Shane Mosley says verbal deal struck to fight Manny Pacquiao
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Shane Mosley told The Times on Tuesday that he has a verbal deal in place to fight Manny Pacquiao on May 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Mosley said the bout will be at 147 pounds and that the deal was struck Tuesday in a conference call involving himself, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum and Mosley advisor James Prince.
‘I’m very excited, I think I can win the fight,’ Mosley said.
Mosley said he could sign the deal as soon as Wednesday.
Reached by telephone Tuesday, Arum said, ‘We’re finishing up,’ but declined to elaborate.
Mosley would not reveal financial terms of the deal but said Arum’s Top Rank will promote the bout.
Pacquiao, the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter, won a record eighth weight-class belt in November with a unanimous decision over Antonio Margarito, whom Mosley defeated by ninth-round technical knockout in January 2009.
Mosley, 39, of Pomona has since dropped a unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May and had a disappointing draw against the larger Sergio Mora in September.
-- Lance Pugmire
