By David Mayo | The Grand Rapids Press
February 03, 2010, 5:35PM
Floyd Mayweather has signed to fight Shane Mosley in a blockbuster May 1 fight, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer announced Wednesday, although a couple days of open consternation about the negotiations didn’t sit well with the Grand Rapids boxer’s adviser.
Mayweather signed Wednesday, according to Schaefer, who one day earlier expressed to ESPN.com his concern about why the fighter hadn’t signed, as did Judd Burstein, Mosley’s attorney.
Those concerns came despite Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s adviser, insisting Friday -- the same day Mosley signed his own contract -- that the fight would be finalized this week.
“Their business is to worry about Shane Mosley,” Ellerbe said. “Like I told you last week, there were no hang-ups to making this fight. All the deal points had been finalized and we were prepared to make an announcement this week.
“Floyd Mayweather is very meticulous in the way he handles his business and he does it in his time. As for the rest of it, that’s on them.”
The fight will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It matches two rivals who have talked off and on for more than a decade about fighting each other.
The 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), of Pomona, Calif., has claimed world titles in three weight divisions.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), 32, is a former five-division champion and pound-for-pound claimant.
“It is a fight Floyd Mayweather has wanted for years and a fight Shane Mosley has wanted for years,” Schaefer said. “For whatever reason, fights don’t always come together because of different dynamics.
“But Shane Mosley has never ducked anyone and, to anyone who has ever said Floyd Mayweather has ducked opponents, he is stepping up to the plate to fight the most dangerous welterweight in the world. I can’t wait.”
Schaefer said is has not been determined whether Mosley’s World Boxing Association welterweight title will be at stake.
One reason could be the 3-percent fee the organization typically levies on each fighter’s purse to sanction a championship fight. Schaefer said it is his intent to negotiate with the WBA for a reduction in that fee.
Plans for a press tour are pending.
Source: mlive.com
