Mayweather vs Mosley
By Graeme Bradley
Shane Mosley will finally have the fight he has always wanted when he steps into the ring against Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 1 in Las Vegas and ‘Sugar’ Shane could steal Manny Pacquiao’s thunder if he overcomes the undefeated Mayweather.
Mayweather and Pacquiao’s proposed mega-fight fell through after both camps failed to agree on how the fighters would be tested for drugs. Pac-Man was confident he could be the first to defeat ‘Money’, but with Mayweather now fighting Mosley the Filipino has lost the chance to prove it, much to the delight of Mosley.
The 38-year-old WBA super world welterweight champion has been gunning for a fight with Mayweather for years – which included confronting him live on TV in the aftermath of Mayweather’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez – and he has finally succeeded.
As expected, tensions have been high in the build-up to the fight with both fighters engaging in a scuffle during the latest press conference. If this is anything to go by it is likely to be a heated affair when they come face to face with their gloves laced.
Mosley is a noticeably big welterweight, at least compared to Mayweather’s most recent opponent Marquez who moved up weights to challenge the 33-year-old. Mosley’s strength and most recent performance against Antonio Margarito suggests he will be tough customer, but a lay-off of over a year may be decisive if the fight goes to the later rounds.
Meanwhile Pacquiao, who rejected calls for Olympic style blood tests, will face Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas. The Filipino superstar will be kicking himself should Mosley win, but with a rematch clause in the contract he may be waiting some time on an opportunity to fight the winner.
Pacquiao has spoken of his intention to retire should a fight with Mayweather fail to materialise, but two wins for Mosley could see an interesting match-up and one worth forcing Pacquiao to put his music, acting and political careers on hold for.
This, of course, is all in the assumption that Mosley can take out Mayweather – something which 40 fighters have failed to do, and not all of them have been forced to move up weights.
However, when it boils down to it, Mosley has a great chance of victory and, should Pacquiao hang around for a little longer, we could yet see some great fights at welterweight in the near future.
Source: sport.stv.tv
