada State Athletic Commission? The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency? And who will pay for the tests? The fighters? The promoters? The lousy economy would seem to preclude any state commission from taking on the expense.

· News from the World Boxing Association says it will investigate Beibut Shumenov’s controversial split decision over Gabriel Campillo for the light-heavyweight championship on Jan. 29 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. While the acronym is at it, how about a few questions asking how a fighter, Shumenov, with only 10 pro bouts could even qualify for a shot at so-called major title?

· Intriguing Jose Benavidez, a 17-year-old junior-welterweight from Phoenix, is scheduled for his second pro fight on Feb. 13 against an unannounced foe at the Las Vegas Hilton on a card, Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3, featuring super-flyweight Nonito Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) against Gerson Guerrero (43-8, 26 KOs). There’s been some hope that Benavidez could help resurrect a Phoenix market, mostly dormant since Arizona began to enforce tough immigration laws. “I’d really love to fight in Phoenix,’’ Benavidez said. “Hey, it’s my hometown.’’

· And kudos to Chad Dawson, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Top Rank for promises to help in the Haiti relief. Dawson said he has started Champions Challenge. He has invested $5,000 of his money has asked other champs to match it. Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, says he will donate his purse from a fight Friday night against Adolfo Landeros in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to the Children of Haiti Fund. Top Rank announced it is setting aside a percentage of ticket receipts for the earthquake victims.


Source: 15rounds.com

Mosley vs. Mayweather finally a true test

He has taken a real beating from the fans and the writers. Floyd Mayweather Jr has been the subject of many topics. These topics range from being arrogant to cherry picking his opponents in order to stack an undefeated record. When the notion that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao may happen, the fans all got excited and prayed that the fight would get done. Of course everyone knows now that the fight has proven difficult to get done, then throw in a lawsuit filed by Pacquiao against Mayweather for slander, and bam, no fight.

As a result of the fight falling through, the Floyd haters were even more angry and they pulled no punches voicing their opinions throughout the boxing forums. Mayweather's legacy took a hit, and his reputation of taking safe fights grew even worse.
It took a natural disaster in Haiti to finally get Floyd Mayweather Jr to sign a contract against an opponent who has a legitimate chance of beating him. In steps "Sugar" Shane Mosley, who was looking for an opponent after Andre Berto pulled out of the fight. Berto is from Haiti, and as we all know the earthquake hit his nation very hard.

Shane Mosley has impressive wins over Oscar De La Hoya (twice) Fernando Vargas, Ricardo Mayorga, Antonio Margarito, and Luis Collazo, no small pickings. With that said, he does have losses against the late Vernon Forrest (twice) and Wink Wright (twice) and more recently a loss to Miguel Cotto. Mosley will surely give Floyd Mayweather a very difficult test, but he can be beaten.

Mississippians that this writer had spoken to up at the Fitz Casino in Tunica were all hoping that this fight would go through. Super middleweight prospect Jonathan Nelson (13-0) and his assistant trainer both feel as if Mosley has a shot at beating Floyd, " Mosley can win, he's about the only guy in that division that can beat Floyd though." Many of the fans at the casino in Tunica also feels as if Mosley has a shot. I talked to Scott Gordon, a Mosley fan who was attending the fights last Saturday, " Mosley will give Mayweather some trouble, but I have to admit I think Floyd wins this fight. His defense will be tough for Shane to get through, he's a slick fighter. Shane has a shot, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it."

With Floyd's reputation as of late, this fight gives him a chance at some redemption. It's a true test for him, and finally he is fighting an opponent that possess' skills and power. A victory for Mosley and he will have done some damage control to his legacy. A victory for Shane, and he soars toward a showdown against Manny Pacquiao in the near future. Big stakes for both guys.


Source: examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather JR Move On, Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey Look to Spoil

Floyd Mayweather – Shane Mosley officially official

The May 1st super fight between undefeated co-pound for pound best in the world, Floyd “Money” Mayweather and “Sugar” Shane Mosley has been signed and sealed and will be delivered. This is not the fight that the people wanted to see, but they will certainly take it. Out of all the opponents out there for Floyd, Shane is the best next to Manny Pacquiao, and there are some things that Mosley can do to be effective.

An early prediction on this bout is easy: Floyd by wide decision. Despite his highlight reel knockout of “Hands of Plaster” Antonio Margarito, Mosley has not been that impressive in his last few outings, struggling badly with the raw yet strong, Ricardo Mayorga. Mayorga was beaten down easily by Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad prior to facing Mosley, and it was an even fight until the final round stoppage.

You add the possible ring wear along with being out of the ring nearly a year and a half, and the age of Shane, it’s a tall order here. There is bad blood between the two and Mosley will not roll over and die, but does he still possess the speed to make this fight competitive? The likely answer is no.

The thing going in Mosley’s favor and what makes this so interesting is that he is very smart. He will stick to a game plan. He also has a great chin and tremendous strength. To win though, he would have to be flawless and fight the fight of his life. Past performances against boxers like Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright certainly make a bet on him a risky one, but at least we are not seeing Floyd vs. Matthew Hatton, a fight that was proposed.

March 13th Quickly Approaching

Despite the fallout of the showdown with Floyd Mayweather, JR., Manny Pacquiao carries on and will be facing Joshua Clottey on March 13th, a date once reserved for his showdown with Money Mayweather.

Pacquiao’s recent track record make him the modern day Mike Tyson, a warrior that comes at his opponent relentlessly with power in both hands. He has destroyed some very big names in boxing: Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and most recently, Miguel Cotto. He is the real deal, but Joshua Clottey is a strange choice for an opponent.

Clottey is the sort of guy that would give Manny trouble with his tight defense and consistency. He barely lost in his last outing to Miguel Cotto, and stood tough with Antonio Margarito, winning before injuring his hands, and playing survival for the last half of the fight. Clottey is tough and takes a good shot, but there is a weakness. He is susceptible to straight punches…Manny’s specialty. The plan has to be to launch the straight punches early and often and hope for the best. Manny has every edge in this bout with the possible exception of toughness. Clottey might make this a battle of wills and although Manny has been through battles before, the late aggression from his challenger may be too much for him. We’ll see.

Without question, Manny is the big favorite going in, but Clottey has proven difficult for everyone he has faced. Will this be another spectacular KO win for the Filipino superstar or will we get a shocker on our hands. Most likely, this bout will lead to a showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao. They will eventually iron everything out and get into the ring together. The public demand is far too high for them not to fight.

Super Six Leftovers

One guy that belonged in the Super Six Tournament, IBF Super Middleweight Champ, Lucian Bute, will be featured on HBO’s World Championship boxing when he squares off against Edison Miranda, a fighter that has seen better days.

When Jermain Taylor was rumored to be dropping out of the tournament, the Miranda camp rallied to get him into that spot. It was apparently a race between Allan Green and Edison Miranda to see who would get it should “Bad Intentions” pull out. Well, he did, and thankfully, Green has filled in.

Miranda’s record is impressive at 33-4, 29 KO’s, and he always brings that puncher’s chance to the ring, but his boxing life changed after May 19th, 2007, when Kelly Pavlik dominated and destroyed him in seven rounds. He wasn’t the monster anymore, and his next defeat at the hands of Arthur Abraham was more proof that he wasn’t at the top of his game anymore. Miranda looked for redemption at the expense of Andre Ward in May of 2009, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Now he goes after the IBF crown against Bute.

Bute, 25-0, 20 KO’s, is the best super middleweight not in the Showtime tournament. He is an incredible puncher and is at the top of his game. His last fight, a rematch with Librado Andrade, was brilliant. He stopped him easily in four rounds…a man that had given him a life and death battle just one year prior to the rematch. He will have zero to little problem with Miranda.

Jesse Brinkley, the Contender star that just scored an upset over Curtis Stevens on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, which put him in line for a crack at Bute, but he has to wait in line behind Miranda. A Bute-Brinkley bout was proposed to HBO, but the network did not see it as competitive, according to sources close to the situation, and demanded Miranda as the opponent. HBO is somewhat correct with their assessment. It’s hard to imagine Brinkley being competitive with Bute. Miranda should be easy for Bute as well, but at least he brings the big punch and could win should he land. He only needs one opportunity.

Under the Radar

This weekend has some decent fights, headlined by the Edwin Valero-Antonio DeMarco bout, but a heavyweight collision in New Jersey is going unnoticed. Top rated heavyweight, Tomasz Adamek, 39-1, 27 KO’s, fresh off his stoppage of former title challenger Andrew Golota, is taking on the capable and upset-minded Jason Estrada, 16-2, 4 KO’s.

Adamek has held the light heavyweight and cruiserweight titles and has now followed the path set by David Haye, moving up to the heavyweight division. He packs a big punch and seems to be punching harder with the move up. He could be a true force in the division and is on a collision course with HBO favorite, Chris Arreola, if he can get passed the challenge of Estrada.

What does Estrada bring to the show?

Estrada is a good boxer with a decent jab, and has beaten some recognizable competition. He out-boxed Lance “Mount” Whitaker in 2008, took a wide decision over Derek Bryant later that year, before taking on top rated challenger Alexander Povetkin. Estrada could not keep the aggressive Povetkin off and lost a wide decision, but rebounded with a knockout over Zuri Lawrence. With only 4 knockouts, he is not a huge threat to stop Adamek, but he is a legit heavyweight with skill and should prove difficult in this fight, coming up Saturday night.


Source: ringsidereport.com

Golden Boy Promotions doing major ‘spin control’ on the Mosley vs. Mayweather fight

It was less than 48 hours ago when Golden Boy Promotions had serious concern over whether or not the fight between Mayweather and Mosley would even happen. Richard Schaefer, CEO of GBP, went on a public tirade about the fight not being finalized, missed opportunities for PR, serious concerns, and having no idea why Floyd Mayweather Jr hadn’t already signed the contract.

Fast forward 24 hours and Schaefer has completely forgotten all about the serious concern and frustrations he publicly aired. In fact, he and the rest of GBP are now pretending like it didn’t happen and thus the “spinning” has begun. Let’s take a look at some of Schaefer’s quotes over the last 48 hours and see through his own words how GBP is already “spinning” this fight.

February 2nd – source for the following quotes: Dan Rafael of ESPN.com
"At this point, I don't know," he said. "We want to do some big PR, so this is frustrating. I read Leonard's quotes that it was agreed to and that it was just a matter of time to get it signed, but if it's all done, why isn't it signed?" ..
"It will only be done when Floyd signs, and that hasn't happened yet. I don't know of any deal terms that are not agreed to. I don't understand it."

February 3rd - source of the following quotes: David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press
"We know each other well, we respect each other, and that is a great start for any negotiation”
“In a way, the promotion for Mayweather and Mosley started right in the ring after Mayweather's victory against Juan Manuel Marquez, when Shane Mosley grabbed the microphone and started things going,”
"With these megafights, they sort of have dynamics of their own in place. Sometimes, they fall apart. And sometimes, they come together unexpectedly.”
"It's certainly one of the most anticipated fights of this generation,”

Like Bill O’Reilly always says, this is the “No SPIN Zone”. Stan Richardson Sacramento, CA “Did GBP just completely forget that they were crying all day Tuesday over the unsigned fight?” Yes Stan, they did. In fact, Schaefer is acting like he wasn’t bitching to Dan Rafael about Floyd not signing just the day before. It’s hilarious how GBP is “Spinning” this around. We are seeing some major spinning that would make the Democrats and Republicans proud.

It’s like Schaefer miraculously understands the complexity of contracts all of a sudden; Yet the day before, he was crying that he “just doesn’t understand it”. Andy Wallace Sacramento, CA “Hey Rick, is Schaefer bi-polar?” Andy, I’m not sure. Perhaps we can get him to sign a release of medical records and then we can find out. However, I can tell you this; if this extreme 24 hour turn-around is any indication of things to come then we are in for a long 3 months of major hype and monumental spinning.


Source: examiner.com

Have Golden Boy created a monster in Floyd Mayweather?

Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley have both signed on the dotted line and will meet on May 1st in Las Vegas.

From there the fight that makes the most sense in the division at the moment is to have the winner face the winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey, which takes place in Dallas on March 13th.

In fact Freddie Roach went on the record with BoxingScene today to say just that, although it being the fight that needs to happen and it actually happening are two different things.

The problem with the winners of the two fights meeting it that Mayweather is still insisting on extra testing on all his future opponents and that Pacquiao will no doubt refuse to give in to his demands. Effectively keeping the two best fighters in the world from ever meeting. It's unlikely that Bob Arum and Top Rank would allow one of their fighters to be subjected to extra testing either if they are happy for Pacquiao not to want it.

There is an outside chance that Mosley or Clottey could win, but they are both decent underdogs, and outside of wishful thinking from the Mayweather haters and the people of Ghana respectively, not many give either much of a chance.

David Ellis, Bradford PA: "Because of two fighters, one stubborn about blood and the other with his demands, Top Rank and Golden Boy are going to lose millions of dollars, not just with their fight, but with every other fight that might have happened if not for them."

Sure there are two sides to every story, but it's Mayweather who wants the extra testing that the commission doesn't require. Any other fighter is happy to fight without these extra testing, and most wouldn't push for them to the point of canceling a $40 million dollar fight.

As his acting promotional agents, Golden Boy are required to back Mayweather and whatever stipulations he wants added to his fight contracts, but the wider implications could prove damaging to them rather than Mayweather.

After the fallout of the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather negotiations, Golden Boy backed their fighter and said that in the future, Pacquiao would require extra testing to fight any Golden Boy fighter.

More recently Mayweather was missing in action when Golden Boy wanted the Mosley fight signed and ready to start promoting. Most other fighters would be reprimanded for keeping a promoter of this size waiting, but Mayweather, publicly at least was not. There was also the rather embarrassing tirade from Roger Mayweather where he accused Pacquiao of being on 'A-side Meth'.

Obviously this could potentially cost both companies a lot of money, but worse than that, it would leave one of the biggest rivalries in the history of the sport unfinished. As usual the fans were vocal about Mayweather and where he will be after the Mosley fight.

Danny Wallis, Harrisburg PA: "Mayweather thinks he can take the place of the commission and make up his own rules as he goes along, that's why he gets so much hate around here."

Freddie Maynard, Pittsburgh PA: "Mayweather has signed to fight Mosley, which you and others said he wouldn't, he's still undefeated and he's the biggest fighter in the sport. Anyone who doubts him needs their heads examined."

Sweetpea, USA: "Manny's been exposed. After May 1 Mayweather will once again be the undisputed p4p champ. Of course Manny will never fight Floyd; he will never fight Mosley either. Mosley already offered to fight at 143 and give Manny a 60/40 split, but Manny "balked" at fighting Mosley. That is a fact. No one even cares about March 13, while the whole sports world is eagerly awaiting May 1. Mayweather is giving the fans the fights they want to see, and Manny is ducking all boxers and all top welterweights. Mayweather, Mosley, and Williams are the only credible opponents for Manny and he won't fight any of them, because he knows he doesn't have a chance!"

While May 1st will do a lot for Mayweather's ranking, this won't put him back into the number one pound for pound spot. Sure Mosley is a better opponent than Clottey, but Pacquiao is coming off a win over Cotto, while Mayweather is coming off a win over Marquez. Also to be fair to Manny, when he was looking for an opponent, Mosley was still scheduled to fight Andre Berto, so he wasn't an option at the time anyway.


Source: examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao Says Shane Mosley Is Next On My Radar

The reigning pound for pound king has revealed to reporter from Manila Violito Tanamor during an interview he thinks Sugar Shane will win.

When asked how he seen the fight playing out Manny gave of a cheeky smile before revealing his thoughts wearing a serious expression.

“Shane like myself will force pressure on Floyd for every minute of every round”. “Shane has fought the best in the welterweight division for over a decade and has faced the best the division has to offer” said Pacquiao”. “I think he will be too much for Mayweather and will stop Floyd”.

Pacquiao stated he is not looking beyond his date with Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on March 13th, at the Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas. “I feel honoured and privileged to be fighting in such a venue” he said.

Training seems to be going well for the WBO welterweight Champion, conditioning coach Alex Ariza started strength preparation on Monday, after a week of sparring.

Pacquiao’s renowned trainer Freddie Roach was less vocal on his thoughts of the outcome of the bout between Mayweather vs. Mosley, but did say they were expecting to be back in the ring again as soon as July to face the winner.

Manny Pacquiao will make the first defence of his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey on March 13. Both have the common opponent of Miguel Cotto in their last outing. Clottey lost a close decision to the Puerto Rican on June of 2009. Five months later Manny Pacquiao stopped Cotto in the last round of a one sided fight.


Source: theboxinghistorian.com

Mayweather-Mosley no consolation prize

Boxing fans have been beseeching Floyd Mayweather to step up the level of competition for years, so it's a little hard to fathom that in the same calendar year he could potentially face Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather signed on Wednesday to face Mosley on May 1, shifting gears after negotiations with the Pacquiao camp for the most lucrative fight of all time fell through after a dispute involving Olympic-style blood testing.

Pacquiao had earlier moved on from the failed talks to prep for Joshua Clottey in a March 13 bout in front of what is expected to be a huge crowd at Cowboys Stadium.

Mosley had been preparing for what would have likely have been a corker of a bout on Jan. 30 against unbeaten Andre Berto, but the Haitian-American Berto pulled out to concentrate his energies on helping relatives and countrymen devastated by the earthquake.

If you consider it a disappointment that Mayweather is fighting Mosley instead of Pacquiao, you are either: 1. Filipino, 2. Not a hardcore boxing fan, or 3. A sports reporter who doesn't pay attention to boxing 99 per cent of the time but still feels confident opining on which fights must happen to "save boxing."

Yes, Mayweather-Pacquiao is a bigger, higher-profile bout for the sport, but the alternative is still an A-plus matchup and could arguably turn out to be an even better fight. Pacquiao is the most explosive of the trio, but it can be argued that the other two have more dimensions to their game.

Coveted fight

The fact of the matter is that Mayweather-Mosley is a fight that's been coveted for about a decade, about eight years longer than Mayweather-Pacquiao.

In effect, boxing now has an unofficial welterweight tournament going on. Two top-notch fights, plus you have to figure Berto will get back in the mix at the some point after his selfless move.

Could Mayweather or Pacquiao blow their boffo payday for a fight against each other – estimated to be at least $25 million US for each – by losing these interim bouts?

Sure, but why should that be our concern? The more great matchups fight fans get to see, the better, and to the best go the spoils.

Should Mayweather and Pacquiao win these bouts, the clamour will only be greater for them to step in the ring, heightening interest.

The fact that the bouts are taking place six weeks apart doesn't hurt either. If Pacquiao beats another strong welterweight in Clottey, that's only going to please the Vegas houses even more.

Big bets

Art Manteris of Sportsbook Casinos originally made Pacquiao an 8-to-5 favourite for a Mayweather bout after his impressive win over Miguel Cotto in November. Manteris later admitted he might have overshot the initial projection (and how), but it sure inspired action – reportedly in the form of several $20,000 US or more bets on Mayweather.

Other places were more in line with the projections of boxing observers, with Pacquiao a +130 underdog. Should he beat Clottey in impressive fashion, that line will move.

And let's call it like it is. Had Mayweather fought and beat Pacman in March, we'd never see him a ring with Mosley, ever. He'd have considered his ring legacy cemented and would have milked us for occasional bouts against uninspired competition while continuing to revel in his celebrity status.

After all, when it first appeared that the Mayweather-Pacquiao boaut would fall through, some possible opponents that were floated for the flashy Las Vegas native were Paul Malignaggi (ugh) and Matthew Hatton (gross).

If Pacquiao were to have defeated Mayweather in March he too would have likely gone after not a Mosley or Berto, but someone of the order of Yuri Foreman, an opponent that could have given the Filipino a chance at another trinket but one that hardly gets the blood boiling.

Legit fight

Given that Mayweather's previous two fights were against Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton, Mosley will be the first legitimate welterweight he's faced in three years, or since he took on Oscar De La Hoya, otherwise known as the last fight that "saved boxing."

Mosley's reputation took a hit after it was revealed that he testified to a grand jury in the BALCO case that in 2003 he obtained from the lab the energy booster EPO (erythropoeitin), and designed steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone).

Despite those revelations, boxing hasn't changed its testing protocol for big fights one bit.

"They [the commissions] test for a basic, simple menu that anybody with a heartbeat will escape," chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Association, Travis Tygart, told the Grand Rapids Press last month.

Should the Mosley-Mayweather blood testing process take place without a hitch, it will make it much more difficult for the Paccquiao camp to try and control the process, as they sought to do in the first negotations. The argument of "we've always been clean" would seem to hold less sway.

What to watch

The fight to look for this weekend on Superchannel or on the internet is the lightweight battle between Edwin Valero and Antonio DeMarco (the broadcast originates from Showtime in the U.S).

Valero has knocked out all 26 men he's faced ahead of Saturday's bout, but he's never met anyone as durable as DeMarco, who's won his last dozen fights. For good measure, the Venezuelan Valero will be fighting in front of a pro-DeMarco crowd in Mexico.


Source: cbc.ca

Athletic commission gives Floyd Mayweather Jr. green light for May 1 fight

The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Thursday afternoon gave its approval for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight Shane Mosley in a welterweight bout May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

All events contested in Nevada, regardless of the magnitude, are required to go through the commission's sanctioning process.

"We thank them for bringing this fight here," commissioner Bill Brady said during an afternoon meeting at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building. "I know it's been a lot of work and we appreciate it."

While the fight will pit two of the sport's more notable pound-for-pound fighters over the last decade, it's not the match-up the majority of fans wanted to see.

However, that fight — Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao — never was finalized after the two sides couldn't agree on pre-fight drug-testing methods. Ironically, Mosley has admitted using steroids before his victory against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003.

Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) has agreed to pre-fight urine and blood drug testing at anytime leading up to the fight as long as Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) undergoes the same test on the same day. Pacquiao refused to have his blood tested.

Pacquiao is fighting Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas. Mayweather initially targeted March 13 for his next fight, but couldn't secure an opponent.

The commission also approved the date of April 3 for the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones Jr. rematch at Mandalay Bay.


Source: lasvegassun.com

Pacquiao,Bad Chad,Campbell and more!

Manny Pacquiao: "Millennium Man"
Within the last decade, Filipino Manny Pacquiao has not only taken on and defeated a trail of greats on his block (super-featherweight and below), but after running out of opposition, subsequently decided to get some northern exposure by going up in weight and being a bully in that neck of the woods (lightweight - welterweight) as well. Such an effort has earned him every accolade from "Fighter of the Year", to "Fight of the Year", to "Best KO of the Year", and beyond. With all of those notches under his belt, one would figure there would be no room for more. Well, think again! BWAA (Bowing Writers Association of America) has recently listed the fightin' Filipino as "Fighter of the Decade", giving him virtually every accolade worth discussing. Recent controversy about the possible usage of performance enhancement substances has gotten the attention of many, but this is just another indication that not everyone believes everything they hear. True or false, Pacquiao is innocent until proven guilty. That being said, join me in tippin' my hat to the sports official 'little-big man'.

Mayweather/Mayweather: Signed, Sealed.....Delivered?
Floyd Mayweather jr. has finally decided to sign the contract to face Shane Mosley in a showdown that his years in the making. These two men probably represent the best talent the welterweight division has seen, or at least very close. It took Mayweather quite a while to do it, and truth be known, extra media attention and a few extra dollars in his favor were the culprit, but whatever the case, the time has come, and this will be the biggest test he has ever faced, bar none. Mosley has gone on record with every source willing to listen about his desire to face Mayweather. Now that the fight is signed and sealed, it'll be awfully interesting to see who will actually deliver! I think the only SAFE bet in this one is to put your money on the guy who's name starts with an "M". (Either could win, and anything else is a major question)!?!?!?!

Can Pacquiao Stop Clottey?
When word hit that Pacqiuao would be facing Clottey, the odds were initially a landslide. A few days later, those odds began to narrow a bit when it was made public knowledge that Pacquiao would do so at welterweight limit of 147lbs with no catchweight. Despite Pacquiao giving up what could amount to 15lbs on fight night and a slimmer odds margin, at least one source has gone on record stating that he thinks Pacquiao will actually knock the granite-chinned Ghanaian native out. That source? Head trainer Freddie Roach. Roach seems to think the weaknesses he found in video studies can be exploited quite easily by Pacquiao. Can't say that I totally agree, but hey, I'm the same guy that thought Cotto had a chance. Rarely has Roach ever been wrong. I don't know if he'll keep the streak alive with this call, but even if he doesn't, there's another one I think he'd rather live to see another day. That other streak? The one that counts....Victory itself.

Everything Is Bigger In Texas: (Pacquiao/Clottey Undercard)
Natives have always said that "everything is bigger in Texas", but come the night of March 13th, the rest of the world may get a chance to realize that as well after seeing the huge undercard being put together by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. Pacquiao/Clottey is the main course, but among the many appetizers slated to be served is Alphonso Gomez versus Jose Luis Castillo, Antonio Margarito versus Carson Jones, and a host of others. This effort was bolstered with the a huge promotion in Mexico City that took place in a very grand fashion, followed by more promotions that will potentially set the bar higher for future fights to come. Some promotions are far-fetched. Others go too far. So far, this one has simply been far out. It'll be interesting to see if the fight itself goes 'far enough' to meet the distance. Now that'll be big!

Pacquaio Changin' Positions
Manny Pacquiao recently admitted that he isn't actually "angry" with Floyd Mayweather jr. for the flat-lined fight, and that he's simply more "disappointed" at the P4P contender. This position is quite different from the one the fight public was led to believe when things were more heated. Great to see that cooler heads have prevailed, but what I'm really curious about now is the lawsuit itself. Within only a few days it went from "messy", to "messed up", to flat out "missing". Clearly this move from anger to disappointment was that of a humble man, but should we consider the lawsuit an arrested development altogether at this point? Stay tuned to find out!

Nate Campbell/Victor Ortiz: Old-school Meets New-School
Rumor has it that Florida native Nate 'Galaxxy Warrior' Campbell will be put in the ring real soon to face the fighter many saw as tomorrow's 'Goldenboy', Victor Ortiz. Team Ortiz seems to be happy about this fight, but despite Campbell's recent inactivity, I think I'd bear to differ, here. Ortiz is the same fighter that stood in the ring after testy showdown with Marcos Maidana and questioned whether or not he "deserves to get beat on that way". If nothing else, Campbell is one of the most grueling, gritty contenders in the sport today. Ortiz has solid power, but if he fails to get Campbell out of there early, no question, it'll be a long night.....one filled with many lessons from the teacher to the pupil. Stay tuned.

Herschel Walker: Oldie-But-Goodie
Ok....Brett Favre, Evander Holyfield, and Bernard Hopkins have been long known as the '3-Horsemen', able to withstand the test of time and the rigors that come along with it in grueling sports. After holding down the fort for quite some time, one of the greatest athletes in history has recently decided to add his name to the mix. Without doubt, Herschel Walker won't compete to their level of supremacy in the sport of his choice, and neither should we want him to, but despite the relative youth of his opponent, it was pretty intriguing to see him compete at a high level and do it with great ring knowledge as he got the nod over Nagy last Saturday in South Florida. There's no knowledge of whether or not he will continue to compete, as this mission was initially scheduled to be a solo one to answer the question of his ability to compete. Now that he's proven his point, it'll be interesting to see what his future holds. Job well done, Herschel!

'Bad' Chad (Dawson) 'Good' Chad
With the country of Haiti getting relief from all over the world, the sport of boxing has recently tossed its name in the mix as well. Connecticut native, 'Bad' Chad Dawson has found enough goodness in his heart to give back as well. Dawson has launched what he calls "The Champions Challenge" and with the help of other fighters in the sport, it could prove a very fruitful endeavor. One that could deliver the goods to those most in need. Stay tuned.


Source: 8countnews.com

Shane Mosley v Floyd Mayweather: a fight to watch

At last, a welterweight fight to look forward to.

Sugar Shane Mosley will face Floyd Mayweather jnr on May 1 in a bout that will surely attract more world attention (outside the Philippines, that is) than Manny Pacquiao versus Joshua Clottey on March 13.

Mosley-Mayweather has been talked about for a long while and it’s about time it got signed.

But I do wonder about the drug-testing requirements. Did Mayweather again insist on following the Wada rules, or not?

It’s an intriguing match-up although I reckon Mayweather has the edge (having said that, I’m not writing Mosley off). I don’t expect it to be an all-action thriller, but it’ll be scientific, perhaps like watching Stephen Hawking against Albert Einstein, if you know what I mean.


Source: blogs.timeslive.co.za

Vegas Beat: Mayweather steps to the plate while his supporters strike back

A lot can change in 24 hours.

Just last night I penned a quick piece focusing on the fans’ frustrations with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his reported reluctance to sign on to face Shane Mosley this coming May 1st in Las Vegas, Nevada. The remarks I gathered were venomous as well as being full of frustration and hate towards the undefeated fighter as the public had seemed to have enough with the whole situation.

Less than a day later and it has been reported that Mayweather has indeed signed on to face Mosley at the MGM Grand in a bout that will surely be one of the biggest of the year. Mayweather’s decision to move forward with the bout has come hand in hand with the emergence of his most vocal supporters defending their man, for whom Floyd says the fight is for.

"This one is definitely for the fans,” Floyd stated. “I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately. I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."

Once again the plot has taken a turn and when browsing the forums and message boards online it’s Mayweather’s supporters who are now on the attack.

This is what everyone is saying about Mayweather’s recent signature…
(p4p champ @ BoxingScene.com)…
“No suprise here, he was just making Mosley sweat. Funny that people (mostly pactards) actualy thought he would walk away from the contract when he has already been going around and publicly stating he is fighting Mosley on May 1st.”

(Sportsworld3024 @ ESPN.com)…
“The Floyd haters are already saying that Shane is too old. If PBF wins the haters are going to say. Oh! Shane was over the hill.”

(johnny2x2x @ Mlive.com)…
“And here's what we heard from the haters 3 months ago, "Why won't Floyd fight Mosely, he's scared, this is the fight we would love to see and is a risky fight."
And here's what they're saying now, "Mosely? Who wants to see that fight, Mosely is too old and is no threat." Awesome fight. Pacman was afraid of needles so Floyd made the next best fight out there against the Best Welter in the World who just creamed Margarito. Mosely is big, strong, fast and skilled. I can't wait.”

(DJMySoul @ EastSideBoxing.com)…
“Mayweather wins by TKO in the 10th or 11th round. Mosley would be too slow as from the 4th round and that's when Floyd is gonna start nailing him. Yes, Mosley will give a good account of himself early on by winning a round or two then drawing the next two before losing the subsequent rounds clearly and more clearly. His win against Margarito was impressive but who is Margarito boxing skills-wise, mh? How did Shane look against Mayorga? Lacklusture. Against Collazo? Average. Against Wright? Dismal! Against Mayweather? Deadman Walking!”

(Slystaff @ FightBeat.com)…
“We'll finially get to see floyd Mayweather jnr fight against Floyd mayweather jnr LITE!
Mosley be exposed once and for all as a cheap imitation of the true multi-dimensional superstar”

(Joe King @ BoxingFanatics.com)…
“People have no patience and are waiting for PBF to fail but he proves them wrong again. Now watch this fight be called a mismatch.”

(dagiantkilla69 @ ESPN.com)…
“All I know was everyone was hyped up and thought Hatton was going to kick Floyd's butt. But Floyd took him apart.”

(OG Triple @ BoxingScene.com)…
“money may was feeling the pressure”

(Old Yank @ EastSideBoxing.com)…
“Mayweather has a fine ability to adjust. I too see the bout as close in the first half. Hell, I gave Judah 3 of the first 4 rounds against Mayweather. I do not believe that Mosley (at this stage of his career) is faster than Judah was in his prime. Mosley can pop, but he's not a one-punch artist. Mayweather might need to play pot-shot artist (something he's good at), for the entire bout. Mosley has shown that he can be hit (see: Cotto/Mosley, De La Hoya/Mosley, Wright/Mosley, Forrest/Mosley -- hell, even Mayorga/Mosley). But hitting Mayweather is an entirely different matter. I do not see a stoppage in this bout. I see a chess match with Mayweather getting a one or two point nod at the end.”

(*Z* @ FightBeat.com)…
“Just because I don't like how his career has been going the past 5 or so years doesn't mean I don't recognize how good he is. I've said it a bunch of times, Manny loses to Mayweather. I have always said Mosley is the toughest fight for him at 147.
I have never ever said Mayweather wasn't a great fighter. Am I supposed to sit back like a f****** nuthugger and give him credit for the guys he's been fighting? Sorry, not going to happen.
If you're going to run around saying you're the best, prove it. That is my point and always has been. I just can't get along with Floyd nuthuggers, they have made a job out of defending his every move. Kind of Roy Jones fans pissed me off when he was fighting cops and garbage men. Because I complain of loyd lack of top competition I get lumped in as a Pacman nuthugger. It's f****** stupid. It's not one or the other.”

(DNash1972 @ ESPN.com)…
“MARGARITO only beaten Cintron and Andrew six Heads Lewis, No one new who he was when Arum tried to mae that fight. Baldomir had huge exposure when he beat ultra Popular Fighters in Judah and Gatti, he was the lineal champion and Ring Mag CHampion, Margaritp was a fringe WBO champ no one knew Arum threw 8 mil around because he told Floyd he could not make the Oscar fight. Knowing Floyd was leaving Bob sullief FLoyd name with no named at the time AM. Well FLoyd walked got 8 mil anyway to fight Baldomir, made 10 mil after ppv, and sold way more pv than a no name Margo would have done at the time”

(Derranged @ BoxingScene.com)…
“Thats a relief. Because I was this close to renouncing myself as a fan of his. Even though I kind had a feeling that him not signing the contract immediately was being blown out of proportion... Still..... I promised that if he didnt fight Mosley or Pac, I would no longer be a fan of his.”

(Pascals Wager @ FightBeat.com)…
“I actually salivate at the thought of the clash of styles between Pac-PBF way more, but I'm happy that this fight is happening.”

(Kobe2024 @ ESPN.com)…
“Yes Yes I am sooooo happy. Mayweather is the real P4P champ and everybody knows it. There are a lot of haters who just got into the fight game who play with PacRoid dolls. Just forget about that fight with PacRoid and who.....? LOL Its a shame that the stadium that they're fighting in out shines the fight itself. HAHA. Everythings big in Texas? Well not that PacRoid fight. Vegas is where its at with legendary hall of fame fighters Mayweather vs Mosely. Setting the stage for a precedence that real champions abide too, meanwhile glorifying the integrity of the sport. WOW this fight is so much better than that other one. THE DRAMA Mosely has been running from Mayweather for a while, THE STATUS Blood tests will set a standard. THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER This is an all-american fight and I guarantee you every freakin star is going to be there especially if they are black and into boxing. THE LEGEND This is where legends are made. They will break the record held by PBF and DLH and also set a record for the highest grossing fight between two black fighters toping Holyfield vs Tyson. Man I cant wait bring it on.”

(Attraction @ BoxingFanatics.com)…
“lol, now all the people who said floyd was too scared to fight shane will have to say that he was cornered into fighting shane and when floyd beats him they will have to say "well shane was old, and it was a boring defensive display, floyd struggled with a 38 year old mosley etc". lol.”

(Punk @ FightBeat.com)…
“Can't see Mosley winning really.
I think he'll make it competitive in parts but will ultimately fail - Floyd is too sharp right now. Hell, Mosley was outboxed by Cotto, is 380 years old and beat a slo-mo Marg, let's get real. Floyd is prime and fresh.
That said, Mosley is big, strong and has a great chin - but he'll just be winging for the fences while Floyd potshots him to death.”

(-Reflexes- @ BoxingScene.com)…
“Hi Haters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Floyd back to Claim his Throne.
He will KO Mosley and KO Pac.”

(Pass the Shooga @ ESPN.com)…
“Big ups to Floyd for signing. I always said he needed to step up and fight the best, and now he will(if he doesn't bust a rib or whatever and cancel, which wouldn't suprise me). Much respect and good luck vs Sugar Shane.”

(Reloaded @ BoxingScene.com)…
“There was never any doubt for some , the haters were the only cats on a hot tin roof”

(SmoothSexxy @ ESPN.com)…
“When Floyd beats Mosely the rain of criticism will come showering down. I can't wait to see it. 3 months of Hate for 12 rounds of silence, then the hate machine will start again. Conspiracy theories, discredit, and no credit for beating SSM who is and will always be remembered as a great fighter. I hope Pac doesn't lose because the absolute non-sense we will hear about Clottey being the boogie man in boxing no one wanted to face will surface faster than witnesses in Mr. Vicks dog fighting case.”

(thephantom5 @ BoxingScene.com)…
“Floyd's gonna put on a show.
Can't wait.
Freakin epic!!”

(Bad Brains @ BoxingScene.com)…
“cotto outboxed shane mosley in the 2nd half of their fight, if he could do that, mayweather would do even more effectively. Remember, mosley's #1 problems are technical boxers who uses footwork. Watch him against winky.”


Source: examiner.com

Shane Mosley Q&A: 'No Excuses'

A little more than a year ago, it seemed that boxer Shane Mosley's world was coming apart.

His marriage to the mother of three of his four children, was in tatters. The former world titlist was under scrutiny after having admitted during leaked grand jury testimony that he had used designer steroids before defeating Oscar De La Hoya in September 2003.

But after stopping Antonio Margarito in the ninth round on Jan. 24, 2009, the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) is on the verge of earning his largest career payday against five-time champion Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) on May 1 -- but only after having to agree that each fighter will be randomly blood- and urine-tested for steroids, Olympic-style.

"They can test me every day, twice a day, if they want. I'm a clean athlete and I've been a clean athlete. I'm willing to do this for every fight I have for the rest of my career," Mosley told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. "I want it so you guys [in the media] know, so the public knows, so everybody knows. I'm clean, I've been clean and I have nothing to hide."

To further explain those comments, Mosley spoke to FanHouse about all of the above in this Q&A:

FanHouse: If you were to explain to your fans, who have stuck with you, what it was like to perform against Antonio Margarito while being under the microscope, and what it's been like to be in your position of scrutiny over the last year, what would you say to them?

Mosley: To my fans, this is what I do. I've been a fighter from Day One. I've been boxing since I was eight years old -- that's 30 years of fighting. This is what I do, and this is what I know how to do.

You will always get the best out of me, regardless of what's going on in my life. I would never put or have something in my way and use that as an excuse to say, 'Well, I had this going on, that going on, and that going on, and that's why I can't perform like I'm supposed to.'

I'm a professional, and it's my job to be mentally strong in the ring, out of the ring, whatever. It's my job to be mentally strong when I get into the ring and to do my best. You're always going to get the best out of me, that's all.

No excuses.

FH: Are you pinching yourself concerning how fortunate you are to be getting this fight after the long layoff, or are you still in disbelief until you actually get into the ring with Floyd Mayweather?

Mosley: You never know if the fight is there until you get into the ring. But I'm pretty sure that Mayweather needs and wants this fight as much as I do.

FH: After what you've been through over the last year, were you wondering if you would ever get an opportunity such as this after defeating Antonio Margarito?

Mosley: I love to fight, I love to box, and it doesn't matter who I get into the ring with. So, I'm happy that it's a big fight, and I'm happy that the fans will get a chance to see a good fight.

And maybe they won't be so quick to want to go to the MMA and watch them fight. They'll be able to watch a big fight, and a very good fight.

FH: With this being two American welterweights, you and Floyd (pictured at right), there are some people who are comparing this fight to the Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns fight. Do you see any elements of that, and if so, who do you cast yourself as?

Mosley: It's going to be a great fight. I do see myself and Floyd as being in the type of fight that is a Sugar RayLeonard-Tommy Hearns type of fight. Tommy was no joke as well. But my name is 'Sugar' for a reason. I liked Tommy, and I liked Sugar Ray Leonard.

FH: Can you break down the skills that each of you bring to the table?

Mosley: Mayweather is an excellent boxer and counter-puncher, and his timing is very good. He has very good hand speed.

I think what makes me different and difficult is that all of the years that I've fought, that I'm a total fighter. I can box, punch, move, slip-slide, I can do everything. I can imitate fighters really well.

I'm well-rounded, so it's hard to train for somebody like myself, because you don't know if I'm going to bring my fighting style out, my boxing style out, the counter-punching, or whatever.

I have different things to my arsenal that I can bring to the ring.

FH: Will you be bring back the body-punching that made you so good as a lightweight (135 pounds) champion, considering it's been virtually impossible for someone to hit Floyd's head, let alone, his body, consistently?

Mosley: It could be a good tactic to bring the body shots. Against Margarito, I went to the body as well, which is what basically broke him down, was the body shots.

But yeah, the body attack will definitely be a good tactic to use. I mean, there are so many different things that I'd like to use against Mayweather.

I can't just go, 'Okay, I'm just going to the body.' Or, 'I'm going to throw right hands,' or, 'I'm going to throw a lot of jabs,' or, 'I'm going to try to get past his defense with the leads.'

There are so many things that I can do and that I'll need to do to confuse Mayweather.

FH: At the age of 38, Shane, are you more mature, a better fighter, and how has the age manifested itself in you?

Mosley: It's weird, because I thought that I'm getting better and better. When I'm moving around, and I'm working out, and I'm fighting, and I'm training, I just felt better.

But, you know, maybe, I don't know, I might not be able to be rejuvenated as fast, or recover as fast, but I feel good. I think I'm a lot better, but I really don't know, but I feel good.

FH: Mentally, are you a better fighter than you've been in the past?

Mosley: Mentally, yeah, I'm better. I understand the boxing game a lot better and a lot more. I know when I'm making different mistakes, and I know when I'm doing different things, I know why they're happening and why they're not.

But as a younger fighter, you just kind of do things spontaneously, and you don't always know what you're doing. You're succeeding, but you don't understand or know why you're succeeding at what you're doing.

Once I sat down and watched tapes of myself and of different people and different fighters, and why they are successful at doing what they do, that made me more of a better fighter mentally in the ring.

I became better at understanding the moves that I'm making and why they're working.

FH: This is the largest payday that you're going to get, and there's a rematch clause in the event that Floyd Mayweather loses, correct?

Mosley: Yes.

FH: If you were able to map out the end of your career, what would your dream closure be?

Mosley: I guess that it would be fighting Mayweather twice and then fighting Manny Pacquiao. I could fight Pacquiao twice too, if I need to.

I think by then there should be nothing else for me to do. Other than that, that would be it, probably, pretty much. Unless I went back and fought Winky Wright or somebody at 154. But other than that, there's no one else to fight.

FH: So you want to get some payback against Winky Wright for the two losses on your record?

Mosley: Either that or give Andre Berto (pictured at right) a shot at the title, because he's been waiting for a long time, as well. He's a world champion, and if he's still on top, maybe I could give him a shot.

Berto's a young warrior, and he wants to fight as well, so maybe I would do that. Other than that, I'm not sure what else is out there.

FH: Speaking of Andre Berto, is there anything that you would like to say to him?

Mosley: Yeah, I would really just like to send my condolences out to him and his family. I know that some of the people in Haiti, and some of his family members, might have been hurt out there.

Hopefully, he and his family are together. Hopefully, mentally, he can get back into the boxing game and get back on top.

He's a great young fighter and I'm just wishing him all of the best for him.


Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Golden Boy CEO: Mayweather-Mosley 'one of the most anticipated fights of this generation'

For weeks, Richard Schaefer honored a self-imposed gag order and refused to talk in depth about the failed Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao negotiations.

In a matter of days, the boxing promoter struck a compromise plan for a Mayweather-Shane Mosley megafight in a negotiation he called “an absolute pleasure” with Mayweather’s advisers, Al Haymon and Leonard Ellerbe.

"We know each other well, we respect each other, and that is a great start for any negotiation,” Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, said Wednesday. “It is a fight Floyd really wanted and it is a fight Shane really wanted. That provided the necessary ingredients to get this negotiation going and signed.

"It's exciting to be part of a historic event where you have two of the best fighters of this generation, two of the best pound-for-pound fighters, two Americans, fighting each other -- and two guys who are at the top of their craft. We have seen what Shane did to Antonio Margarito and what Floyd did to Juan Manuel Marquez."

The May 1 fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas became official after Mayweather’s signed contract arrived at Golden Boy’s Los Angeles office Wednesday, five days after Mosley signed.

Mosley agreed to the Olympic-style random blood and urine testing at which Pacquiao balked during the failed Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations.

Mayweather also will be subject to random testing.

Ellerbe has said Olympic-style random testing will be a negotiating mandate for any future Mayweather fight, which means a future matchup against Pacquiao is anything but a certainty, even if both fighters win their upcoming bouts.

Pacquiao scheduled a March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey after Mayweather talks fell apart.

"I don't really know if it’s possible and I don't really want to think about it because, the fact is, both parties felt rather strongly about their position, as it relates to Olympic-style drug testing,” Schaefer said. “I can not speak for Pacquiao because I'm not his promoter. But I can tell you that I would be surprised if Floyd was going to change his position as it relates to that. For this fight, he obviously hasn't.

“Floyd feels strongly that the time has come for boxing to introduce Olympic-style blood testing. Given the fact that I don't think Floyd is going to change course, and I think, with regret, that Pacquiao may not change his position, it basically just is what it is."

Schaefer confirmed that Mayweather-Mosley will be conducted at the 147-pound welterweight limit but said it is uncertain whether Mosley’s World Boxing Association title will be at stake.

That could hinge on what percentage of each fighter’s purse the WBA is willing to accept to sanction the fight. Sanctioning fees typically run about 2-3 percent of each fighter’s purse, although WBA by-laws allow for that amount to be “modified to the discretion” of its Board of Directors, and such downward negotiation is common practice when fighters earn enormous purses for a title fight.

Ellerbe said in December that Mosley was Mayweather’s backup plan if Pacquiao negotiations failed.

At that time, Mosley was scheduled for a Jan. 30 fight against Andre Berto.

But Berto withdrew from that bout two weeks ago -- only days after the Mayweather-Pacquiao talks officially ended after a failed mediation attempt -- which paved the way for Mayweather-Mosley.

“In a way, the promotion for Mayweather and Mosley started right in the ring after Mayweather's victory against Juan Manuel Marquez, when Shane Mosley grabbed the microphone and started things going,” Schaefer said, referring to Mosley’s forced interference with Mayweather’s post-fight interview following his comeback fight after a 21 1/2-month layoff. “Then, of course, the Pacquiao discussions started and Shane's position was that he didn't want to sit around and wait, so he moved on to fight another undefeated fighter in Andre Berto.

“Then, when the Pacquiao talks collapsed and the fight didn't happen, we didn't really think Mosley, because Shane had a very tough fight against Andre Berto, who is a great champion, he's undefeated. He had a very tough fight ahead of him. I think it would have been a very big mistake to underestimate Andre Berto and start thinking about, or even discussing, a later fight between Mayweather and Mosley."

Other potential fights were discussed for Mayweather, but when Mosley became available, those were dropped.

"With these megafights, they sort of have dynamics of their own in place,” Schaefer said. “Sometimes, they fall apart. And sometimes, they come together unexpectedly.

"The fact is, at the end of the day, it is up to the fighters if they want to fight. Floyd Mayweather made it clear to me he wanted the big fight. After the Pacquiao negotiations fell out, there weren't that many big names out there that warranted a super fight. When Andre Berto had to withdraw because of the Haiti situation, that opened the window, opened the door, and Floyd was immediately interested in that. And Shane was very much on the same page."

Schaefer said he did not view Mayweather-Mosley as a method of trumping Pacquiao-Clottey with pay-per-view buyers who might not be inclined to spend $50 or more for both fights, saying his philosophy is strictly to focus on his own business and his own fight.

He acknowledged, however, that some customers in a depressed economy might have to choose.

"If you are a consumer like that, and you have to pick which one is the bigger show, and which one is the more historic event, and which one has all the ingredients, then you're going to have to pick,” he said.

It was clear Schaefer is enamored of the Mayweather-Mosley fight, as are many boxing fans.

"It's certainly one of the most anticipated fights of this generation,” he said.


Source: mlive.com

If Mayweather Jr ‘asked to fight Shane immediately’ then why did he wait so long to sign?

For some Mayweather critics, hell has officially frozen over. Floyd Mayweather Jr has signed the contract to fight Shane Mosley on May 1st. A day that many people thought would never happen, has finally come. But, what took so long? For a fight that was a decade in the making, the contract signing felt like it almost took just as long. Why did it take Floyd so long to sign the contract?

Just 24 hours ago, Mosley and his attorney were threatening a lawsuit against Mayweather because he hadn’t signed the contract yet even though Mosley signed it last week and Floyd’s people were assuring it would be signed the very next day. This delay got so bad that even Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer publicly aired his frustrations and questioned Mayweather’s actions.

Fast forward to today and Mayweather signs the fight and then releases the following statement:
“This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately. I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."

Sarah Daniels Sacramento, CA “If Mayweather truly wanted to fight Mosley immediately then why the delay?” Simply put, Mayweather didn’t truly want to fight Mosley. Like Shane Mosley said in a recent interview, Mayweather was forced into the fight. When Manny Pacquiao moved on to face Clottey, Mayweather was forced to move on to Mosley.

In my opinion, I believe Mayweather was just playing his selfish games in making every one wait. However, I think he signed today because Mosley’s people were ready to go to court. Floyd couldn’t risk going to court after already losing in the “court of public opinion” over who was at fault for the failed Mega fight.

This delay was just another way for everyone to be subject to Floyd’s egotistical desires and grandiose delusions of his self worth. That’s the only logical reason why Floyd took so long to sign since Mosley already agreed to every demand that Mayweather made. In the end, Mosley’s attorney Judd Burnstein said it best “he chooses to act like a 7-year-old.”


Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao Watch: Floyd has Manny in mind

Even in taking the Shane Mosley fight, at the back of Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s mind looms the large shadow of Manny Pacquiao – the man who inherited his throne as boxing’s pound for pound king.

Even the most diehard revisionist of boxing pundits will agree that Manny taking on Joshua Clottey forced Floyd’s hand into getting into a tough fight he had to take in order to remain in the conversation of who is the best welterweight today.

At stake also is Floyd’s legacy as one of the best boxers to emerge in the aftermath of Mike Tyson’s fall from grace. A time when the biggest names in boxing need not wear a pair of 12-oz boxing gloves. Where million-dollar purses are no longer the exclusive domains of the heavyweights.

Floyd would have earned the honor of being the best boxer in the decade past - in his generation, even - if only Manny Pacquiao did not captivate the boxing world with his thrill-every-second fighting style and record-breaking accomplishments.

Manny’s emergence as a dominant slugger-turned--boxer is throwback to the era when the best meets only the best in his division and even beyond. When boxing was at its purest.

All of a sudden, Manny became the barometer and standard of the sport that badly needed bankable marquee fighters following the ungraceful exit of Oscar de la Hoya and the growing popularity of full contact mixed martial arts.

The phenomenal success and the popularity of Manny have weighed down on Floyd heavily.

Before Manny boxed and slugged his way into the top of his sports, Floyd Mayweather Jnr was ‘The Man’ – the best there was, even if he and his camp adroitly selected opponents to maintain his unblemished record.

But a new kid on the block has arrived. A shark contrast to the flamboyant but oftentimes pugnacious Mayweather who not only trash talks, waves wads of dollar bills and throws them into the dance floor but also a man fixated with his super inflated ego.

Finally, boxing writers have good copy in Manny, not because of his quotable quotes, but because of his ring exploits.

Manny Pacquiao forced every sports scribe who loves boxing and even those who occasionally dabble in the sport to dissect the sweet science in the Filipino champion.

Some are saying the Mayweather-Mosley fight is the next best fight after the aborted Mayweather-Pacquiao encounter.

But they sometimes forgot that it was Pacquiao who made it happen. And that all roads still lead to Manny at the end of the day – when the boxing world will again demand to know who the best is in our generation.

Mayweather has that in mind. But he also knew that if he wins, he does not have to fight Manny and still can claim his spot in boxing history. In fact, I am betting he will use a possible win against Mosley as another bargaining chip. But he has to win against Mosley by all means because a loss will mean the end of the road for him.

Mayweather may have one-upped Manny in agreeing to fight Mosley. But it is the thought of the Filipino still in front of him that will haunt him after May 1 – win or lose.


Source: asiancorrespondent.com

Shane Mosley says of Mayweather fight: "This is my era."

Shane Mosley will certainly have to engage in some trash-talk battles with Floyd Mayweather Jr. before their May 1 bout, which became official with Mayweather's contract signing today.

Once the veteran fighters who have combined for eight weight-division titles step into the ring, however, Pomona's Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) said he feels confident he can "do a lot of things better" than Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs).

"This is my era, and I want to show that to people now," Mosley told The Times in a telephone interview. "My style and skills are pretty good. I weave, box, punch, counter-punch. I'm not one-dimensional, I'm all of the above. I'll be stronger than him, and I think I'll be more fit."

No one has been able to say that against Mayweather and come across as credible.

The defensive wizard Mayweather, 32, is a workout fanatic, known for 1 a.m. runs that boost his legendary speed and counter-punching abilities. Mosley, however, is a gym rat of epic proportions.

"He has to deal with me being right there with him," said Mosley, 38. "I'm going to counter as well as him, so what is he going to do now?

"It's going to be a good fight, the people will get a chance to see a real fight."

Said Mayweather in a prepared statement: "This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately. I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."

Mosley addressed two substantial subjects related to the bout, claiming Mayweather's push to institute Olympic-style drug testing, in which both fighters will be subject to random blood and urine tests up to fight night, is something he's embracing.

"I know I'm a clean fighter," Mosley said. "I don't need anything. I've always been strong."

Mosley has admitted he used designer steroids and energy boosting EPO before his 2003 victory over Oscar De La Hoya, claiming he unknowingly used the substances provided by BALCO founder Victor Conte and supervised by strength coach Derryl Hudson.

"I was with a guy [Hudson] who was trying to be better than he was, and I got beat in the fights I was with him, against Vernon [Forrest] and Winky [Wright]. Now, I'm doing my own thing and knocking people out."

Mosley did score a TKO of former welterweight champ Antonio Margarito in January 2009, but he hasn't fought since as his attempts to land a bout against Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao failed last year, and then his Jan. 30 opponent, Andre Berto, withdrew from their bout due to the earthquake in Haiti.

"I've been in training camp, sparring, staying in the gym working," Mosley said. "I'm ready. I'll go back to training, and, believe me, people will see the good Sugar Shane. There's no rust on me. I never stay away from the gym too long. I'm a fighter, I love boxing, it's what I do."


Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Mayweather Versus 10 Of The Greatest Welters In History

I recently read a long piece by Gavin Evans on Ring TV.com's blog where he discusses what would happen if Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought ten of the greatest welterweights in history. In it Mr. Evans concludes that Mayweather would lose to Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Charley Burley and Thomas Hearns. I totally concur with him, and don't believe any one of the four greats listed, at their best, would have to struggle in any way to defeat Mayweather.

On the flip side he sees Mayweather coming out victorious over Henry Armstrong, Kid Gavilan, Jose Napoles, Carmen Basilio, Emile Griffith and Mickey Walker. Here, I couldn't disagree more. Had Jose Luis Castillo been awarded the decision he earned and deserved versus Mayweather in their first fight and Floyd had one loss on his record, Mayweather's name wouldn't be involved in this conversation.

Evans said, "Even keeping it to the last 100 years, there are greats we have to leave out – Jack Britton, Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis, Barney Ross, Jimmy McLarnin, Luis Rodriguez, Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya."

Maybe the fact the author included Oscar De La Hoya as one of the all-time great welterweights in history tells us all we need to know about how limited his scope is pertaining to professional boxing. Just in case anyone is not sure - Oscar De La Hoya was not a great welterweight. As a fighter there's not one thing he did great. Sure he was tough and fought the best of his era, but never did he once separate himself from the three best welterweights he fought, Pernell Whitaker, Felix Trinidad and Shane Mosley. Giving him the benefit of every doubt he went 1-1-1 in those bouts.

This "today's fighters are faster, stronger, better conditioned, and have more skills" type BS has to be seen as the nonsense it is. Fighters today are at a deficit in each one of those categories. The argument that the old-timers could do no wrong is ill founded, just as the one suggesting today's fighters are human wrecking machines is flawed.

As for Mayweather, I really believe many of his staunchest supporters confuse the combination of slickness, sharpness, great reflexes, and the alertness under fire that Mayweather possesses with speed. Superficially, they look like the same thing. Zab Judah is faster than Mayweather, and was out-speeding him for the first five or six rounds of their fight (he hits harder too.) He just doesn't have near Floyd's boxing IQ.

I'm not going to break down the sizes and weights precisely of the greats listed for this. If you don't know their record and physical measurements then Mr. Evans's piece is great remedial reading for you. I write for a sophisticated boxing observer, and am fully aware that some miss what I'm saying. That's okay because there's a plethora of boxing content available via the Internet in 2010.

It's important to understand that, although Mayweather is a slick enough fighter by today's standards to outthink and outmaneuver virtually anyone he faces, all of the fighters Evans writes about would have seen everything that Mayweather could show them dozens and dozens of times. Evans excludes Luis Rodriguez from his top ten welterweight list, but believe me, there's not one thing that Floyd Mayweather does as well as Luis Rodriguez.

If Jose Luis Castillo could pressure Mayweather into what should've been his first defeat, Henry Armstrong, stronger, faster, better conditioned, and possessing a far more daunting workrate (to say nothing about the tricks of the trade involving his elbows, forearms, and head that he'd use), would run Mayweather out of the ring. It's true that Armstrong wasn't a great puncher at 147, so Floyd would probably survive. But there's no offensive component to his arsenal that would allow him to bother Hank for a minute.

In Jose Napoles, Mayweather would find himself facing someone even slicker than he is, but with one significant difference. Napoles could punch. Mayweather wouldn't dare trade with Mantequilla. In a straight out boxing match, they'd be close, but because Napoles was much more offensive-minded, it would be hard for Floyd to win a decision. And Napoles' power would keep him on edge all night. Realistically, Floyd's only chance would be to try to potshot Jose in order to bust him up and force the TKO win (Napoles had a tendency to cut around the eyes.) That happened to Napoles exactly twice in 88 pro fights. I don't like Mayweather's odds.

Although Mickey Walker was not as great a welterweight as Ray Robinson (no one was), he's the guy who, aside from possibly Hearns, would beat Mayweather most easily. And he'd have a great time doing it. Nothing in Mayweather's anemic offense would slow Mickey down for a fraction of a second. He would put more pressure on Floyd than Mayweather would believe possible. The guy who Walker most resembled offensively was Roberto Duran. He never let you rest, he mixed his combinations brilliantly, working the head and body, and he was a murderous puncher with either hand. And, unlike Floyd Mayweather, Walker loved to fight.

Harry Greb, probably the second greatest fighter who ever lived behind Robinson, couldn't stop Mickey Walker (and he knew a lot more ways to cut up his opponents than Floyd Mayweather will ever imagine.) Heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey, a 200 pounder with real pop, couldn't do it either. Does Gavin Evans really believe that powder puff punching Floyd Mayweather, the guy who couldn't knock out a used up Oscar De La Hoya or an overfed, over-aged featherweight (admittedly a great one) in Juan Manuel Marquez would kayo a prime Mickey Walker? Among a long list of really stupid assertions, this one may be the dumbest. Mickey Walker routinely knocked out 200 pound men who weren't stiffs. And he would have knocked Floyd Mayweather loopy without the slightest problem.

Does Evans realize what a life-taker Florentino Fernandez was? And Griffith had his way with him bettering him boxing and physically moving him around the ring wherever he wanted. Emile took the trilogy he had with Benny "Kid" Paret who was an aggressive fighter who could box and punch. But he couldn't handle Griffith's upper-body strength, pressure and hand speed. It's doubtful that Mayweather has ever seen the likes of a Paret, let alone suggesting he could handle a welterweight who not only was the first to drop Dick Tiger, but chased him up to light heavyweight. Tiger was so good he beat Jose Torres to capture the light heavyweight title and held onto it until he was knocked out at the very end of his career by Bob Foster.

Griffth was an aggressive counter-puncher. He wasn't manhandled by middleweights the likes of Nino Benvenuti, Carlos Monzon and Dick Tiger. Emile was too strong for the great Luis Rodriguez to box for the duration of the fight. What does Floyd Mayweather posses in his arsenal to keep Griffith from walking him down and working him over? Nothing, based on his fights with Judah, Baldomir and De La Hoya.

Mayweather's slight advantage in height wouldn't have mattered a bit. And for Evans to consider Mayweather the puncher in a match up with Griffith is laughable. Griffth threw straight punches and they were fast. He also could throw short powerful hooks and uppercuts inside. Couple that with his freakish physical strength and stamina, how does Mayweather hold off a fighter who he holds no physical advantage over? Fighting Griffith, as it would be the case with Basilio, Mayweather would discover early in the fight that's it's a lifetime different moving back on your own than it is when you're being forced to do it. Mayweather being forced back would be fighting to stabilize the fight and wouldn't be in control like he was facing the fighters he's fought. It would be impossible for him to win a decision over Griffith being forced to fight Emile's fight.

As for Kid Gavilan - he would've reigned for years as welterweight champ had Sugar Ray Robinson not been fighting in the same division. As Evans correctly stated, Gavilan lost a disputed decision to Robinson the first time they fought. In the rematch for the title Robinson won a non-controversial decision over Gavilan. However, that was Robinson at his best. A welterweight who had a better punch assortment, hit harder, threw more of them and faster than Mayweather ever dreamed he could. Plus Robinson was mean and nasty and almost impossible to hurt at 147. If Gavilan can hang with Robinson and deal with a rough-house and tough guy like Carmen Basilio, what's Mayweather gonna do with Gavilan?

I completely disagreed with Evans when he said Mayweather hits harder than Gavilan. He may hold the edge in defensive prowess, but he's not beating Gavilan with his defense. A motivated Gavilan would neutralize Mayweather's speed and defense. When Gavilan cut loose he put combinations together in multiples. If Mayweather engaged him he'd lose because "The Keed" would get there with more and wouldn't have to break off the exchanges. In order for Mayweather to beat Gavilan, he'd need to be at his best and catch Gavilan on a night where he wasn't fighting with a sense of urgency - and even at that it wouldn't be enough. If Evans only sees a split decision for Mayweather, he's telegraphing how unsure he is about the outcome. I'm not. Gavilan controls Mayweather inside and outside and wins a comfortable decision over a fighter who isn't a better boxer or strong enough to unnerve him.

Imagine if De La Hoya was more aggressive and stronger on the night he fought Floyd. Oscar has no inside hook or right hand and had Mayweather stymied with his roughhouse tactics and a half hearted jab that he threw. If Basilio could drop Gavilan for a nine-count, and bull Robinson around the ring for fifteen rounds as he smothered him (and that was a middleweight Robinson), how on God's earth would Mayweather keep Carmen off of him?

Some fighters are too strong to box - and that's what would've transpired had Basilio and Mayweather crossed paths at their welterweight best. Mayweather's seize the moment pot-shot offense doesn't match up with the real authentic swarmers like some of the greats from past eras. (There's a dearth of good attackers/swarmers fighting today). Basilio pushed a beast like Gene Fullmer back and forced him to fight in retreat. Mayweather's hand speed would keep him from getting totally overwhelmed, but he's never experienced the type pressure and aggression that Basilio would bring. Imagine Castillo three fold with more tenacity and power. When Mayweather let his hands go against Basilio, it would be out of need and he'd be rushing his punches, therefore he'd have even less on them. Floyd couldn't beat Carmen fighting in the mode where he's just trying to keep Carmen off of him. And he doesn't have the physical strength or power to keep Basilio from forcing the fight from bell-to-bell. Maybe Mayweather opens a cut on Basilio and the fight would be stopped, but even at that he'd be behind in the scoring. Again, some fighters are too strong to box, and Carmen Basilio was one of them. Mayweather wasn't nearly strong enough to outbox Basilio and would have to hold on just to make it the distance.

At least Mr. Evans had the presence of mind to recognize that four of his top ten welterweights (Robinson, Leonard, Hearns, and Burley) would have beaten Floyd Mayweather. From there on, his sense once again deserts him: he believes that three of the four fights would have been close, with only Hearns potentially winning decisively. You don't get close to beating fighters of this caliber without a formidable offensive arsenal. Floyd Mayweather has nowhere near the tools to be competitive with any of these four. Three of them would have knocked Mayweather out effortlessly. Leonard might not have, but he would have completely controlled the fight from start to finish. But if forced to pick, Leonard would've had to have been pulled off of Mayweather the way he was Hearns the first time they fought.

Floyd Mayweather doesn't have the strength or physical skill to defeat one of the ten welterweight greats Mr. Evans listed. Having Mayweather going 6-4 is a pipe-dream, 0-10 is more like it. And in case anyone is wondering, Manny Pacquiao equals Mayweather here as well, as he would also be shutout going 0-10 against the same field of welterweight greats.


Source: thesweetscience.com