Mosley pushing hard for Pacquiao fight

Shane Mosley and I have known each other for more than a decade now. We're both residents of the Inland Valley, and I first met him while working for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin several years ago, covering a visit he made to meet young fighters at the Pomona YMCA (which ended with us having a nice chat while eating Juan Pollo chicken burritos).

Even if we're now working for larger audiences, I think Mosley is biting off more than he can chew when he urged me Thursday to "make this fight happen. Go out there and say this is the fight that everyone wants to see."

Certainly, a Mosley bout against Manny Pacquiao is attractive: the world's top welterweight (Mosley) against the world's top pound-for-pound fighter (Pacquiao).

And honestly, disregarding the Mosley lobbying effort, Pacquiao-Mosley is more attractive than Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto or Pacquiao-Edwin Valero. I don't know that I want to see it more than Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez (they've already staged two classics) or Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But I know some of Pacquiao's people don't like the Mayweather match-up because of Mayweather's tendency to run and play defense, and I know how tough they know Marquez is.

So Pacquiao-Mosley makes sense.

But getting the deal done is not in Mosley's hands, or my hands. It's up to Pacquiao, his promoter Bob Arum and their people. They'll huddle after the Cotto fight vs. Joshua Clottey June 13 in New York to discuss their game plan.

Mosley is working harder than he ever has (even more than he did to land the 2000 showdown against Oscar De La Hoya) to get Pacquiao in the ring. He seized on a comment by Pacquiao during an interview in the Philippines as a verbal acceptance of a challenge to fight at a catch weight (around 144 pounds) and allow Pacquiao to have a 60-40 split of the purse for an Oct. 17 fight.

"It's what Pacquiao wants, he expressed that," said Mosley, dismissing a Thursday morning news release by Pacquiao that the Filipino boxer is considering all options, not just Mosley. "The promoters should let the fighters choose who they want to fight."

Pacquiao's desire to maximize revenue is part of a Mosley fight appeal, the Pomona boxer said.

"It's a worldwide fight, and I've met a lot of his demands to make this fight," said Mosley, 37. "I just want to show now that I'm the pound-for-pound best in the world. That's why I want this, to prove I'm the best fighter out there, even at this age."

"Pacquiao has said, 'I accept your challenge.' I love that about him. I respect him so much. I see a lot of me in him. He's the best fighter, I'm the best welterweight. I can't see why I won't be in the ring with him."

--Lance Pugmire

  

Comments

[bERNIE pRETTY bOY v]

Take it easy Shane... do you really to fight Manny at 143/38? That would be suicide! But anyway, thanks for respecting Pacman!

[Boy]

IMosely wants to fight Pacquiao primarily because it's a guaranteed $5-10,000,000. At his age, I don't think he is thinking longevity in the ring, but to retire a wealthy man.

[IB]

Mosely is a great fighter, Manny is waiting for Mayweather vs marquez fight..the wait is very important becuz of the fact it can lead to a higher payday for pacquiao
compare to fighting Mosely now...Pacquiao really wants to fight Mayweather to answer mayweather and fans selfproclaim he,s # 1...

[jeffrey]

Im sick of hearing Mosley say that he's the top Welterweight in the world. Cotto beat him, did every1 4get about that? If you think that Margarito tried 2 cheat against Mosley & didn't cheat against Cotto, you are crazy!!
If he beat Cotto, without loaded gloves, why would he feel the need 2 load them up against a man that Cotto already beat? Doesn't make much sense 2 me. In my book Miguel is still unbeaten & the top Welterweight, not Mosley.

[jeffrey]

Im sick of hearing Mosley say that he's the top Welterweight in the world. Cotto beat him, did every1 4get about that? If you think that Margarito tried 2 cheat against Mosley & didn't cheat against Cotto, you are crazy!!
If he beat Cotto, without loaded gloves, why would he feel the need 2 load them up against a man that Cotto already beat? Doesn't make much sense 2 me. In my book Miguel is still unbeaten & the top Welterweight, not Mosley.

[Chris]

I don't know if you had a chance to watch the Mosley Cotto fight, but Mosley got robbed. It was a close match except for a handful of rounds where Mosley chased a stunned Cotto around the ring while he covered up for dear life. Their was a reason Cotto didn't want to give Mosley a rematch.

At 147 Manny would get crushed against either Cotto/Mosley. That's why he wants the catch-weight. If he makes either fighter drain themselves to get down to 142/143, I think we'd see a repeat of the De La Hoya fight.