By Ron Borges, Boston Herald
LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley both fight to win, but they don’t fight for the same reasons.
The 38-year-old Mosley often talks of his boxing legacy. In the days leading up to tonight’s fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, he openly spoke of how beating Mayweather would not only propel him back to the top of his sport but would cement his still debatable place among the best fighters of his era.
Mayweather, on the other hand, talks incessantly of but one thing. Although he will be the first to tell you of his greatness, the back of his shirt and his refusal to pay the sanction fee to make tonight a fight for the WBA welterweight title Mosley holds tell you his fistic focus.
“MONEY MAYWEATHER” it says across his back. “PHILTHY RICH” it says on a diamond encrusted medallion he sometimes wears on nights when he wants to look like a hood ornament. The point is clear. Mayweather is more interested in economics than history.
“I go into the gyms and talk to the young fighters and I tell them the truth,” said Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs). “When you’re an amateur the trophy is the money. When you turn professional you get a different kind of prize.
“I tell them you’re just an object. Once they’re done with you it’s over. I love fighting on the network (HBO), but they don’t love me. They love what I can do.”
What Mayweather believes he’ll do tonight, with the assistance of Mosley, is challenge the all-time pay-per-view record of 2.46 million buys, a record set when he defeated Mosley’s business partner, Oscar De La Hoya, in 2007. At $54.95 per household, that seems unlikely, but Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said Wednesday he believes the fight could do as many as 4 million buys, which is the kind of hyperbole normally expected of Mayweather.
Whatever it does it will be Mosley’s biggest payday. Yet while that may be Mayweather’s measuring stick, for Mosley the hurt business is not yet about business.
“This is our legacy on who’s the best fighter,” said Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs). “It’s a challenge I’m ready to take. I’m ready to go into the history books as the guy who beat Floyd Mayweather, the guy who beats everybody out there. The last guy standing.”
Mayweather is more concerned with being the guy with the highest standing pile of cash. He regularly travels The Strip with a gym bag stuffed with cash and during HBO’s 24/7 reality series on the fight, not an episode went by that he wasn’t piling up $100 bills.
Yet no one, least of all Mosley, should be fooled. At his core, Mayweather is a fighter. Tonight, he understands, he will be challenged by the quickest, hardest-punching welterweight he’s ever faced. It is a challenge for which he will be ready.
“Shane has talent,” Mayweather said. “I have a gift. No one has a chance to beat me. There’s a blue print to beat him because he’s lost five times already. Mosley has problems with boxers. He’s been dropped and wobbled on numerous occasions and now he’s facing someone sharp as a razor with two hands.
“They all talk about Shane’s strength. If we were in a weight-lifting match strength might have something to do with it, but we’re in a boxing match and I’m the best boxer in the sport. I can make anybody look like a nobody.”
That’s why he’s still counting his money, unafraid.
“All these fighters have a plan to beat Floyd Mayweather but it’s not that easy,” he said.
That’s true and the reason is he’s not just about counting his money after all. When the bell rings, he’s about fighting for it.
rborges@bostonherald.com
Source: bostonherald.com
Jumat, 30 April 2010
Mayweather not good enough for Leonard, Hearns era -- 15Rounds
By Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.com
LAS VEGAS – Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were two of the defining faces of the 1980s. Floyd Mayweather Jr. calls himself the face of boxing, better than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali and presumably better than either Leonard or Hearns.
To Leonard and Hearns, however, that Mayweather face looks like a beaten one if it had come along during their era.
“I really think Floyd would have been too small for us,’’ Hearns said Friday at a news conference that included Leonard, his current friend and old rival. “We were big welterweights.’’
Leonard agreed and added a twist of humor when asked to say how Mayweather would have fared against Hearns.
“I don’t think anybody could have beat Tommy Hearns but me,’’ said Leonard, who scored a 14th round stoppage of Hearns in a 1981 classic and fought him to draw in a 1989 rematch.
There’s some talk that boxing would be better off if Shane Mosley upsets Mayweather Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It would create other big bouts, including Mosley versus Manny Pacquiao. If Mayweather beats Mosley, there is doubt that he and Pacquiao will ever agree on a deal. Talks for a Pacquiao-Mayweatherfight in March fell apart over Mayweather’s demands for Olympic-style drug testing.
No matter what happens in Mosley-Mayweather, neither Hearns nor Leonard foresee a time that would approach their era, which included Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.
“It just happened,’’ Hearns said. “It was nothing we planned. In our day, we couldn’t pick and choose. We couldn’t duck fights. We had to fight the next guy out there. And we always did. That why, that time is remembered, even now.’’
Source: 15rounds.com
LAS VEGAS – Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were two of the defining faces of the 1980s. Floyd Mayweather Jr. calls himself the face of boxing, better than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali and presumably better than either Leonard or Hearns.
To Leonard and Hearns, however, that Mayweather face looks like a beaten one if it had come along during their era.
“I really think Floyd would have been too small for us,’’ Hearns said Friday at a news conference that included Leonard, his current friend and old rival. “We were big welterweights.’’
Leonard agreed and added a twist of humor when asked to say how Mayweather would have fared against Hearns.
“I don’t think anybody could have beat Tommy Hearns but me,’’ said Leonard, who scored a 14th round stoppage of Hearns in a 1981 classic and fought him to draw in a 1989 rematch.
There’s some talk that boxing would be better off if Shane Mosley upsets Mayweather Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It would create other big bouts, including Mosley versus Manny Pacquiao. If Mayweather beats Mosley, there is doubt that he and Pacquiao will ever agree on a deal. Talks for a Pacquiao-Mayweatherfight in March fell apart over Mayweather’s demands for Olympic-style drug testing.
No matter what happens in Mosley-Mayweather, neither Hearns nor Leonard foresee a time that would approach their era, which included Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.
“It just happened,’’ Hearns said. “It was nothing we planned. In our day, we couldn’t pick and choose. We couldn’t duck fights. We had to fight the next guy out there. And we always did. That why, that time is remembered, even now.’’
Source: 15rounds.com
Greats Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns discuss Mayweather-Mosley -- USA Today
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS — Two ring legends who know a big fight when they see one, weighed in Friday on Saturday's megafight between Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley.
Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, who fought two titanic battles at welterweight and super middleweight that spanned the 1980s, say the Mayweather-Mosley matchup is a battle for bragging rights more than anything else.
"I see this fight as rather intriguing," said Leonard, looking like he could still go a few rounds. "I know a lot of people are leaning toward Floyd Mayweather. Most of the time fights don't live up to expectations. But fights like this, with Mosley and Mayweather, are highly anticipated.
"I truly believe that these two guys will indeed live up to expectations, because whether they say it or not, it is about bragging rights. Yeah it's about the money. Everyone wants the money, but for the guy who wins, it's bragging rights."
Leonard, who ended his Hall of Fame career with a 36-3-1 record, said he has yet to see Mayweather hurt or knocked down, but, "on the other hand I see Sugar Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate his impeccable defense," he said. "I had a premonition the other night and I saw a knockout by someone. I am not a guru, I am not a psychic, but I did see a knockout."
Hearns, whose career spanned nearly 30 years (1977-2006), said about Saturday night's matchup (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET), "Mayweather will try to dominate with slick punches. He may do well. Shane is going to try to test and see if Mayweather can take a shot. We have to see if he can. Shane has the ability to punch and Floyd will have to be smart and slick.
"This is going to be a very good fight. I think it is going to be a very competitive fight. It is going to be a chess match."
Both fighters said this fight could not compare to their two fights — the first for the undisputed welterweight title in 1981, which ended with Leonard stopping Hearns in the 14th round, and the second for the super middleweight title in 1989 that ended in a draw.
I don't see it being the same as me and Ray," said Hearns. "We set the standard and it's going to be tough to top what we did. I am proud to know Ray Leonard.
"Ray brought the best out of me and I think I brought the best out of him. It's going to be a great fight this Saturday night, but don't look for the same thing as happened in our fight. That was a different era."
Asked to compare the state of boxing today and during their era, Leonard said there is no comparison.
"Back in the day, fights were highly anticipated. There were more personalities. There were more superstars in boxing," Leonard said. "It bothers me that we don't have an American heavyweight champion. To me it is a dark period right now. (But) boxing is a resilient sport. The amateur foundation has diminished significantly. Amateur boxers are going to be champions years later, and there needs to be more support and sponsorships for the amateur programs."
Asked about a fantasy matchup between Mayweather and one of them, Hearns said the size difference would be hard to overcome.
"I think that Floyd would have been too small for us. We were big welterweights," said Hearns, who finished his career with a 61-5-1 record (48 KOs). "Floyd is a small guy. I am not saying because he is small he wouldn't be able to do it, but it would have been very difficult. I think Ray knows more about that than I do."
Leonard certainly knew more about Hearns.
"Tommy is a freak of nature for a welterweight," he said. "He's big, strong, powerful, has a big heart, and I don't think anyone could beat Tommy Hearns… except me."
Source: usatoday.com
LAS VEGAS — Two ring legends who know a big fight when they see one, weighed in Friday on Saturday's megafight between Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley.
Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, who fought two titanic battles at welterweight and super middleweight that spanned the 1980s, say the Mayweather-Mosley matchup is a battle for bragging rights more than anything else.
"I see this fight as rather intriguing," said Leonard, looking like he could still go a few rounds. "I know a lot of people are leaning toward Floyd Mayweather. Most of the time fights don't live up to expectations. But fights like this, with Mosley and Mayweather, are highly anticipated.
"I truly believe that these two guys will indeed live up to expectations, because whether they say it or not, it is about bragging rights. Yeah it's about the money. Everyone wants the money, but for the guy who wins, it's bragging rights."
Leonard, who ended his Hall of Fame career with a 36-3-1 record, said he has yet to see Mayweather hurt or knocked down, but, "on the other hand I see Sugar Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate his impeccable defense," he said. "I had a premonition the other night and I saw a knockout by someone. I am not a guru, I am not a psychic, but I did see a knockout."
Hearns, whose career spanned nearly 30 years (1977-2006), said about Saturday night's matchup (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET), "Mayweather will try to dominate with slick punches. He may do well. Shane is going to try to test and see if Mayweather can take a shot. We have to see if he can. Shane has the ability to punch and Floyd will have to be smart and slick.
"This is going to be a very good fight. I think it is going to be a very competitive fight. It is going to be a chess match."
Both fighters said this fight could not compare to their two fights — the first for the undisputed welterweight title in 1981, which ended with Leonard stopping Hearns in the 14th round, and the second for the super middleweight title in 1989 that ended in a draw.
I don't see it being the same as me and Ray," said Hearns. "We set the standard and it's going to be tough to top what we did. I am proud to know Ray Leonard.
"Ray brought the best out of me and I think I brought the best out of him. It's going to be a great fight this Saturday night, but don't look for the same thing as happened in our fight. That was a different era."
Asked to compare the state of boxing today and during their era, Leonard said there is no comparison.
"Back in the day, fights were highly anticipated. There were more personalities. There were more superstars in boxing," Leonard said. "It bothers me that we don't have an American heavyweight champion. To me it is a dark period right now. (But) boxing is a resilient sport. The amateur foundation has diminished significantly. Amateur boxers are going to be champions years later, and there needs to be more support and sponsorships for the amateur programs."
Asked about a fantasy matchup between Mayweather and one of them, Hearns said the size difference would be hard to overcome.
"I think that Floyd would have been too small for us. We were big welterweights," said Hearns, who finished his career with a 61-5-1 record (48 KOs). "Floyd is a small guy. I am not saying because he is small he wouldn't be able to do it, but it would have been very difficult. I think Ray knows more about that than I do."
Leonard certainly knew more about Hearns.
"Tommy is a freak of nature for a welterweight," he said. "He's big, strong, powerful, has a big heart, and I don't think anyone could beat Tommy Hearns… except me."
Source: usatoday.com
Knockout Nation: Mayweather-Mosley Weigh-In, Leonard-Hearns Give Their Thoughts, Prediction for Tonight! -- AllHipHop
By Ismael AbduSalaam, AllHipHop.com
Less than an hour ago, Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley faced off one last time before they’ll engage in battle tomorrow night (May 1) in the MGM Grand for the welterweight title.
Fans at the weigh-in slightly favored Mosley, who looked great coming right in at 147 despite his last fight being in January 2009.
Mayweather was well-defined, and without having to worry about a catchweight like his last fight, came in at 146 pounds.
There wasn’t much trash-talking, as both men are likely well aware the hype has run its course.
Now that you’ve seen the weigh-in, read all the interviews, and reviewed their previous, who is going to win the May 1 showdown?
Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns Discuss Mayweather-Mosley
Marquee welterweight matchups always seem to capture the public’s imagination. Some, like Leonard-Duran, exceed all expectations and become classics. Others, such as De La Hoya-Trinidad, have all the ingredients but simply fall short.
So as we approach another epic showdown, it’s only fitting that Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard reflect on their phenomenal 1980 encounter, and what they expect tomorrow night.
"This is going to be a very good fight. I think it is going to be a very competitive fight. It is going to be a chess match,” Hearns explained. “I think Mayweather should do well with that style. I think Shane is going to try to test that and see how well he can get that shot in.”
Regarding whether the fight would be as good as his first fight with Leonard, the Hitman doubted if their styles could mesh as well.
"I don't see it being the same as me and Ray. We set the standard and it's going to be tough to top what we did,” Hearns stated. “I am proud to know Ray Leonard. Ray brought the best out of me and I think I brought the best out of him. It's going to be a great fight this Saturday night, but don't look for the same thing as happened in our fight. That was a different era.”
Sugar Ray Leonard disagreed with his former rival, believing Mayweather and Mosley can live up to previous welterweight classics.
“Most of the time fights don't live up to expectations. But fights like this, with Mosley and Mayweather, are highly anticipated,” he explained. “I truly believe that this fight here, these two guys will indeed live up to expectations, because whether they say it or not, it is about bragging rights. Yeah it's about the money. Everyone wants the money, but for the guy who wins, it's bragging rights.”
When asked how Mayweather would have done in their era, both were dismissive of Floyd’s chances.
“Floyd would have been too small for us. We were really big welterweights,” said Hearns. “He’s a small guy. We would’ve made it very difficult. Anytime you’re punching up at someone, that’s a big difference.”
Leonard agreed regarding a potential Mayweather-Hearns fantasy matchup.
“Tommy is a freak of nature for a welterweight. He's big, strong, powerful, has a big heart, and I don't think anyone could beat Tommy Hearns...except me,” Leonard quipped.
Look for footage of this special press conference after tomorrow night’s fight.
Mayweather-Mosley: True or False
In discussing this fight with fans and fellow fans, there have been several, oft repeated talking
points emerging. But are they really true? Let’s analyze.
1. Shane Mosley is the best opponent Floyd Mayweather has ever faced.
True.
Shane Mosley is a first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best welterweights of the last decade. Since arriving in the welterweight division in 2005, Floyd Mayweather has faced Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Manuel Marquez. None of these fighters are in Mosley’s league. And the same applies with his standout super featherweight and lightweight opponents in Diego Corrales and Genaro Hernandez.
Oscar De La Hoya was still good at 154 when Floyd faced him in 2007. However, Oscar was not pummeling the best of his division at that time with his sporadic schedule, unlike Mosley.
2. Mayweather is the best opponent Mosley has faced at 147.
True.
Because of the scrutiny applied to Mayweather’s welterweight record, this is often overlooked. With all due respect to Miguel Cotto, the only fighter close to Floyd on Mosley’s welterweight ledger is Oscar De La Hoya. Although the Golden Boy presented Mosley with a classic battle in 2000, I believe that Floyd is much smarter and craftier than the Golden Boy, which will force Mosley to make more adjustments in the ring that he did against Oscar, whom he was able to outwork and out brawl down the stretch to take the decision.
3. Since Miguel Cotto outfoxed and beat him, Shane has no chance outside of a KO against Mayweather.
Not True.
Before the Margarito and Pacquiao beatings, Cotto was arguably the best welterweight in world and without question had fought the best competition at the weight. Following the Mosley fight, Cotto had defeated 4 straight Top 10 welterweight contenders.
With Shane, he combined a hard jab and accurate, powerful hooks to keep Mosley honest early. Mosley’s iron chin saw him through a difficult first half, and the Puerto Rican star narrowly escaped with a close, but hard fought decision.
Cotto has much more power in his punches than Mayweather, and that was essential in keeping Mosley from overwhelming him early. Mayweather has deceptive, stinging power, but it remains to be seen if it’s enough to get Mosley’s respect. If not, Shane will continue pressing his attacks, most likely to the body. If his stamina holds after a 16 month layoff, and he’s worked on shortening his punches and continuing to enhance his jab (which looked good in the Margarito bout), there is a chance he can outwork Mayweather, who’s relegated his once great, varied combination offense to potshots at higher weights.
4. Mosley is too big and strong for Mayweather. Floyd will probably be roughed up.
Not True.
Mayweather has full grown into welterweight. When he first came back, there was talk that maybe he could still make 140. That went out the window last September against Marquez when Floyd couldn’t make the specified catch-weight of 142, costing him thousands of dollars. To date, Mayweather has shown toughness and held his ground in the trenches when faced with aggressive fighters. Against determined by lesser fighters in Emmanuel Augustus and Jesus Chavez, Mayweather dissected them with short uppercuts and hooks. When injured, he stood toe to toe in later rounds with a prime Jose Luis Castillo, which enabled him to escape with a disputed decision. Even in a division he had no business in at junior middleweight, Mayweather was able to control a bigger Oscar De La Hoya in the clinches.
A look at their weigh-in physiques show Mosley and Mayweather are very close in size, so it’s not a given Shane will the stronger man tomorrow night.
5. The winner will automatically face Manny Pacquiao next.
Not True.
There is a rematch clause in place, which most certainly will be exercised in the event the decision is disputed and the fight lives up to expectations. Top Rank and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum rather keep his funds in-house by pitting Manny against Antonio Margarito later this year.
It’s not what the people want, but how often do promoters listen to fans?
Prediction: Mayweather Unanimous Decision
It may have been a different story 10 years ago, but at this stage I believe that Mayweather has the ring smarts and style to frustrate Shane. It will be exciting at times, but Shane himself told me that he’s a expecting to make it a tactical, technical battle, and there’s no way he can beat Floyd at that game.
Mosley is a lot slower than the fighter he was when he burst onto the welterweight scene on 2000 in beating Oscar De La Hoya, and it’ll show when he’s in the ring with someone who’s not standing directly in front of him like Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito.
Joe Calzaghe to Make Return Against Super Six Winner?
Before the weigh-in, Golden Boy brought a host of fighters to be received by the crowd. Among them was retired, undefeated super middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe.
What struck me immediately was that Calzaghe appeared to be in great shape despite his last fight being 2 years ago!
Now, there have been unsubstantiated rumblings that Calzaghe has considered facing the winner of Showtime’s Super Six tournament. Previously I’d dismissed those rumors, but there may be some credence to them based on Calzaghe’s looking in fighting shape.
I’ll do my best to track the Welshman down and get to the bottom of it. It won’t be easy; we are in Vegas and Joe is known to party hard. Who knows how many clubs he’ll hit up tonight!
Mayweather-Mosley is live May 1 on HBO PPV at 9PM. Tonight’s airing of 24/7 Mayweather-Mosley is the final episode.
Source: allhiphop.com
Less than an hour ago, Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley faced off one last time before they’ll engage in battle tomorrow night (May 1) in the MGM Grand for the welterweight title.
Fans at the weigh-in slightly favored Mosley, who looked great coming right in at 147 despite his last fight being in January 2009.
Mayweather was well-defined, and without having to worry about a catchweight like his last fight, came in at 146 pounds.
There wasn’t much trash-talking, as both men are likely well aware the hype has run its course.
Now that you’ve seen the weigh-in, read all the interviews, and reviewed their previous, who is going to win the May 1 showdown?
Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns Discuss Mayweather-Mosley
Marquee welterweight matchups always seem to capture the public’s imagination. Some, like Leonard-Duran, exceed all expectations and become classics. Others, such as De La Hoya-Trinidad, have all the ingredients but simply fall short.
So as we approach another epic showdown, it’s only fitting that Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard reflect on their phenomenal 1980 encounter, and what they expect tomorrow night.
"This is going to be a very good fight. I think it is going to be a very competitive fight. It is going to be a chess match,” Hearns explained. “I think Mayweather should do well with that style. I think Shane is going to try to test that and see how well he can get that shot in.”
Regarding whether the fight would be as good as his first fight with Leonard, the Hitman doubted if their styles could mesh as well.
"I don't see it being the same as me and Ray. We set the standard and it's going to be tough to top what we did,” Hearns stated. “I am proud to know Ray Leonard. Ray brought the best out of me and I think I brought the best out of him. It's going to be a great fight this Saturday night, but don't look for the same thing as happened in our fight. That was a different era.”
Sugar Ray Leonard disagreed with his former rival, believing Mayweather and Mosley can live up to previous welterweight classics.
“Most of the time fights don't live up to expectations. But fights like this, with Mosley and Mayweather, are highly anticipated,” he explained. “I truly believe that this fight here, these two guys will indeed live up to expectations, because whether they say it or not, it is about bragging rights. Yeah it's about the money. Everyone wants the money, but for the guy who wins, it's bragging rights.”
When asked how Mayweather would have done in their era, both were dismissive of Floyd’s chances.
“Floyd would have been too small for us. We were really big welterweights,” said Hearns. “He’s a small guy. We would’ve made it very difficult. Anytime you’re punching up at someone, that’s a big difference.”
Leonard agreed regarding a potential Mayweather-Hearns fantasy matchup.
“Tommy is a freak of nature for a welterweight. He's big, strong, powerful, has a big heart, and I don't think anyone could beat Tommy Hearns...except me,” Leonard quipped.
Look for footage of this special press conference after tomorrow night’s fight.
Mayweather-Mosley: True or False
In discussing this fight with fans and fellow fans, there have been several, oft repeated talking
points emerging. But are they really true? Let’s analyze.
1. Shane Mosley is the best opponent Floyd Mayweather has ever faced.
True.
Shane Mosley is a first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best welterweights of the last decade. Since arriving in the welterweight division in 2005, Floyd Mayweather has faced Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Manuel Marquez. None of these fighters are in Mosley’s league. And the same applies with his standout super featherweight and lightweight opponents in Diego Corrales and Genaro Hernandez.
Oscar De La Hoya was still good at 154 when Floyd faced him in 2007. However, Oscar was not pummeling the best of his division at that time with his sporadic schedule, unlike Mosley.
2. Mayweather is the best opponent Mosley has faced at 147.
True.
Because of the scrutiny applied to Mayweather’s welterweight record, this is often overlooked. With all due respect to Miguel Cotto, the only fighter close to Floyd on Mosley’s welterweight ledger is Oscar De La Hoya. Although the Golden Boy presented Mosley with a classic battle in 2000, I believe that Floyd is much smarter and craftier than the Golden Boy, which will force Mosley to make more adjustments in the ring that he did against Oscar, whom he was able to outwork and out brawl down the stretch to take the decision.
3. Since Miguel Cotto outfoxed and beat him, Shane has no chance outside of a KO against Mayweather.
Not True.
Before the Margarito and Pacquiao beatings, Cotto was arguably the best welterweight in world and without question had fought the best competition at the weight. Following the Mosley fight, Cotto had defeated 4 straight Top 10 welterweight contenders.
With Shane, he combined a hard jab and accurate, powerful hooks to keep Mosley honest early. Mosley’s iron chin saw him through a difficult first half, and the Puerto Rican star narrowly escaped with a close, but hard fought decision.
Cotto has much more power in his punches than Mayweather, and that was essential in keeping Mosley from overwhelming him early. Mayweather has deceptive, stinging power, but it remains to be seen if it’s enough to get Mosley’s respect. If not, Shane will continue pressing his attacks, most likely to the body. If his stamina holds after a 16 month layoff, and he’s worked on shortening his punches and continuing to enhance his jab (which looked good in the Margarito bout), there is a chance he can outwork Mayweather, who’s relegated his once great, varied combination offense to potshots at higher weights.
4. Mosley is too big and strong for Mayweather. Floyd will probably be roughed up.
Not True.
Mayweather has full grown into welterweight. When he first came back, there was talk that maybe he could still make 140. That went out the window last September against Marquez when Floyd couldn’t make the specified catch-weight of 142, costing him thousands of dollars. To date, Mayweather has shown toughness and held his ground in the trenches when faced with aggressive fighters. Against determined by lesser fighters in Emmanuel Augustus and Jesus Chavez, Mayweather dissected them with short uppercuts and hooks. When injured, he stood toe to toe in later rounds with a prime Jose Luis Castillo, which enabled him to escape with a disputed decision. Even in a division he had no business in at junior middleweight, Mayweather was able to control a bigger Oscar De La Hoya in the clinches.
A look at their weigh-in physiques show Mosley and Mayweather are very close in size, so it’s not a given Shane will the stronger man tomorrow night.
5. The winner will automatically face Manny Pacquiao next.
Not True.
There is a rematch clause in place, which most certainly will be exercised in the event the decision is disputed and the fight lives up to expectations. Top Rank and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum rather keep his funds in-house by pitting Manny against Antonio Margarito later this year.
It’s not what the people want, but how often do promoters listen to fans?
Prediction: Mayweather Unanimous Decision
It may have been a different story 10 years ago, but at this stage I believe that Mayweather has the ring smarts and style to frustrate Shane. It will be exciting at times, but Shane himself told me that he’s a expecting to make it a tactical, technical battle, and there’s no way he can beat Floyd at that game.
Mosley is a lot slower than the fighter he was when he burst onto the welterweight scene on 2000 in beating Oscar De La Hoya, and it’ll show when he’s in the ring with someone who’s not standing directly in front of him like Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito.
Joe Calzaghe to Make Return Against Super Six Winner?
Before the weigh-in, Golden Boy brought a host of fighters to be received by the crowd. Among them was retired, undefeated super middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe.
What struck me immediately was that Calzaghe appeared to be in great shape despite his last fight being 2 years ago!
Now, there have been unsubstantiated rumblings that Calzaghe has considered facing the winner of Showtime’s Super Six tournament. Previously I’d dismissed those rumors, but there may be some credence to them based on Calzaghe’s looking in fighting shape.
I’ll do my best to track the Welshman down and get to the bottom of it. It won’t be easy; we are in Vegas and Joe is known to party hard. Who knows how many clubs he’ll hit up tonight!
Mayweather-Mosley is live May 1 on HBO PPV at 9PM. Tonight’s airing of 24/7 Mayweather-Mosley is the final episode.
Source: allhiphop.com
Mayweather’s Hands Stay Wrapped in Trust -- New York Times
By Greg Bishop, The New York Times
LAS VEGAS — On his business card, Rafael Garcia lists trainer-consultant-cutman as his occupation. But his specialty, his artistry, lies in his hands.
Garcia and the welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. hold that in common, although they employ their magic hands in different but related ways. Mayweather’s have delivered 40 victories against no losses. Garcia’s saved Mayweather’s career.
For all boxers, but Mayweather especially, hands hold the ultimate importance. Pain there helped force Mayweather into one sabbatical already, and had Garcia not joined his swollen entourage, Mayweather might have retired, hands down, for good.
Instead, he will fight Shane Mosley on Saturday here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Garcia in his corner and hands he swears feel as fresh as the first day he laced on boxing gloves.
“Those are very important hands,” Garcia said. “In those hands, there are millions of dollars. Millions and millions of dollars. I have to take care of that.”
Garcia spoke from inside the supply closet at Mayweather’s gym this week, a humble setting befitting an unassuming hand specialist with more than six decades of experience and some 35 world champions on his résumé.
None of this was handed to him. Garcia grew up in Puebla, Mexico, and started boxing at age 15, and even then, he studied the art he later mastered.
Now 81, Garcia has wrapped hands all over the United States, as well as Africa, Germany, England, China, Korea and his native Mexico. His list of champions includes Roberto Duran, nicknamed the Hands of Stone, Alexis Arguello, Wilfredo Gomez and Chad Dawson.
Garcia never learned another business. Asked to describe his hobbies outside boxing, he answered none. For this reason, for Garcia’s methods and expertise, Mayweather repeatedly labeled his cutman the best in the business this week.
After thousands of wraps, perhaps hundreds of thousands, Garcia claimed a 100 percent success rate.
“I never, never, never had any trouble,” he said. “Nobody has asked me to redo a wrap. Ever.”
Shortly after Mayweather arrived at his gym for a recent training session, he sat on a folding chair, extended his right wrist over another chair and motioned for Garcia to begin. Garcia massaged Mayweather from fingers to shoulders, slowly, carefully, using oil brought from Mexico to soften the ligaments and tendons and increase blood flow.
The gym was filled with people, but Mayweather and Garcia conducted this ritual as if alone. Garcia wrapped Mayweather’s hands with gauze and tape, each movement performed with the precision of a surgeon.
Garcia could wrap both hands in a matter of minutes, he said, but prefers to take his time. Their process usually lasts for 25 minutes, sometimes longer, right hand first, then left.
“I don’t rush it,” Garcia said. “I like to do them perfect, in the right way, the right moment. I have a feel for it.”
There was an obvious tenderness between the men, despite their differences. Mayweather briefly dropped the cocky persona he made famous. Garcia wiped sweat off the boxer’s brow, called him Champ and bobbed his head along with Mayweather to the hip-hop streaming from the speakers.
Nearly 50 years separate the two in age, but they have more in common than most might think. Both have spent their lives in boxing, surrounded by champions. Both appreciate boxing’s beauty and understand the subtle importance provided by properly wrapped hands.
“For him to be his age, it’s unbelievable,” Mayweather said. “He still gets around like he’s 30 years old. I mean, he still drives. He don’t wear glasses. He talks about sexy ladies.”
Earlier in Mayweather’s career, he fought with smaller gloves, and that, according to his trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather, led to bruised and brittle hands. Garcia auditioned for the role of hand specialist in late 2000, in front of a doctor and Mayweather’s advisers in Los Angeles.
He first worked Mayweather’s corner for a fight against Diego Corrales early the next year, and not immediately, but over years, Mayweather said, Garcia banished the pain that had plagued him.
The fixes were more nuanced than earth-shattering: Garcia said he wrapped Mayweather’s hands more loosely, augmenting technique with his special oil. The Nevada boxing commission even summoned Garcia to show his process to 20 of its inspectors.
That did not stop rumors from spreading that Mayweather shot painkillers into his hands, specifically Xylocaine, a substance legal only in Nevada and only under a doctor’s supervision.
“I’m from the hood,” Naazim Richardson, Mosley’s trainer, said on a recent conference call. “The only ’caine I want to hear is Big Daddy Kane.”
Mayweather and his adviser Leonard Ellerbe both vehemently denied that Mayweather had ever injected anything into his hands, insisting that jealous opponents had attempted to discredit Mayweather’s accomplishments.
Instead, they point to Garcia, the man Mayweather refers to as Granddaddy, as the solution. Garcia almost died once, his heart stopping before doctors revived him, bringing him back to life. According to Mayweather, Garcia did the same for his hands and, by extension, his career.
Thus the two head into this Mosley fight not so much brothers in arms, but brothers in hands. Magic hands, at that.
A version of this article appeared in print on May 1, 2010, on page D3 of the New York edition.
Source: nytimes.com
LAS VEGAS — On his business card, Rafael Garcia lists trainer-consultant-cutman as his occupation. But his specialty, his artistry, lies in his hands.
Garcia and the welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. hold that in common, although they employ their magic hands in different but related ways. Mayweather’s have delivered 40 victories against no losses. Garcia’s saved Mayweather’s career.
For all boxers, but Mayweather especially, hands hold the ultimate importance. Pain there helped force Mayweather into one sabbatical already, and had Garcia not joined his swollen entourage, Mayweather might have retired, hands down, for good.
Instead, he will fight Shane Mosley on Saturday here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Garcia in his corner and hands he swears feel as fresh as the first day he laced on boxing gloves.
“Those are very important hands,” Garcia said. “In those hands, there are millions of dollars. Millions and millions of dollars. I have to take care of that.”
Garcia spoke from inside the supply closet at Mayweather’s gym this week, a humble setting befitting an unassuming hand specialist with more than six decades of experience and some 35 world champions on his résumé.
None of this was handed to him. Garcia grew up in Puebla, Mexico, and started boxing at age 15, and even then, he studied the art he later mastered.
Now 81, Garcia has wrapped hands all over the United States, as well as Africa, Germany, England, China, Korea and his native Mexico. His list of champions includes Roberto Duran, nicknamed the Hands of Stone, Alexis Arguello, Wilfredo Gomez and Chad Dawson.
Garcia never learned another business. Asked to describe his hobbies outside boxing, he answered none. For this reason, for Garcia’s methods and expertise, Mayweather repeatedly labeled his cutman the best in the business this week.
After thousands of wraps, perhaps hundreds of thousands, Garcia claimed a 100 percent success rate.
“I never, never, never had any trouble,” he said. “Nobody has asked me to redo a wrap. Ever.”
Shortly after Mayweather arrived at his gym for a recent training session, he sat on a folding chair, extended his right wrist over another chair and motioned for Garcia to begin. Garcia massaged Mayweather from fingers to shoulders, slowly, carefully, using oil brought from Mexico to soften the ligaments and tendons and increase blood flow.
The gym was filled with people, but Mayweather and Garcia conducted this ritual as if alone. Garcia wrapped Mayweather’s hands with gauze and tape, each movement performed with the precision of a surgeon.
Garcia could wrap both hands in a matter of minutes, he said, but prefers to take his time. Their process usually lasts for 25 minutes, sometimes longer, right hand first, then left.
“I don’t rush it,” Garcia said. “I like to do them perfect, in the right way, the right moment. I have a feel for it.”
There was an obvious tenderness between the men, despite their differences. Mayweather briefly dropped the cocky persona he made famous. Garcia wiped sweat off the boxer’s brow, called him Champ and bobbed his head along with Mayweather to the hip-hop streaming from the speakers.
Nearly 50 years separate the two in age, but they have more in common than most might think. Both have spent their lives in boxing, surrounded by champions. Both appreciate boxing’s beauty and understand the subtle importance provided by properly wrapped hands.
“For him to be his age, it’s unbelievable,” Mayweather said. “He still gets around like he’s 30 years old. I mean, he still drives. He don’t wear glasses. He talks about sexy ladies.”
Earlier in Mayweather’s career, he fought with smaller gloves, and that, according to his trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather, led to bruised and brittle hands. Garcia auditioned for the role of hand specialist in late 2000, in front of a doctor and Mayweather’s advisers in Los Angeles.
He first worked Mayweather’s corner for a fight against Diego Corrales early the next year, and not immediately, but over years, Mayweather said, Garcia banished the pain that had plagued him.
The fixes were more nuanced than earth-shattering: Garcia said he wrapped Mayweather’s hands more loosely, augmenting technique with his special oil. The Nevada boxing commission even summoned Garcia to show his process to 20 of its inspectors.
That did not stop rumors from spreading that Mayweather shot painkillers into his hands, specifically Xylocaine, a substance legal only in Nevada and only under a doctor’s supervision.
“I’m from the hood,” Naazim Richardson, Mosley’s trainer, said on a recent conference call. “The only ’caine I want to hear is Big Daddy Kane.”
Mayweather and his adviser Leonard Ellerbe both vehemently denied that Mayweather had ever injected anything into his hands, insisting that jealous opponents had attempted to discredit Mayweather’s accomplishments.
Instead, they point to Garcia, the man Mayweather refers to as Granddaddy, as the solution. Garcia almost died once, his heart stopping before doctors revived him, bringing him back to life. According to Mayweather, Garcia did the same for his hands and, by extension, his career.
Thus the two head into this Mosley fight not so much brothers in arms, but brothers in hands. Magic hands, at that.
A version of this article appeared in print on May 1, 2010, on page D3 of the New York edition.
Source: nytimes.com
Bert Sugar: earning power could deter Mayweather-Pacquiao being made -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
It’s hard to disagree with Bert Randolph Sugar about anything on boxing. Let me re-phrase that. It’s hard to disagree with Bert about anything. He doesn’t let you. There’s no time. He’s onto the next story, the next joke, the next fight, his next book, and the next passer-by who wants their photo taken with him. Legend.
Sugar, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, with an MA in Business, has wound up writing about boxing for almost six decades. It started for him with Joe Louis for a local paper in Washington. He’s now 74 and going so strong that when he’s on a roll, he’s a runaway train.
I wouldn’t like to argue with him about boxing. He’s forgotten more things about the sport than I have ever learned, or will ever learn – and he also sparred with Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) as a teenager…I digress (I’m suffering from Sugarism). Well, actually Bert says as a College boxer he was known as the ‘Great White Hopeless’.
There is a point to this piece. It’s not just a eulogy to Sugar, boxing and writing historian, bon-viveur, raconteur and most importantly, a great friend to spend time with around the big fights. He made the point in the bar in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas last night. It is this…with the amount of money Floyd Mayweather is set to earn for his night’s work against Shane Mosley (around 58.5 million US dollars if pay-per-view buys on Home Box Office reach 2 million), should he win, it may make negotiations for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight impossible.
Bert is in the press room day in day out, working for HBO, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport, taking on endless interviews and radio appearances as seamlessly as a jacket crumpling into a suitcase. “Besides the obvious bad blood between them and I say that literally and figuratively, the hurt from the fact that it was alleged that he was on steroids, I can now see the monies that Floyd will generate from this fight, the empowerment he will feel as the all-time biggest generator of money, in his mind’s eye he can ask for more than 50 per cent of the purse, and I can see that as a deterrent to the fight being made. I can’t see the fight being made for that reason. He needs this fight with Pacquiao like Imelda Marcos needs another pair of shoes.”
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
It’s hard to disagree with Bert Randolph Sugar about anything on boxing. Let me re-phrase that. It’s hard to disagree with Bert about anything. He doesn’t let you. There’s no time. He’s onto the next story, the next joke, the next fight, his next book, and the next passer-by who wants their photo taken with him. Legend.
Sugar, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, with an MA in Business, has wound up writing about boxing for almost six decades. It started for him with Joe Louis for a local paper in Washington. He’s now 74 and going so strong that when he’s on a roll, he’s a runaway train.
I wouldn’t like to argue with him about boxing. He’s forgotten more things about the sport than I have ever learned, or will ever learn – and he also sparred with Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) as a teenager…I digress (I’m suffering from Sugarism). Well, actually Bert says as a College boxer he was known as the ‘Great White Hopeless’.
There is a point to this piece. It’s not just a eulogy to Sugar, boxing and writing historian, bon-viveur, raconteur and most importantly, a great friend to spend time with around the big fights. He made the point in the bar in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas last night. It is this…with the amount of money Floyd Mayweather is set to earn for his night’s work against Shane Mosley (around 58.5 million US dollars if pay-per-view buys on Home Box Office reach 2 million), should he win, it may make negotiations for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight impossible.
Bert is in the press room day in day out, working for HBO, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport, taking on endless interviews and radio appearances as seamlessly as a jacket crumpling into a suitcase. “Besides the obvious bad blood between them and I say that literally and figuratively, the hurt from the fact that it was alleged that he was on steroids, I can now see the monies that Floyd will generate from this fight, the empowerment he will feel as the all-time biggest generator of money, in his mind’s eye he can ask for more than 50 per cent of the purse, and I can see that as a deterrent to the fight being made. I can’t see the fight being made for that reason. He needs this fight with Pacquiao like Imelda Marcos needs another pair of shoes.”
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley: African American Super Stars -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
LAS VEGAS -- WBA champion, Shane Mosley, weighed in at the welterweight limite of 147 pounds, and his undefeated opponent, Floyd Mayweather, was a pound less at 146 before a raucous crowd of 6,000 screaming fans at The MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday.
The 33-year-old Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) and the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) will meet at the MGM on Saturday night in what is expected to be a high-energy match up of two of the sport's fastest, most skilled and most powerful fighters.
"The crowd was very good. Scott Ghertner [with the MGM] told me that it was about 6,000. I don't know if every single seat was taken, but it was an outstanding crowd," said ESPN boxing writer, Dan Rafael, whose organization televised the weigh-in live. "In terms of volume, it was a big as the biggest fights that I've been to."
Mosley will defend his title, but his crown will not be on the line for Mayweather, who refused to fork over the three percent sanctioning fee required by the WBA.
Both fighters displayed rippled, upper bodies, with Mosley appearing to be the much larger fighter, physically.
"Both guys looked like they were in incredible shape. When they stood and looked at each other in the staredown, they looked to be ready and focused," said 26-year-old WBC welterweight titlist, Andre Berto, who is 26-0, with 20 knockouts.
"The first thing that I thought of, though, was tha both of them are smaller than me. I was already comparing myself to them and envisioning what it would be like to fight them," said Berto. "Shane looks like he's in good shape. Floyd, you know, he always looks remarkable. They both looked like they're ready to go, and they have have huge tasks tomorrow night in what should be an exciting fight."
Being that the clash features not only two, American fighters, but two, African Americans, it harkens back to the era when Sugar Ray Leonard, of Palmer Park, MD., and, Thomas Hearns, of Detroit, created a buzz during Leonard's September of 1981, come-from-behind, 14th-round knockout in The Fight Of The Year.
"It's been a long time since there has been a non-heavyweight fight and even a fight among two heavyweights where it's been two American fighters who were two, black super stars. It does harken back to a time when most of the American fighters were black super stars in maybe the 1970s, or even the early part of the 1980s," said Rafael.
"That's why they had Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard here at this promotion talking about the fight. They were two, big, super star African American fighters who also happened to put on great fights in the welterweight division," said Rafael.
"Although, this is not the same kind of fight between Mosley and Mayweather, because they're different kinds of fighters," said Rafael. "But this might be this time period's version of Leonard-Hearns in terms of the level that these guys are at in the sport, although not in terms of overall popularity in the sport."
Famed ring announcer, Michael Buffer, said "this might be a record for a weigh-in," which drew a loud cheer from the crowd.
Comedian, George Wallace, whipped the fans into a further frenzy by asking which fighter would be victorious.
Similar attendance greated seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, and, Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, at the weigh-in before Pacquiao's 12-round knockout dethroned Cotto as WBO welterweight king in November.
"But the passion at today's weigh-in was not like that of two countries following the fight. Mayweather-Mosley is not an all-British fight. It's not a nationalistic fight. It's two Americans from a huge country and the fans were there. But they didn't have that overwhelming passion for either guy," said Rafael.
"You can't compare it to like you see when you have a Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight," said Rafael. "Or big, Mexican fight between an Erik Morales and a Marco Antonio Barrera, or a Juan Manuel Marquez where there's an overwhelming intensity."
Mayweather will earn a non-heavyweight record, $22.5 million guaranteed purse for the bout, plus any upside to the HBO-televised pay per view bout.
Mosley has been guaranteed $7 million, plus upside to a clash that Golden Boy CEO, Richard Schaefer, expects to generate 4 million pay per view buys.
"To have 6,000 people there at the weigh-in, I can't remember the last time that has happened. Maybe when we had Mayweather-Hatton, I think that you compare that favorably where all the way up the stands people where there. I haven't see this for any other fight. That's a pretty good indication,"
"You mention that it's a match between two, African American fighters, but it wasn't just an African American audience. It was really an audience of any and all demographics, and I think that that is exactly why this fight is tracking so well. Is it driven by the urban market? Absolutely," said Schaefer.
"But the name recognition that both of these fighters have among the fans, that brings you to a certain pay per view level. Based on what I see now, the early indications are that has grown outside and beyond just the urban market and has really captured the general market everywhere from the East Coast to the West Coast and in between," said Schaefer. "People are talking, forming their opinions, and it's almost like an election, with Saturday night being the election night."
If achieved, that pay per view number would eclipse the pay per view record of 2.4 million buys held by the fight during which Mayweather earned a split-decision over Oscar de la Hoya in May of 2007.
"I respect Richard Schaefer as much as anybody in the business, and Richard is a promoter, he's doing his job," said Rafael. "But I do not believe that the fight will do 4 million," said Rafael. "But if it does do 4 million, wonderful. That would mean that boxing is more alive and well than I think that it is."
Hearns was introduced along with several other past, and, present world titlists, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, and, Marco Antonio Barrera, of Mexico; Joe Calzahge, and, Ricky Hatton, of England; and Andre Berto, and, Sergio Mora, of the United States.
"It was a crazy situation, man, being up there with all of those guys because I looked up to them for so many years, back to the days when I was an amateur," said Berto. "But today, I was right there on the podium with them, and it was a beautiful thing."
As for Mayweather and Mosley, there were few words, if any, spoken during the staredown, although Mosley appeared to mouth something to a silent Mayweather.
"I put in a lot of work of work. [Trainer] Roger [Mayweather] and my dad did a great job. I'm ready for the fight. The key is to be smart. I have to do what I've always done. I have to establish my jab and fight a smart fight," said Mayweather, whom Mosley has vowed to knock out.
"It could end in a knockout if he comes in," said Mayweather, implying that he, not Mosley, would be the winner in the case of a stoppage. "But I just have to be smart and use my jab."
Mosley believes that, as the bigger man, he must impose his will on Mayweather.
"The key to the fight is my speed and power. I've always had power, even when I was a lightweight [135 pounds.] Also, in this weight class, I'm strong, and I can knock anyone out."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
LAS VEGAS -- WBA champion, Shane Mosley, weighed in at the welterweight limite of 147 pounds, and his undefeated opponent, Floyd Mayweather, was a pound less at 146 before a raucous crowd of 6,000 screaming fans at The MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday.
The 33-year-old Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) and the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) will meet at the MGM on Saturday night in what is expected to be a high-energy match up of two of the sport's fastest, most skilled and most powerful fighters.
"The crowd was very good. Scott Ghertner [with the MGM] told me that it was about 6,000. I don't know if every single seat was taken, but it was an outstanding crowd," said ESPN boxing writer, Dan Rafael, whose organization televised the weigh-in live. "In terms of volume, it was a big as the biggest fights that I've been to."
Mosley will defend his title, but his crown will not be on the line for Mayweather, who refused to fork over the three percent sanctioning fee required by the WBA.
Both fighters displayed rippled, upper bodies, with Mosley appearing to be the much larger fighter, physically.
"Both guys looked like they were in incredible shape. When they stood and looked at each other in the staredown, they looked to be ready and focused," said 26-year-old WBC welterweight titlist, Andre Berto, who is 26-0, with 20 knockouts.
"The first thing that I thought of, though, was tha both of them are smaller than me. I was already comparing myself to them and envisioning what it would be like to fight them," said Berto. "Shane looks like he's in good shape. Floyd, you know, he always looks remarkable. They both looked like they're ready to go, and they have have huge tasks tomorrow night in what should be an exciting fight."
Being that the clash features not only two, American fighters, but two, African Americans, it harkens back to the era when Sugar Ray Leonard, of Palmer Park, MD., and, Thomas Hearns, of Detroit, created a buzz during Leonard's September of 1981, come-from-behind, 14th-round knockout in The Fight Of The Year.
"It's been a long time since there has been a non-heavyweight fight and even a fight among two heavyweights where it's been two American fighters who were two, black super stars. It does harken back to a time when most of the American fighters were black super stars in maybe the 1970s, or even the early part of the 1980s," said Rafael.
"That's why they had Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard here at this promotion talking about the fight. They were two, big, super star African American fighters who also happened to put on great fights in the welterweight division," said Rafael.
"Although, this is not the same kind of fight between Mosley and Mayweather, because they're different kinds of fighters," said Rafael. "But this might be this time period's version of Leonard-Hearns in terms of the level that these guys are at in the sport, although not in terms of overall popularity in the sport."
Famed ring announcer, Michael Buffer, said "this might be a record for a weigh-in," which drew a loud cheer from the crowd.
Comedian, George Wallace, whipped the fans into a further frenzy by asking which fighter would be victorious.
Similar attendance greated seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, and, Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, at the weigh-in before Pacquiao's 12-round knockout dethroned Cotto as WBO welterweight king in November.
"But the passion at today's weigh-in was not like that of two countries following the fight. Mayweather-Mosley is not an all-British fight. It's not a nationalistic fight. It's two Americans from a huge country and the fans were there. But they didn't have that overwhelming passion for either guy," said Rafael.
"You can't compare it to like you see when you have a Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight," said Rafael. "Or big, Mexican fight between an Erik Morales and a Marco Antonio Barrera, or a Juan Manuel Marquez where there's an overwhelming intensity."
Mayweather will earn a non-heavyweight record, $22.5 million guaranteed purse for the bout, plus any upside to the HBO-televised pay per view bout.
Mosley has been guaranteed $7 million, plus upside to a clash that Golden Boy CEO, Richard Schaefer, expects to generate 4 million pay per view buys.
"To have 6,000 people there at the weigh-in, I can't remember the last time that has happened. Maybe when we had Mayweather-Hatton, I think that you compare that favorably where all the way up the stands people where there. I haven't see this for any other fight. That's a pretty good indication,"
"You mention that it's a match between two, African American fighters, but it wasn't just an African American audience. It was really an audience of any and all demographics, and I think that that is exactly why this fight is tracking so well. Is it driven by the urban market? Absolutely," said Schaefer.
"But the name recognition that both of these fighters have among the fans, that brings you to a certain pay per view level. Based on what I see now, the early indications are that has grown outside and beyond just the urban market and has really captured the general market everywhere from the East Coast to the West Coast and in between," said Schaefer. "People are talking, forming their opinions, and it's almost like an election, with Saturday night being the election night."
If achieved, that pay per view number would eclipse the pay per view record of 2.4 million buys held by the fight during which Mayweather earned a split-decision over Oscar de la Hoya in May of 2007.
"I respect Richard Schaefer as much as anybody in the business, and Richard is a promoter, he's doing his job," said Rafael. "But I do not believe that the fight will do 4 million," said Rafael. "But if it does do 4 million, wonderful. That would mean that boxing is more alive and well than I think that it is."
Hearns was introduced along with several other past, and, present world titlists, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, and, Marco Antonio Barrera, of Mexico; Joe Calzahge, and, Ricky Hatton, of England; and Andre Berto, and, Sergio Mora, of the United States.
"It was a crazy situation, man, being up there with all of those guys because I looked up to them for so many years, back to the days when I was an amateur," said Berto. "But today, I was right there on the podium with them, and it was a beautiful thing."
As for Mayweather and Mosley, there were few words, if any, spoken during the staredown, although Mosley appeared to mouth something to a silent Mayweather.
"I put in a lot of work of work. [Trainer] Roger [Mayweather] and my dad did a great job. I'm ready for the fight. The key is to be smart. I have to do what I've always done. I have to establish my jab and fight a smart fight," said Mayweather, whom Mosley has vowed to knock out.
"It could end in a knockout if he comes in," said Mayweather, implying that he, not Mosley, would be the winner in the case of a stoppage. "But I just have to be smart and use my jab."
Mosley believes that, as the bigger man, he must impose his will on Mayweather.
"The key to the fight is my speed and power. I've always had power, even when I was a lightweight [135 pounds.] Also, in this weight class, I'm strong, and I can knock anyone out."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Mayweather, Mosley make weight for Saturday's fight -- USA Today
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS — With a backdrop of eight former champions lined up behind them and a crowd of about 6,000 looking on, Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley stepped on the scales Friday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the official weigh-in for their welterweight mega-fight Saturday night.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) stepped up first, and weighed in at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. The WBA champ said Thursday that he has not had any trouble keeping his weight down. He said by fight time he expected to weight about 156 or 157.
"I'm excited about the fight, and ready to go, and me and Mayweather are going to get it on," Mosley told Las Vegas-based comedian George Wallace, who was emceeing the event along with boxing announcer Michael Buffer.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) then stepped up, and, still in stocking feet, weighed in at 146, one pound under the limit.
The boxers then posed together, with Mosley's upper body appearing considerably larger than Mayweather's.
"I had a great camp," said Mayweather. "I put in a lot of work. (Trainer and uncle) Roger (Mayweather) and my dad (Floyd Sr.) did a great job."
Mayweather, who is guaranteed $22.5 million for the fight but could make a lot more depending on pay-per-view buys, said the key to the fight is to "be smart. I have to do what I've always done — establish my jab and fight a smart fight."
Asked about Mosley saying he would knock him out, Mayweather said, "It could end in a knockout. If he comes in, it could end in a knockout."
Mosley, who is guaranteed $7 million, said the key to the fight is "my speed and power. I've always had power, even as a lightweight," he said. "Also in this weight class, I'm strong and can knock anyone out."
At least two of Mayweather's former opponents were present for the weigh-in.
Ricky "The Hit Man" Hatton, who was KO'd by Mayweather in the 10th round in December 2008, and Juan Manuel Marquez, Mayweather's most recent opponent, who lost a unanimous decision to the man who calls himself "Money" in September 2009.
Other former champions on the stage included Joe Calzaghe, the "Pride of Wales" who retired undefeated at 46-0 after beating Roy Jones Jr. in November 2008; Andre Berto, who was scheduled to fight Mosley on Jan. 30 before the tragic earthquake struck Berto's family's homeland of Haiti, and the WBC welterweight champion pulled out of the fight, creating the opening for Mosley to fight Mayweather.
Berto fought two weeks ago, beating Carols Quintana by an 8th-round TKO to raise his record to 26-0 with 20 KOs.
Also present for the weigh-in were former welterweight champion Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, who fought legendary battles from welterweight to middleweight against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran in the '70s and '80s, and Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican "Baby-faced Assassin", who fought a memorable trilogy against fellow Mexican Erik Morales early in the last decade, and lost twice to current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
The Mayweather-Mosley fight will be televised by HBO pay-per-view Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, $54.95).
Source: usatoday.com
LAS VEGAS — With a backdrop of eight former champions lined up behind them and a crowd of about 6,000 looking on, Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley stepped on the scales Friday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the official weigh-in for their welterweight mega-fight Saturday night.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) stepped up first, and weighed in at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. The WBA champ said Thursday that he has not had any trouble keeping his weight down. He said by fight time he expected to weight about 156 or 157.
"I'm excited about the fight, and ready to go, and me and Mayweather are going to get it on," Mosley told Las Vegas-based comedian George Wallace, who was emceeing the event along with boxing announcer Michael Buffer.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) then stepped up, and, still in stocking feet, weighed in at 146, one pound under the limit.
The boxers then posed together, with Mosley's upper body appearing considerably larger than Mayweather's.
"I had a great camp," said Mayweather. "I put in a lot of work. (Trainer and uncle) Roger (Mayweather) and my dad (Floyd Sr.) did a great job."
Mayweather, who is guaranteed $22.5 million for the fight but could make a lot more depending on pay-per-view buys, said the key to the fight is to "be smart. I have to do what I've always done — establish my jab and fight a smart fight."
Asked about Mosley saying he would knock him out, Mayweather said, "It could end in a knockout. If he comes in, it could end in a knockout."
Mosley, who is guaranteed $7 million, said the key to the fight is "my speed and power. I've always had power, even as a lightweight," he said. "Also in this weight class, I'm strong and can knock anyone out."
At least two of Mayweather's former opponents were present for the weigh-in.
Ricky "The Hit Man" Hatton, who was KO'd by Mayweather in the 10th round in December 2008, and Juan Manuel Marquez, Mayweather's most recent opponent, who lost a unanimous decision to the man who calls himself "Money" in September 2009.
Other former champions on the stage included Joe Calzaghe, the "Pride of Wales" who retired undefeated at 46-0 after beating Roy Jones Jr. in November 2008; Andre Berto, who was scheduled to fight Mosley on Jan. 30 before the tragic earthquake struck Berto's family's homeland of Haiti, and the WBC welterweight champion pulled out of the fight, creating the opening for Mosley to fight Mayweather.
Berto fought two weeks ago, beating Carols Quintana by an 8th-round TKO to raise his record to 26-0 with 20 KOs.
Also present for the weigh-in were former welterweight champion Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, who fought legendary battles from welterweight to middleweight against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran in the '70s and '80s, and Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican "Baby-faced Assassin", who fought a memorable trilogy against fellow Mexican Erik Morales early in the last decade, and lost twice to current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
The Mayweather-Mosley fight will be televised by HBO pay-per-view Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, $54.95).
Source: usatoday.com
Mayweather bout no instant classic, says Hearns -- Reuters
By Kieran Mulvaney, Reuters
(Reuters) - Boxing great Thomas Hearns does not expect Saturday's welterweight fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley to attain the stature his bout with Sugar Ray Leonard did 29 years ago.
In September 1981, then-WBA welterweight champion Hearns met WBC title holder Leonard in a hotly anticipated unification bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Now, six-times world champion Mayweather is set to put his unbeaten record on the line against fellow American Mosley in a non-title welterweight fight on Saturday that has drawn plenty of attention.
"I may be a little partial, but I just don't see them doing the same thing," Hearns told reporters on Friday. "Our fight has been talked about for decades and decades."
Hearns built an early lead in the fight but Leonard rallied to knock Hearns down in the 13th round and stopped him in the following round. Ring Magazine called it the 'Fight of the Year' and the clash has long been regarded as a classic.
Leonard would not predict a winner in the contest between Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) but did say he expects a knockdown.
Hearns, a former five-weight world champion and 1976 Olympic gold medallist, said he expects Mayweather to come out and dominate.
"I know most people are leaning towards Floyd Mayweather and so am I. I give him the edge," said Hearns, "I have yet to see him hurt or knocked down. But on the other hand, I see Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate the defence of Mayweather."
Neither Hall of Famer took exception to comments from Mayweather this week he is the greatest fighter of all time, or that his record exceeds that of former greats Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.
"Fighters have to believe they're better than anybody," said Leonard. "It's a confidence bordering on arrogance. But I would have expressed it a little better."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
Source: uk.reuters.com
(Reuters) - Boxing great Thomas Hearns does not expect Saturday's welterweight fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley to attain the stature his bout with Sugar Ray Leonard did 29 years ago.
In September 1981, then-WBA welterweight champion Hearns met WBC title holder Leonard in a hotly anticipated unification bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Now, six-times world champion Mayweather is set to put his unbeaten record on the line against fellow American Mosley in a non-title welterweight fight on Saturday that has drawn plenty of attention.
"I may be a little partial, but I just don't see them doing the same thing," Hearns told reporters on Friday. "Our fight has been talked about for decades and decades."
Hearns built an early lead in the fight but Leonard rallied to knock Hearns down in the 13th round and stopped him in the following round. Ring Magazine called it the 'Fight of the Year' and the clash has long been regarded as a classic.
Leonard would not predict a winner in the contest between Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) but did say he expects a knockdown.
Hearns, a former five-weight world champion and 1976 Olympic gold medallist, said he expects Mayweather to come out and dominate.
"I know most people are leaning towards Floyd Mayweather and so am I. I give him the edge," said Hearns, "I have yet to see him hurt or knocked down. But on the other hand, I see Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate the defence of Mayweather."
Neither Hall of Famer took exception to comments from Mayweather this week he is the greatest fighter of all time, or that his record exceeds that of former greats Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.
"Fighters have to believe they're better than anybody," said Leonard. "It's a confidence bordering on arrogance. But I would have expressed it a little better."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
Source: uk.reuters.com
Mayweather, Mosley make weight -- The Ring
The Ring
LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley made weight for their welterweight fight Saturday at the MGM Grand.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) weighed in at 146 pounds while wearing boxers and socks, one pound under the limit. He weighed the same in his last fight, a one-sided decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in September.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) weighed 147 in just underwear, his weight when he knocked out Antonio Margarito in January of last year.
A cordoned off portion of the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the site of the fight, was packed with several thousand people.
Michael Buffer, the ring announcer and one of the MCs for the weigh in, asked the crowd to cheer for the fighter they believed would win. Mosley, it seemed, had an edge.
Earlier, Mexican prospect Saul "Canelo" Alvarez weighed in at 150 pounds for his junior welterweight fight against Jose Miguel Cotto, the brother of Miguel Cotto. Cotto weighed 149.
Source: ringtv.com
LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley made weight for their welterweight fight Saturday at the MGM Grand.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) weighed in at 146 pounds while wearing boxers and socks, one pound under the limit. He weighed the same in his last fight, a one-sided decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in September.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) weighed 147 in just underwear, his weight when he knocked out Antonio Margarito in January of last year.
A cordoned off portion of the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the site of the fight, was packed with several thousand people.
Michael Buffer, the ring announcer and one of the MCs for the weigh in, asked the crowd to cheer for the fighter they believed would win. Mosley, it seemed, had an edge.
Earlier, Mexican prospect Saul "Canelo" Alvarez weighed in at 150 pounds for his junior welterweight fight against Jose Miguel Cotto, the brother of Miguel Cotto. Cotto weighed 149.
Source: ringtv.com
Mayweather Weighs 146, Mosley Is 147 -- The Sweet Science
By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science
No surprises at the weigh in for Saturday night's welterweight clash between undefeated Floyd Mayweather, who's seeking to grab pound for pound top billing and wider acclaim as an all-time great, and Shane Mosley, seeking the signature win as his career winds down.
The 33-year-old Mayweather weighed 146 pounds. Mosley, age 38, was 147 pounds in the weigh in held at the MGM in Las Vegas, the site of tomorrow night's tussle. Some will recall Mayweather spurred some drama when he came in heavy for his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez last May. The contract called for the fighters to weigh 144 or less, and Mayweather weighed 146 pounds, and had to pay off JMM for the extra poundage.
Tommy Hearns appeared, and greeted the crowd. He said every time he sees Ray Leonard he flashes back to 1989, and asks Ray if he wants to fight one more time. Joe Calzaghe, Marco Antonio Barrera, Joe Calzaghe, Andre Berto, Sergio Mora, Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton were also in the house, according to Michael Buffer, who emceed with comedian George Wallace. Berto said he thinks Mayweather will take it, and said he'd like to fight whoever wins.
The main undercard for the big bout is a Saul Canelo Alvarez-Jose Miguel Cotto clash, Alvarez scaled in at 150 pounds, while Cotto weighed 149 pounds. Regular readers know I'm not a fan of the less than stacked undercards that we are given. This one might be a barn burner, but call me greedy, what about another title fight, or even two, for the premium price people will be paying? Go the UFC route, and give people a bunch of compelling bouts, instead of using PPV undercards as resume builders/infomercials for the rest of your stable. It's a no brainer, from my perspective, but from a short-term cost perspective, this makes sense to the promoters. You will never, ever, convince me of the validity and soundness of this practice.
Source: thesweetscience.com
No surprises at the weigh in for Saturday night's welterweight clash between undefeated Floyd Mayweather, who's seeking to grab pound for pound top billing and wider acclaim as an all-time great, and Shane Mosley, seeking the signature win as his career winds down.
The 33-year-old Mayweather weighed 146 pounds. Mosley, age 38, was 147 pounds in the weigh in held at the MGM in Las Vegas, the site of tomorrow night's tussle. Some will recall Mayweather spurred some drama when he came in heavy for his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez last May. The contract called for the fighters to weigh 144 or less, and Mayweather weighed 146 pounds, and had to pay off JMM for the extra poundage.
Tommy Hearns appeared, and greeted the crowd. He said every time he sees Ray Leonard he flashes back to 1989, and asks Ray if he wants to fight one more time. Joe Calzaghe, Marco Antonio Barrera, Joe Calzaghe, Andre Berto, Sergio Mora, Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton were also in the house, according to Michael Buffer, who emceed with comedian George Wallace. Berto said he thinks Mayweather will take it, and said he'd like to fight whoever wins.
The main undercard for the big bout is a Saul Canelo Alvarez-Jose Miguel Cotto clash, Alvarez scaled in at 150 pounds, while Cotto weighed 149 pounds. Regular readers know I'm not a fan of the less than stacked undercards that we are given. This one might be a barn burner, but call me greedy, what about another title fight, or even two, for the premium price people will be paying? Go the UFC route, and give people a bunch of compelling bouts, instead of using PPV undercards as resume builders/infomercials for the rest of your stable. It's a no brainer, from my perspective, but from a short-term cost perspective, this makes sense to the promoters. You will never, ever, convince me of the validity and soundness of this practice.
Source: thesweetscience.com
Mosley facing a ring 'genius' -- Orange County Register
By MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
LAS VEGAS – If there is a Hall of Fame for Backhanded Compliments, Naazim Richardson enshrined himself on Thursday.
Richardson, who trains Shane Mosley, was explaining how Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be so artful inside a ring and so juvenile outside it.
"Everybody here has got an uncle who is a pure idiot, but he can fix the hell out of a carburetor," Richardson said. "Your dad won't let nobody touch the car but him. And he's the dumbest guy on the floor, but when he gets up under that car, he's a genius.
"You got to respect the genius. I respect the genius that is in the ring."
It will take all of Mayweather's internal combustion to beat Mosley Saturday night at the MGM Grand, in one of those crossroads fights that makes you swipe your credit card, fire up the grill, call up the neighbors and once again pay attention to the boxing industry which, like the newspaper industry, is entering perhaps the seventh decade of its death spiral.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, firmly believes Mayweather-Mosley will break the pay-per-view record of 2.4 million set by Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather is hoping for 2.4 million and one: "Let Manny Pacquiao put up the $69.95 and watch it on his couch," he proclaimed.
Pacquiao-Mayweather was supposed to beat the record, but that fight collapsed under Mayweather's insistence that Pacquiao take blood tests. Mosley, who was named in the BALCO investigation, has taken and passed seven.
Mosley gave Antonio Margarito a monstrous beating, but that fight was Jan. 25, 2009, or two Super Bowls ago. He hasn't boxed since.
Richardson worries that the rust will prevent Mosley from starting strong – "and you can't have a slow start against a fast rabbit," he said. "The tortoise and the hare is a great story, but we know it's bull."
He sighed.
"The reason the layoff was difficult is Shane Mosley," he said.
"We sent Shane on vacation. He went to Colombia. If I go to Colombia I'm not sure I'm getting out of the car. But he sent back pictures."
Richardson noticed a large person in one of the pictures, posing with Mosley.
"Did they give you a bodyguard down there?" he asked.
"Naw, I've been down here sparring," Mosley replied.
"You're on vacation, man."
"Naw, but they have a gym down here, and they don't have any ropes, and they have a cement ring mat."
Then Mosley came back and packed up 10 boxes of gloves and equipment and shipped it to the Colombian gym.
"But that's just Shane Mosley," Richardson said, shrugging. "He's a Viking. He wants to leave his enemies on the battlefield."
Richardson had the same reaction when Mosley wanted to fight middleweight Winky Wright: "Why don't you go ahead and fight the Klitschkos?" And Wright beat Mosley twice.
Still, Richardson believes Mosley is unbeatable at 147 pounds.
"As a welterweight, Mayweather hasn't fought a welterweight who is a world champion," Mosley said.
Richardson also believes Mosley's refusal to lose his pre-fight cool will also translate into a stoic performance in the ring.
"You see the press conference yesterday," Richardson said. "Floyd was acting like Shane. So we've won that battle. Besides, all great fighters use deception. Bernard Hopkins was all gangster until he got in the ring and then he was a technical fighter. Shane gives you the smile like he wants to sell you car insurance. But he's the first guy who has the IQ and the athleticism to do this."
Although Golden Boy has promoted this fight on the basis of polarization, a consensus has formed around Mayweather. "Shane has problems with speed and movement and he likes guys to come to him, so it's going to be difficult," said Freddie Roach's, Pacquiao's trainer and thus no advocate of Mayweather's.
Others say Mosley will be the first to bash Mayweather's ribs and slow down his legs.
But it would be easier to visualize if we only had some snapshot, some precedent, some instance of Mayweather staggering. Even Richardson admits he's never seen Mayweather get rocked by a significant combination.
A 40-0 record is rarer than you think. Since 1900, only three fighters were 40-0 when their careers ended: Rocky Marciano, Joe Calzaghe and flyweight Ricardo Lopez.
It also brings a mythic veneer. Mosley has prepared to win. Mayweather knows nothing else.
"But when I saw Muhammad Ali lose, I realized anybody could," Richardson said. "Besides, Shane was 38-0 at one point himelf. The Mayweathers talk about Ray Robinson being the best. Well, he lost, too (to Jake LaMotta).
"And Robinson was 40-0."
So was Felix Trinidad when he lost to Hopkins, whom Richardson trained.
One thing about geniuses, and idiots. They don't recognize probability.
Contact the writer: mwhicker@ocregister.com
Source: ocregister.com
LAS VEGAS – If there is a Hall of Fame for Backhanded Compliments, Naazim Richardson enshrined himself on Thursday.
Richardson, who trains Shane Mosley, was explaining how Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be so artful inside a ring and so juvenile outside it.
"Everybody here has got an uncle who is a pure idiot, but he can fix the hell out of a carburetor," Richardson said. "Your dad won't let nobody touch the car but him. And he's the dumbest guy on the floor, but when he gets up under that car, he's a genius.
"You got to respect the genius. I respect the genius that is in the ring."
It will take all of Mayweather's internal combustion to beat Mosley Saturday night at the MGM Grand, in one of those crossroads fights that makes you swipe your credit card, fire up the grill, call up the neighbors and once again pay attention to the boxing industry which, like the newspaper industry, is entering perhaps the seventh decade of its death spiral.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, firmly believes Mayweather-Mosley will break the pay-per-view record of 2.4 million set by Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather is hoping for 2.4 million and one: "Let Manny Pacquiao put up the $69.95 and watch it on his couch," he proclaimed.
Pacquiao-Mayweather was supposed to beat the record, but that fight collapsed under Mayweather's insistence that Pacquiao take blood tests. Mosley, who was named in the BALCO investigation, has taken and passed seven.
Mosley gave Antonio Margarito a monstrous beating, but that fight was Jan. 25, 2009, or two Super Bowls ago. He hasn't boxed since.
Richardson worries that the rust will prevent Mosley from starting strong – "and you can't have a slow start against a fast rabbit," he said. "The tortoise and the hare is a great story, but we know it's bull."
He sighed.
"The reason the layoff was difficult is Shane Mosley," he said.
"We sent Shane on vacation. He went to Colombia. If I go to Colombia I'm not sure I'm getting out of the car. But he sent back pictures."
Richardson noticed a large person in one of the pictures, posing with Mosley.
"Did they give you a bodyguard down there?" he asked.
"Naw, I've been down here sparring," Mosley replied.
"You're on vacation, man."
"Naw, but they have a gym down here, and they don't have any ropes, and they have a cement ring mat."
Then Mosley came back and packed up 10 boxes of gloves and equipment and shipped it to the Colombian gym.
"But that's just Shane Mosley," Richardson said, shrugging. "He's a Viking. He wants to leave his enemies on the battlefield."
Richardson had the same reaction when Mosley wanted to fight middleweight Winky Wright: "Why don't you go ahead and fight the Klitschkos?" And Wright beat Mosley twice.
Still, Richardson believes Mosley is unbeatable at 147 pounds.
"As a welterweight, Mayweather hasn't fought a welterweight who is a world champion," Mosley said.
Richardson also believes Mosley's refusal to lose his pre-fight cool will also translate into a stoic performance in the ring.
"You see the press conference yesterday," Richardson said. "Floyd was acting like Shane. So we've won that battle. Besides, all great fighters use deception. Bernard Hopkins was all gangster until he got in the ring and then he was a technical fighter. Shane gives you the smile like he wants to sell you car insurance. But he's the first guy who has the IQ and the athleticism to do this."
Although Golden Boy has promoted this fight on the basis of polarization, a consensus has formed around Mayweather. "Shane has problems with speed and movement and he likes guys to come to him, so it's going to be difficult," said Freddie Roach's, Pacquiao's trainer and thus no advocate of Mayweather's.
Others say Mosley will be the first to bash Mayweather's ribs and slow down his legs.
But it would be easier to visualize if we only had some snapshot, some precedent, some instance of Mayweather staggering. Even Richardson admits he's never seen Mayweather get rocked by a significant combination.
A 40-0 record is rarer than you think. Since 1900, only three fighters were 40-0 when their careers ended: Rocky Marciano, Joe Calzaghe and flyweight Ricardo Lopez.
It also brings a mythic veneer. Mosley has prepared to win. Mayweather knows nothing else.
"But when I saw Muhammad Ali lose, I realized anybody could," Richardson said. "Besides, Shane was 38-0 at one point himelf. The Mayweathers talk about Ray Robinson being the best. Well, he lost, too (to Jake LaMotta).
"And Robinson was 40-0."
So was Felix Trinidad when he lost to Hopkins, whom Richardson trained.
One thing about geniuses, and idiots. They don't recognize probability.
Contact the writer: mwhicker@ocregister.com
Source: ocregister.com
Mayweather's relentless work continues as weigh-in nears -- Los Angeles Times
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
We're now less than two hours away from the weigh-in for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s attempt to improve to 41-0 by defeating the man considered his toughest foe yet, Pomona's Shane Mosley.
Thursday night, during a dinner thrown by Golden Boy Promotions, Mayweather's lead advisor Leonard Ellerbe had to abruptly leave his seat before the main course arrived.
Mayweather was on the phone, and he wanted to train.
That's been a recurring theme in advance of this pay-per-view bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Mayweather got off the fight's media tour and immediately started running. He's barred reporters from his gym as he got into fighting shape, and he routinely says things in the gym like, "Gotta keep working," "Come on, fight!"
On his media day, Mayweather delivered 1,000 punches to a heavy bag in 2 minutes, 20 seconds.
This is why the sentiment is to say Mayweather wins a unanimous decision Saturday, assessing Mosley can't keep up and won't be able to land hurtful blows. Let's be honest. We'll probably know in the early rounds whether Mosley, at 38, can do what so many others have failed to accomplish and apply pressure and hurt Mayweather.
If he can't early, then why should we expect Mosley will get to Mayweather late, when fatigue becomes the issue.
"They'll say he's too old," Mayweather said recently, in speculating how the masses will respond should he defeat the well-regarded Mosley who dominated Antonio Margarito in his January 2009 bout at Staples Center. "I fight with finesse, it's called boxing. It's what I do, and nobody does it better. I know I can beat [Mosley]; slow [Miguel] Cotto beat him."
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
We're now less than two hours away from the weigh-in for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s attempt to improve to 41-0 by defeating the man considered his toughest foe yet, Pomona's Shane Mosley.
Thursday night, during a dinner thrown by Golden Boy Promotions, Mayweather's lead advisor Leonard Ellerbe had to abruptly leave his seat before the main course arrived.
Mayweather was on the phone, and he wanted to train.
That's been a recurring theme in advance of this pay-per-view bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Mayweather got off the fight's media tour and immediately started running. He's barred reporters from his gym as he got into fighting shape, and he routinely says things in the gym like, "Gotta keep working," "Come on, fight!"
On his media day, Mayweather delivered 1,000 punches to a heavy bag in 2 minutes, 20 seconds.
This is why the sentiment is to say Mayweather wins a unanimous decision Saturday, assessing Mosley can't keep up and won't be able to land hurtful blows. Let's be honest. We'll probably know in the early rounds whether Mosley, at 38, can do what so many others have failed to accomplish and apply pressure and hurt Mayweather.
If he can't early, then why should we expect Mosley will get to Mayweather late, when fatigue becomes the issue.
"They'll say he's too old," Mayweather said recently, in speculating how the masses will respond should he defeat the well-regarded Mosley who dominated Antonio Margarito in his January 2009 bout at Staples Center. "I fight with finesse, it's called boxing. It's what I do, and nobody does it better. I know I can beat [Mosley]; slow [Miguel] Cotto beat him."
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr winning another fistful of dollars as he prepares for showdown with Shane Mosley in Las Vegas -- Daily Mail
By Jeff Powell, DailyMail.co.uk
The main attraction of the weekend in this city where the only unacceptable sin is to run out of hard cash is a man who goes by the name of Money.
How appropriate. How unambiguous. The name of the game here is Money and that is what Floyd Mayweather Jr calls himself.
How simple. How blunt.
No confusion there. Money - millions of dollars of it - is what he and Sugar Shane Mosley are fighting for in one of the world’s biggest casinos.
Not for a world championship belt, because Mayweather will not part with any of his money to pay the WBA their fee for sanctioning the fight.
Not principally for the glory, because Mosley is past his prime at 38 and the vexed issue of who is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet will not be resolved unless Mayweather gets into the ring with Manny Pacquiao.
The Money Man versus the Pacman is the fight the whole world really wants to see, but for the moment we will have to make do with this one on offer in the MGM Grand Garden.
No real hardship there. Although Mayweather-Mosley would have been a humdinger four or five years ago, there is still enough mileage in the Sugar Man for them to put on a show which will outsell any of the starry cabaret acts in town tonight, our own songstress Petula Clark included.
Not that packing the 16,000-seat arena is the main point of the exercise. The real target audience are the pay-per-view television subscribers.
That is where the numbers stack up for the enlightment of a wider public which finds it hard to understand how today’s top boxers can be paid seven-or eight-figure purses.
Mosley is guaranteed $7million in return for driving his ageing body into his first fight since he knocked out Antonio Margarito more than a year ago. Mayweather, five years the younger, is calculating on banking $40m.
Yes, say it slowly, forty million dollars. Now that is serious money.
For him to achieve that, the HBO network will need to sell this event to 1.5 million households in America at $54.95 (£36) each.
To the irritation of his critics, that is eminently achievable.
Love him for the slick skills which make him one of the two best prizefighters in the world, or hate him for bragging about it, Mayweather keeps confounding all those who doubt his capacity for pulling in the public.
The proof is in the ratings for his last six fights. Between them they have generated 5.5 million buys worth a total of $292m.
This one could be the most lucrative yet. Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions - in which Mosley is also a shareholder - says: ‘My goal is four million homes.’
Extravagant though that ambition may be, there is evidence of sufficient public interest to break records for a non-heavyweight fight.
Not least because a televised clash between two Americans who are household names is now a rarity.
There have been more than 100 million hits on the websites for this fight, with no fewer than 750,000 fans responding to the invitation to make a prediction.
Those polls put Mayweather marginally in the lead with 51 per cent of the vote, with much of his backing coming from the big 2010cities. Mosley has been boosted to 49 per cent by the Hispanic and west coast communities.
This polarisation is driven in part by what this electorate would like to see happen. Mayweather attracts the boxing connoisseurs with his high technical ability. Ricky Hatton, who was knocked out by Mr Money, and Joe Calzaghe are among notable members of that fraternity expected at ringside.
Others resent his arrogance, which reached hitherto uncharted heights this week when he rated himself greater than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.
Even when the entertainment value of his fights is questioned because of his concentration on an almost impregnable defence, he said: ‘It’s not my fault that the fights are one-sided. I just happen to be one of the few athletes in the world - like Michael Jordan - who has a God-given talent superior to all the others. It was me who made the world pay attention to the smaller fighters and it’s me who is keeping boxing going.’
Pacquaio might have something to say about that, once he finishes campaigning for a seat in the Philippines Congress. His day in this election season is on May 10.
Meanwhile, if Mayweather wants to improve his pound-for-pound claims he needs to make a more emphatic statement than usual.
Just doing enough to extend his 40-fight unbeaten record, which is his wont, will not convert the doubters who accuse him of hand-picking older or smaller opponents since he moved up to welterweight.
Of his practice of counter punching from behind that immaculate defence, he says: ‘It’s not good to take punches. If I’d had a bunch of wars I probably wouldn’t be here this week.’
So it is likely that Mosley will have to make the running. Despite the odds - he is the 3-1 underdog, Mayweather the 1-4 favourite - and the controversy about his past use of steroids he does look to be in remarkably good condition.
Mosley insists that the fabled hand speed which won him five titles in three weight divisions = only a couple fewer than Mayweather on both counts - is back.
Mayweather is likely to box with typical caution and patience. That should see the Money Man through the 12 rounds to victory on points and safely on his way to the bank to make another huge deposit.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
The main attraction of the weekend in this city where the only unacceptable sin is to run out of hard cash is a man who goes by the name of Money.
How appropriate. How unambiguous. The name of the game here is Money and that is what Floyd Mayweather Jr calls himself.
How simple. How blunt.
No confusion there. Money - millions of dollars of it - is what he and Sugar Shane Mosley are fighting for in one of the world’s biggest casinos.
Not for a world championship belt, because Mayweather will not part with any of his money to pay the WBA their fee for sanctioning the fight.
Not principally for the glory, because Mosley is past his prime at 38 and the vexed issue of who is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet will not be resolved unless Mayweather gets into the ring with Manny Pacquiao.
The Money Man versus the Pacman is the fight the whole world really wants to see, but for the moment we will have to make do with this one on offer in the MGM Grand Garden.
No real hardship there. Although Mayweather-Mosley would have been a humdinger four or five years ago, there is still enough mileage in the Sugar Man for them to put on a show which will outsell any of the starry cabaret acts in town tonight, our own songstress Petula Clark included.
Not that packing the 16,000-seat arena is the main point of the exercise. The real target audience are the pay-per-view television subscribers.
That is where the numbers stack up for the enlightment of a wider public which finds it hard to understand how today’s top boxers can be paid seven-or eight-figure purses.
Mosley is guaranteed $7million in return for driving his ageing body into his first fight since he knocked out Antonio Margarito more than a year ago. Mayweather, five years the younger, is calculating on banking $40m.
Yes, say it slowly, forty million dollars. Now that is serious money.
For him to achieve that, the HBO network will need to sell this event to 1.5 million households in America at $54.95 (£36) each.
To the irritation of his critics, that is eminently achievable.
Love him for the slick skills which make him one of the two best prizefighters in the world, or hate him for bragging about it, Mayweather keeps confounding all those who doubt his capacity for pulling in the public.
The proof is in the ratings for his last six fights. Between them they have generated 5.5 million buys worth a total of $292m.
This one could be the most lucrative yet. Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions - in which Mosley is also a shareholder - says: ‘My goal is four million homes.’
Extravagant though that ambition may be, there is evidence of sufficient public interest to break records for a non-heavyweight fight.
Not least because a televised clash between two Americans who are household names is now a rarity.
There have been more than 100 million hits on the websites for this fight, with no fewer than 750,000 fans responding to the invitation to make a prediction.
Those polls put Mayweather marginally in the lead with 51 per cent of the vote, with much of his backing coming from the big 2010cities. Mosley has been boosted to 49 per cent by the Hispanic and west coast communities.
This polarisation is driven in part by what this electorate would like to see happen. Mayweather attracts the boxing connoisseurs with his high technical ability. Ricky Hatton, who was knocked out by Mr Money, and Joe Calzaghe are among notable members of that fraternity expected at ringside.
Others resent his arrogance, which reached hitherto uncharted heights this week when he rated himself greater than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.
Even when the entertainment value of his fights is questioned because of his concentration on an almost impregnable defence, he said: ‘It’s not my fault that the fights are one-sided. I just happen to be one of the few athletes in the world - like Michael Jordan - who has a God-given talent superior to all the others. It was me who made the world pay attention to the smaller fighters and it’s me who is keeping boxing going.’
Pacquaio might have something to say about that, once he finishes campaigning for a seat in the Philippines Congress. His day in this election season is on May 10.
Meanwhile, if Mayweather wants to improve his pound-for-pound claims he needs to make a more emphatic statement than usual.
Just doing enough to extend his 40-fight unbeaten record, which is his wont, will not convert the doubters who accuse him of hand-picking older or smaller opponents since he moved up to welterweight.
Of his practice of counter punching from behind that immaculate defence, he says: ‘It’s not good to take punches. If I’d had a bunch of wars I probably wouldn’t be here this week.’
So it is likely that Mosley will have to make the running. Despite the odds - he is the 3-1 underdog, Mayweather the 1-4 favourite - and the controversy about his past use of steroids he does look to be in remarkably good condition.
Mosley insists that the fabled hand speed which won him five titles in three weight divisions = only a couple fewer than Mayweather on both counts - is back.
Mayweather is likely to box with typical caution and patience. That should see the Money Man through the 12 rounds to victory on points and safely on his way to the bank to make another huge deposit.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Mayweather and Mosley showdown looms after MGM weigh-in today -- Las Vegas Sun
By Robin Leach, Las Vegas Sun
Everybody from Hollywood to New York celebrities is arriving on the Strip for tomorrow night’s sensational showdown between Floyd “Moneyman” Mayweather Jr. and archrival “Sugar” Shane Mosley. The 12-round battle for the welterweight championship is set for MGM Grand Garden Arena, and you’ll see a star-studded lineup at ringside.
Cast members of HBO’s Entourage led by Jeremy Piven will be headquartered at the Palms, and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is set to throw his after-fight party at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve the Nightclub above her restaurant Beso in Crystals at MGM’s CityCenter. Sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton will be attending the fight on a third weekend of Las Vegas fun in just five weeks.
Incredibly, Floyd has already planned his triumphant official celebration party at Studio 54 in MGM Grand with a midnight red-carpet arrival. The six-time champion with an unblemished record of 40-0 plans to celebrate his renowned career and a bright future with yet another victory, ensuring his recognition by ESPN as “one of the top boxers of all time.”
Floyd boasted on the HBO show 24/7 recently that he is a better fighter than both Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali: “Sugar Ray is one hell of a fighter. Ali is one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best.”
Shane comes into the fight with 39 knockouts to his credit on his 46-5 score sheet. Floyd last fought Juan Marquez after a nearly two-year hiatus from the sport. Check out the latest reports from our boxing expert friends at the Las Vegas Sun who covered the press conferences of the two fighters. VDLX reader Richard Corey posted his videos of the press conferences on YouTube.
Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on duty for the boxers’ arrivals at MGM Grand and will be back this afternoon for the official weigh-in photos. We’ll update this report with the weigh-in photos, so be sure to check back.
Tom also will be ringside tomorrow night, and we’ll post his always-extraordinary fight shots Sunday when we report P. Diddy’s platinum party.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Everybody from Hollywood to New York celebrities is arriving on the Strip for tomorrow night’s sensational showdown between Floyd “Moneyman” Mayweather Jr. and archrival “Sugar” Shane Mosley. The 12-round battle for the welterweight championship is set for MGM Grand Garden Arena, and you’ll see a star-studded lineup at ringside.
Cast members of HBO’s Entourage led by Jeremy Piven will be headquartered at the Palms, and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is set to throw his after-fight party at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve the Nightclub above her restaurant Beso in Crystals at MGM’s CityCenter. Sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton will be attending the fight on a third weekend of Las Vegas fun in just five weeks.
Incredibly, Floyd has already planned his triumphant official celebration party at Studio 54 in MGM Grand with a midnight red-carpet arrival. The six-time champion with an unblemished record of 40-0 plans to celebrate his renowned career and a bright future with yet another victory, ensuring his recognition by ESPN as “one of the top boxers of all time.”
Floyd boasted on the HBO show 24/7 recently that he is a better fighter than both Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali: “Sugar Ray is one hell of a fighter. Ali is one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best.”
Shane comes into the fight with 39 knockouts to his credit on his 46-5 score sheet. Floyd last fought Juan Marquez after a nearly two-year hiatus from the sport. Check out the latest reports from our boxing expert friends at the Las Vegas Sun who covered the press conferences of the two fighters. VDLX reader Richard Corey posted his videos of the press conferences on YouTube.
Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on duty for the boxers’ arrivals at MGM Grand and will be back this afternoon for the official weigh-in photos. We’ll update this report with the weigh-in photos, so be sure to check back.
Tom also will be ringside tomorrow night, and we’ll post his always-extraordinary fight shots Sunday when we report P. Diddy’s platinum party.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Floyd Mayweather v Shane Mosley: Las Vegas ready for money-spinner -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
The contest is expected to gross $120 million.
There is no belt on offer for the winner of this welterweight fight, but the eventual prize could be a showdown with Filipino Manny Pacquiao to decide who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
The Mayweather v Mosley clash has ignited widespread interest across the United States. Both men are shoo-ins for boxing’s Hall of Fame, the two most recognisable American fighters on the planet, with 12 world titles between them.
Fifty of their contests have been shown on Home Box Office, the television home of major fight nights in the US. Sky Sports are showing the contest live in the UK.
Mayweather, a boxing genius, remains a cash cow for the television companies. In his last six fights, Mayweather has generated 5.5 million pay-per-view buys, or $292 million (£191 million) of revenue.
He has averaged $48.6 million in pay-per-view revenue for those half-dozen fights. It puts him at the top of the all-time revenue list, according to Mark Taffett, head of HBO’s pay-per-view sports programming.
Mayweather’s TV pulling power is reflected in his purse. His basic fee is $22.5 million, but if pay-per-view buys add up to 1.5 million, he will earn $40 million.
If interest in the fight accelerates in the last 24 hours, as it often does, the 33 year-old could earn just under $60 million.
Mayweather talks like he fights. Slick. “Be smart, be sharp and fight hard. I just happen to be an athlete that’s God-gifted.
“I’m the biggest thing. I take less punishment, I land the highest percentage and I work the hardest. As far as drawing power and superstardom, me and Shane are not on the same level.”
In hard financial terms, he is right, but Mosley could still win this fight.
A points victory over the championship distance for Mayweather is on the cards, though Mosley looks primed for the fight of his life.
The issue is whether, at 38, it has come too late for him against Mayweather, who is adept at the art of defending.
Meanwhile, ITV confirmed on Friday that they will broadcast live Amir Khan’s World Boxing Association light-welterweight title defence – which will also be his US debut – against Paulie Malignaggi, at Madison Square Garden in the early hours of May 16.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
The contest is expected to gross $120 million.
There is no belt on offer for the winner of this welterweight fight, but the eventual prize could be a showdown with Filipino Manny Pacquiao to decide who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
The Mayweather v Mosley clash has ignited widespread interest across the United States. Both men are shoo-ins for boxing’s Hall of Fame, the two most recognisable American fighters on the planet, with 12 world titles between them.
Fifty of their contests have been shown on Home Box Office, the television home of major fight nights in the US. Sky Sports are showing the contest live in the UK.
Mayweather, a boxing genius, remains a cash cow for the television companies. In his last six fights, Mayweather has generated 5.5 million pay-per-view buys, or $292 million (£191 million) of revenue.
He has averaged $48.6 million in pay-per-view revenue for those half-dozen fights. It puts him at the top of the all-time revenue list, according to Mark Taffett, head of HBO’s pay-per-view sports programming.
Mayweather’s TV pulling power is reflected in his purse. His basic fee is $22.5 million, but if pay-per-view buys add up to 1.5 million, he will earn $40 million.
If interest in the fight accelerates in the last 24 hours, as it often does, the 33 year-old could earn just under $60 million.
Mayweather talks like he fights. Slick. “Be smart, be sharp and fight hard. I just happen to be an athlete that’s God-gifted.
“I’m the biggest thing. I take less punishment, I land the highest percentage and I work the hardest. As far as drawing power and superstardom, me and Shane are not on the same level.”
In hard financial terms, he is right, but Mosley could still win this fight.
A points victory over the championship distance for Mayweather is on the cards, though Mosley looks primed for the fight of his life.
The issue is whether, at 38, it has come too late for him against Mayweather, who is adept at the art of defending.
Meanwhile, ITV confirmed on Friday that they will broadcast live Amir Khan’s World Boxing Association light-welterweight title defence – which will also be his US debut – against Paulie Malignaggi, at Madison Square Garden in the early hours of May 16.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
At age 38, Mosley a rightful underdog -- FOXNEws
FoxSports
As Shane Mosley has now declared himself "a legendary fighter," I'm obliged to inquire as to the genesis of his fabled career. What might that be? What night of nights should he be remembered for?
"My signature win," he says without deliberation, "was my first against Oscar De La Hoya in 2000."
A night that approaches its tenth anniversary. So, while the gossips report a slur in his speech (couldn't say for sure on the phone Thursday, but Sir Laurence Olivier would sound punchy after fielding so many sportswriters' questions), Mosley is about to celebrate a full decade of legend-hood. That's a long time in any endeavor, but several eternities in boxing.
Think back to June 17, 2000, the date that apparently qualifies Mosley for immortality. The Republic was in especially dire circumstances, with a philandering president and no "American Idol" to distract the masses. Neither Kobe nor Shaq had won the first of their eight rings. No one had heard of LeBron James. Nine-eleven was a model of Porsche.
But all these years later, Mosley is coming off his most notable victory since that first De La Hoya fight. A ninth-round TKO of a terrible cheater named Antonio Margarito made him seem younger than his years. Still, that was 16 months ago. Now Mosley approaches his 39th birthday, an age that spells doom for every champion not named Bernard Hopkins. Hence, he'll go into the ring almost a 3-1 underdog Saturday night against Floyd Mayweather.
"The oddsmakers are making too much of the age," he says.
It's worth noting that Mosley has cheated, too. For at least one stretch leading to his 2003 rematch with De La Hoya, he was a client of BALCO, the famous designer-steroid emporium. Nevertheless, I find reasons to admire him. In contrast to Mayweather's vulgar alter-ego, the "Money" character, Mosley has managed to maintain a gentlemanly persona in a savage sport. What's more, speaking of grace under pressure, he's survived the indignities of divorce. Then there's the matter of style. Unlike the famously risk-averse Mayweather, Mosley's is more pleasing to a crowd. He'll engage, recklessly if needed, and has the bashed-up nose to prove it.
Where Mayweather considers himself the sweetest of scientists, Mosley sees himself as a warrior. Check the Maori-inspired motif that now adorns his left shoulder and arm. Tattoos are not a cause for confidence in men pushing 40, much less a fighter. I think of Mike Tyson: each of his epic tats -- Arthur Ashe, Mao, Che Guavara and ex-wife Monica Turner -- suggested a new level of weakness. Finally, by the time he had a tribal design needled around his left eye, Tyson could be seen for what he was, or had become -- a circus attraction more than a fighter.
"It's what I wanted, not what everybody else wants," says Mosley, explaining his first foray into body art. "It symbolized me being a warrior."
In keeping with this theme, Mosley argues that he's been tested by bigger, tougher guys than Mayweather would've ever risked fighting. "I don't think he was challenged the way he was supposed to be," says Mosley.
Who really challenged him? I ask.
Jose Luis Castillo, in their first fight, he says, citing the unanimous decision Mayweather received to capture the WBC lightweight title. "Castillo really beat him," says Mosley.
Fair enough. Judging from the chorus of boos that followed Michael Buffer's announcement, the fans at the MGM certainly agreed. It was probably the worst night in Mayweather's pro career. But it was nothing more than a disputed decision. And it was more than eight years ago.
In fact, the decade that began with Mosley-De La Hoya I has been much kinder to Pretty Boy than to Sugar. Consider Mosley's record after that supposedly transcendent win: 11-5, and a no-decision, stopped on a cut.
Among those wins were a lot of guys you probably never heard of again, like Shannan Taylor, Adrian Stone and Jose Luis Cruz. Then there were a couple of TKOs over Fernando Vargas in 2006, when The Ferocious One was already shot. The second win over De La Hoya -- closer than the first -- was also suspect, being chemically-enhanced. And the true merit of Mosley's penultimate victory -- the TKO over Margarito -- is similarly unclear. That evening's outstanding moment belonged not to Mosley, but to his trainer, Nazeem Richardson, who caught Margarito's cornerman wrapping his hands with a plaster-like substance. Maragarito wasn't so tough with regular wraps.
Take those away, and what do you have? A pair of de-mystifying, demoralizing losses to Vernon Forrest, a couple more losses to Winky Wright, and a loss to Miguel Cotto.
So what do you make of that? Three-to-one, Mayweather. Only a legend could beat those odds.
Source: foxnews.com
As Shane Mosley has now declared himself "a legendary fighter," I'm obliged to inquire as to the genesis of his fabled career. What might that be? What night of nights should he be remembered for?
"My signature win," he says without deliberation, "was my first against Oscar De La Hoya in 2000."
A night that approaches its tenth anniversary. So, while the gossips report a slur in his speech (couldn't say for sure on the phone Thursday, but Sir Laurence Olivier would sound punchy after fielding so many sportswriters' questions), Mosley is about to celebrate a full decade of legend-hood. That's a long time in any endeavor, but several eternities in boxing.
Think back to June 17, 2000, the date that apparently qualifies Mosley for immortality. The Republic was in especially dire circumstances, with a philandering president and no "American Idol" to distract the masses. Neither Kobe nor Shaq had won the first of their eight rings. No one had heard of LeBron James. Nine-eleven was a model of Porsche.
But all these years later, Mosley is coming off his most notable victory since that first De La Hoya fight. A ninth-round TKO of a terrible cheater named Antonio Margarito made him seem younger than his years. Still, that was 16 months ago. Now Mosley approaches his 39th birthday, an age that spells doom for every champion not named Bernard Hopkins. Hence, he'll go into the ring almost a 3-1 underdog Saturday night against Floyd Mayweather.
"The oddsmakers are making too much of the age," he says.
It's worth noting that Mosley has cheated, too. For at least one stretch leading to his 2003 rematch with De La Hoya, he was a client of BALCO, the famous designer-steroid emporium. Nevertheless, I find reasons to admire him. In contrast to Mayweather's vulgar alter-ego, the "Money" character, Mosley has managed to maintain a gentlemanly persona in a savage sport. What's more, speaking of grace under pressure, he's survived the indignities of divorce. Then there's the matter of style. Unlike the famously risk-averse Mayweather, Mosley's is more pleasing to a crowd. He'll engage, recklessly if needed, and has the bashed-up nose to prove it.
Where Mayweather considers himself the sweetest of scientists, Mosley sees himself as a warrior. Check the Maori-inspired motif that now adorns his left shoulder and arm. Tattoos are not a cause for confidence in men pushing 40, much less a fighter. I think of Mike Tyson: each of his epic tats -- Arthur Ashe, Mao, Che Guavara and ex-wife Monica Turner -- suggested a new level of weakness. Finally, by the time he had a tribal design needled around his left eye, Tyson could be seen for what he was, or had become -- a circus attraction more than a fighter.
"It's what I wanted, not what everybody else wants," says Mosley, explaining his first foray into body art. "It symbolized me being a warrior."
In keeping with this theme, Mosley argues that he's been tested by bigger, tougher guys than Mayweather would've ever risked fighting. "I don't think he was challenged the way he was supposed to be," says Mosley.
Who really challenged him? I ask.
Jose Luis Castillo, in their first fight, he says, citing the unanimous decision Mayweather received to capture the WBC lightweight title. "Castillo really beat him," says Mosley.
Fair enough. Judging from the chorus of boos that followed Michael Buffer's announcement, the fans at the MGM certainly agreed. It was probably the worst night in Mayweather's pro career. But it was nothing more than a disputed decision. And it was more than eight years ago.
In fact, the decade that began with Mosley-De La Hoya I has been much kinder to Pretty Boy than to Sugar. Consider Mosley's record after that supposedly transcendent win: 11-5, and a no-decision, stopped on a cut.
Among those wins were a lot of guys you probably never heard of again, like Shannan Taylor, Adrian Stone and Jose Luis Cruz. Then there were a couple of TKOs over Fernando Vargas in 2006, when The Ferocious One was already shot. The second win over De La Hoya -- closer than the first -- was also suspect, being chemically-enhanced. And the true merit of Mosley's penultimate victory -- the TKO over Margarito -- is similarly unclear. That evening's outstanding moment belonged not to Mosley, but to his trainer, Nazeem Richardson, who caught Margarito's cornerman wrapping his hands with a plaster-like substance. Maragarito wasn't so tough with regular wraps.
Take those away, and what do you have? A pair of de-mystifying, demoralizing losses to Vernon Forrest, a couple more losses to Winky Wright, and a loss to Miguel Cotto.
So what do you make of that? Three-to-one, Mayweather. Only a legend could beat those odds.
Source: foxnews.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Shane Mosley fight all about the money -- Washington Post
By Gene Wang, Washington Post
Floyd Mayweather Jr
. is fond of saying he doesn't fight for legacy anymore, instead preferring prize money
. If he beats Shane Mosley on Saturday night in their non-title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the undefeated six-time champion stands to collect the most lucrative payday of his life.
Considered perhaps the most proficient pound-for-pound fighter of all-time, Mayweather is better than a 4-1 favorite to beat Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion whose career is resurgent after he dismantled Antonio Margarito in his most recent bout.
A victory, according to some industry estimates, would yield Mayweather between $15 million to $20 million in prize money and perhaps more than twice that if a deal can be reached to fight Pacquiao. Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) is no stranger to wildly profitable fights. His 2007 victory over Oscar De La Hoya set a record with 2.7 million pay-per-view buys and reportedly earned Mayweather $25 million.
"There's no [formula] on how to beat Floyd Mayweather," said Mayweather, 33, who also has beaten Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Zab Judah, among other highly regarded fighters. "There's no [formula] on how to beat me yet, so the thing is this, everyone is trying to solve the problem. It's like a difficult math problem that no one can solve. No one can solve it."
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) has been training hard to become the first, although he'll fight under the specter of having admitted to unknowingly using performance-enhancing drugs before his 2003 bout with De La Hoya. Mayweather has made it a point to mention that during virtually every interview he has given leading up to the fight.
Floyd Mayweather Jr
. is fond of saying he doesn't fight for legacy anymore, instead preferring prize money. If he beats Shane Mosley on Saturday night in their non-title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the undefeated six-time champion stands to collect the most lucrative payday of his life. The windfall would not necessarily be the direct result of a win over his 38-year-old opponent, but because a victory would set up Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, a fight which would be the most anticipated non-heavyweight match in decades. Record-setting money almost certainly would follow, and fight fans finally would get the main event they have been clamoring for since discussions broke down between the camps in January.
"Well, the thing is this, like I said before, of course I want to please the fans, and I want to please everybody that's buying pay-per-view," Mayweather said, "but self-preservation is the law of the land. I come first. I must fight for Floyd Mayweather first."
Considered perhaps the most proficient pound-for-pound fighter of all-time, Mayweather is better than a 4-1 favorite to beat Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion whose career is resurgent after he dismantled Antonio Margarito in his most recent bout.
A victory, according to some industry estimates, would yield Mayweather between $15 million to $20 million in prize money and perhaps more than twice that if a deal can be reached to fight Pacquiao. Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) is no stranger to wildly profitable fights. His 2007 victory over Oscar De La Hoya set a record with 2.7 million pay-per-view buys and reportedly earned Mayweather $25 million.
"There's no [formula] on how to beat Floyd Mayweather," said Mayweather, 33, who also has beaten Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Zab Judah, among other highly regarded fighters. "There's no [formula] on how to beat me yet, so the thing is this, everyone is trying to solve the problem. It's like a difficult math problem that no one can solve. No one can solve it."
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) has been training hard to become the first, although he'll fight under the specter of having admitted to unknowingly using performance-enhancing drugs before his 2003 bout with De La Hoya. Mayweather has made it a point to mention that during virtually every interview he has given leading up to the fight. Mosley, meantime, has declined to answer questions in detail about his link to Victor Conte and Balco, from whom he allegedly received designer steroids. He instead has been spending much of his time during prefight news conferences sparring verbally with Mayweather, who has made such bravado an art form.
"I mean everybody grows up wanting to fight for a belt and wants to be world champion, and for them to just dismiss it like, 'Oh, I'm bigger than the belt,' I don't know," Mosley said of Mayweather preferring fortune over titles. "That just doesn't seem like [Mayweather is] in the sport for the sport. He's in it just for the money, which is good if he wants to do that. If he wants to fight for money, to each his own, but I love the glory, the legendary status of being a champion and winning belts and being the best guy out there. If he did that, the money is going to come regardless."
Source: washingtonpost.com
Amir Khan dismisses drug rumours surrounding Manny Pacquiao -- The Guardian
By Kevin Mitchell, guardian.co.uk
Amir Khan has again defended his stablemate Manny Pacquiao from accusations of drug-taking. If the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world was using them, he says, then suspicion must fall on him as well.
Khan is still in Vancouver awaiting a US visa before he can fly to Los Angeles to prepare for the second defence of his WBA 10-stone title against the New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden on 15 May.
Before he left, he told the trade paper Boxing News that he is so familiar with Pacquiao's training regime it would be impossible for the Filipino to be taking performance-enhancing drugs without him knowing about it.
"I've seen how Manny trains and I've trained with him myself," Khan said. "I keep up with him in the mornings when we run, on the pad sessions and in the sparring sessions, so does that mean I'm on drugs as well?"
The Bolton fighter said their trainer, Freddie Roach, is strongly against the use of performance-enhancers. "I think it's just that Freddie's got two fighters in the camp who are very fit and very athletic. We get pushed and keep up with our training and we train very hard. That's why when we get in the ring it seems easy.
"There's other fighters who come to the gym and can't keep up with me, and can't keep up with Manny because they're not as athletic as us.
"I think when someone's doing well in the game, there's always negative things that people pick up on but I think it's just nonsense. And another thing, Freddie wouldn't allow it. If he found out a fighter was doing that, he'd throw them out of the gym, if he found out they were on drugs, because he's totally against it."
Source: guardian.co.uk
Amir Khan has again defended his stablemate Manny Pacquiao from accusations of drug-taking. If the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world was using them, he says, then suspicion must fall on him as well.
Khan is still in Vancouver awaiting a US visa before he can fly to Los Angeles to prepare for the second defence of his WBA 10-stone title against the New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden on 15 May.
Before he left, he told the trade paper Boxing News that he is so familiar with Pacquiao's training regime it would be impossible for the Filipino to be taking performance-enhancing drugs without him knowing about it.
"I've seen how Manny trains and I've trained with him myself," Khan said. "I keep up with him in the mornings when we run, on the pad sessions and in the sparring sessions, so does that mean I'm on drugs as well?"
The Bolton fighter said their trainer, Freddie Roach, is strongly against the use of performance-enhancers. "I think it's just that Freddie's got two fighters in the camp who are very fit and very athletic. We get pushed and keep up with our training and we train very hard. That's why when we get in the ring it seems easy.
"There's other fighters who come to the gym and can't keep up with me, and can't keep up with Manny because they're not as athletic as us.
"I think when someone's doing well in the game, there's always negative things that people pick up on but I think it's just nonsense. And another thing, Freddie wouldn't allow it. If he found out a fighter was doing that, he'd throw them out of the gym, if he found out they were on drugs, because he's totally against it."
Source: guardian.co.uk
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has his uncle by his side as he climbs into the ring vs. Shane Mosley Saturday -- New York Daily News
By Tim Smith, NY Daily News
LAS VEGAS - Roger Mayweather is prone to outrageous statements and proclamations. But when he says that his nephew is the best boxer in the sport, it is not hyperbole.
As Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s trainer - the man behind the man - no one ever says that Roger Mayweather is one of the best trainers in the game.
"I don't get offended by that," Mayweather said Thursday. "The only thing I want is the best for my nephew."
It will be Roger Mayweather's strategy that the boxer carries into the ring when he faces Shane Mosley in a 12-round welterweight showdown at MGM Grand on HBO PPV on Saturday night. It is a strategy that has helped Mayweather build a 40-0 record.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) represents the stiffest challenge of Mayweather's career, so he will need every bit of strategic help and every in-fight adjustment that his uncle can provide.
The fact that he works with a gifted athlete who is a superb boxer is a blessing and a curse for the elder Mayweather. It's like managing the 1998 Yankees - a team that won 114 games. People assume when you have that much talent all the man who manages it has to do is roll out the balls and bats.
Everyone assumes that all that Mayweather has to do is show up at the gym on time, hold the mitts for his nephew and turn the lights off before he leaves.
"I've been dominating this sport for 14 years and my uncle is one of the best trainers out there," Floyd Mayweather said. "But not once has Roger gotten Trainer of the Year."
David Mayo, a veteran reporter for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press who has covered all the Mayweather boxers, said Roger doesn't get the credit because of his carefree attitude.
"He has an inattentive and goofy nature when he's in the gym," Mayo said. "He's always playing with the kids or doing something else. It makes him look flighty and like he doesn't have that much attention to detail. But the results speak for themselves."
The nephew credits his uncle for much of his development because he took over his amateur career prior to the 1996 Olympic Games when Floyd Sr. went to prison on drug charges.
When Floyd Sr. was released, Roger turned Mayweather's training back over to him. It was right at the start of Floyd Jr.'s pro career. Floyd Sr. lasted 23 fights before he and Mayweather had a nasty breakup in 2000.
Mayweather brought back Roger. They have been together since, though Floyd Sr. has since healed the estrangement and has become more involved in his son's training for the Mosley fight.
"His father always had a hard work regimen, so he always worked hard with the way he ran and trained," Roger Mayweather said. "He got that from his dad. It really wasn't about making Floyd a fighter. I can make anybody a fighter. Making a superstar is the difference."
There is no question that Mayweather is a superstar in boxing. Roger Mayweather is credited with adding offense to Mayweather's already airtight defense. He said it was the difference between his nephew being just a good boxer or a superstar.
"Before they made him a Pay Per View fighter, HBO wanted to see if Floyd could fight," Roger Mayweather said. "Once they saw he could fight and box they were satisfied."
Mayweather said it wasn't that difficult to get his nephew to step up his offense. He said the conversion started when he fought Emanuel Burton and Diego Corrales.
"You have to throw punches," Mayweather said. "You can't be an offensive fighter if you don't want to take risks. You have to be willing to attack someone. You have to be willing to take chances. He already had the boxing skills so it wasn't that big a risk."
Naazim Richardson, Mosley's trainer, said Roger Mayweather deserves credit for helping to form one the best boxers of this generation.
"I can only go off the record of what I see with Floyd," Richardson said. "I have to assume he's outstanding. It takes talent to understand that you have the right guy and you just have to get the hell out of the way and let him do his thing. A lot of trainers can't do that. I respect Roger's game."
Source: nydailynews.com
LAS VEGAS - Roger Mayweather is prone to outrageous statements and proclamations. But when he says that his nephew is the best boxer in the sport, it is not hyperbole.
As Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s trainer - the man behind the man - no one ever says that Roger Mayweather is one of the best trainers in the game.
"I don't get offended by that," Mayweather said Thursday. "The only thing I want is the best for my nephew."
It will be Roger Mayweather's strategy that the boxer carries into the ring when he faces Shane Mosley in a 12-round welterweight showdown at MGM Grand on HBO PPV on Saturday night. It is a strategy that has helped Mayweather build a 40-0 record.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) represents the stiffest challenge of Mayweather's career, so he will need every bit of strategic help and every in-fight adjustment that his uncle can provide.
The fact that he works with a gifted athlete who is a superb boxer is a blessing and a curse for the elder Mayweather. It's like managing the 1998 Yankees - a team that won 114 games. People assume when you have that much talent all the man who manages it has to do is roll out the balls and bats.
Everyone assumes that all that Mayweather has to do is show up at the gym on time, hold the mitts for his nephew and turn the lights off before he leaves.
"I've been dominating this sport for 14 years and my uncle is one of the best trainers out there," Floyd Mayweather said. "But not once has Roger gotten Trainer of the Year."
David Mayo, a veteran reporter for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press who has covered all the Mayweather boxers, said Roger doesn't get the credit because of his carefree attitude.
"He has an inattentive and goofy nature when he's in the gym," Mayo said. "He's always playing with the kids or doing something else. It makes him look flighty and like he doesn't have that much attention to detail. But the results speak for themselves."
The nephew credits his uncle for much of his development because he took over his amateur career prior to the 1996 Olympic Games when Floyd Sr. went to prison on drug charges.
When Floyd Sr. was released, Roger turned Mayweather's training back over to him. It was right at the start of Floyd Jr.'s pro career. Floyd Sr. lasted 23 fights before he and Mayweather had a nasty breakup in 2000.
Mayweather brought back Roger. They have been together since, though Floyd Sr. has since healed the estrangement and has become more involved in his son's training for the Mosley fight.
"His father always had a hard work regimen, so he always worked hard with the way he ran and trained," Roger Mayweather said. "He got that from his dad. It really wasn't about making Floyd a fighter. I can make anybody a fighter. Making a superstar is the difference."
There is no question that Mayweather is a superstar in boxing. Roger Mayweather is credited with adding offense to Mayweather's already airtight defense. He said it was the difference between his nephew being just a good boxer or a superstar.
"Before they made him a Pay Per View fighter, HBO wanted to see if Floyd could fight," Roger Mayweather said. "Once they saw he could fight and box they were satisfied."
Mayweather said it wasn't that difficult to get his nephew to step up his offense. He said the conversion started when he fought Emanuel Burton and Diego Corrales.
"You have to throw punches," Mayweather said. "You can't be an offensive fighter if you don't want to take risks. You have to be willing to attack someone. You have to be willing to take chances. He already had the boxing skills so it wasn't that big a risk."
Naazim Richardson, Mosley's trainer, said Roger Mayweather deserves credit for helping to form one the best boxers of this generation.
"I can only go off the record of what I see with Floyd," Richardson said. "I have to assume he's outstanding. It takes talent to understand that you have the right guy and you just have to get the hell out of the way and let him do his thing. A lot of trainers can't do that. I respect Roger's game."
Source: nydailynews.com
Mayweather-Mosley JV bout doesn't pack a punch -- CBS Sports
By Mike Freeman, CBSSports.com
I've mustered every ounce in my gorgeous body to try and get excited about it. I've tried. Really, really tried. Read every blog on it with great exigency and followed every word out of the champion's mouth like a star-struck teenager and still my heart doesn't race. No matter what I try it's extremely difficult to get excited about Floyd Mayweather's fight against Shane Mosley.
The problem is that everyone knows what this fight really is. It's the junior varsity. It's the appetizer, the undercard. It's not real or substantial. As much as I love boxing (no one enjoys or defends the sport more) this fight is in many ways indefensible.
It's not just that Mayweather will likely obliterate Mosley. A Mayweather loss would be a significant upset. It's that the only fight which truly matters is Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. That's it. That is all.
Anything else is a waste. The notion we should all be sold on this fight is ridiculous.
Nothing else in boxing matters except Mayweather and Pacquiao. Boxing is trying to sell us Battlefield Earth when everyone is waiting for Avatar.
This is exactly the kind of silliness that has wounded boxing (perhaps mortally) and allowed mixed martial arts to rise from the brutal eccentricity and non-regality of its human cockfighting beginnings to now, where MMA knows what it's doing and boxing continues to not have a clue.
For boxing to have any chance at regaining the respect of the casual American sports fan, the respect it had for decades going back to the early part of last century, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is a must. Anything else is a distraction and further proof that boxing needs an intervention.
The irony is that boxing could've used a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to steal some of the forward momentum the UFC took away. Interestingly, some in the UFC are actually making the same knucklehead moves that hurt boxing. Anderson Silva's showboating disgrace is the kind of thing that, if it occurred in boxing, there would be several Congressional investigations and just recently Tito Ortiz was arrested for suspicion of alleged domestic violence against a porn star. (When UFC behemoths and porn stars can't get along then the world is coming to an end.) Self-made grime stuck to boxing and if the UFC isn't careful the same thing will happen to it.
Instead of taking advantage, boxing keeps punching itself in the face.
What truly hurts this fight is the correct perception that Mayweather is going to inflict a butt whipping on Mosley, bashing him from every angle with every kind of punch. The only way that doesn't happen is if Mayweather fails to take the fight seriously and every indication is he's taking it extremely seriously.
"I've always said before there's no remedy on how to beat Floyd Mayweather," said Mayweather, using the time-tested third person. "Everyone is trying to solve the problem and like a difficult math problem no one can solve it."
Mayweather also claimed he was a better fighter than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. Mayweather couldn't carry Ali's spit cup, particularly since Ali consistently took on the biggest and the best. As for Robinson, he would hit Mayweather once and Mayweather's kidneys would land in Florida and his liver in Cali.
Mayweather has attempted to expand interest in the bout with his usual pre-fight obnoxiousness and occasional dabble into step-n-fetch-ery, but try as he might Mayweather can't energize this fight because this isn't the right fight.
Some fight analysts, citing the attraction of the Mayweather brand, are claiming this bout could generate three million pay-per-views. I'll be one of the suckers buying because it's my job but why anyone else would shell out $50 to watch the JV fight is a mystery.
Boxing is once again abusing the trust and loyalties of a dwindling but passionate fan base and it's a shame. Just a damn shame.
For more from Mike Freeman, check him out on Twitter: @realfreemancbs
Source: cbssports.com
I've mustered every ounce in my gorgeous body to try and get excited about it. I've tried. Really, really tried. Read every blog on it with great exigency and followed every word out of the champion's mouth like a star-struck teenager and still my heart doesn't race. No matter what I try it's extremely difficult to get excited about Floyd Mayweather's fight against Shane Mosley.
The problem is that everyone knows what this fight really is. It's the junior varsity. It's the appetizer, the undercard. It's not real or substantial. As much as I love boxing (no one enjoys or defends the sport more) this fight is in many ways indefensible.
It's not just that Mayweather will likely obliterate Mosley. A Mayweather loss would be a significant upset. It's that the only fight which truly matters is Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. That's it. That is all.
Anything else is a waste. The notion we should all be sold on this fight is ridiculous.
Nothing else in boxing matters except Mayweather and Pacquiao. Boxing is trying to sell us Battlefield Earth when everyone is waiting for Avatar.
This is exactly the kind of silliness that has wounded boxing (perhaps mortally) and allowed mixed martial arts to rise from the brutal eccentricity and non-regality of its human cockfighting beginnings to now, where MMA knows what it's doing and boxing continues to not have a clue.
For boxing to have any chance at regaining the respect of the casual American sports fan, the respect it had for decades going back to the early part of last century, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is a must. Anything else is a distraction and further proof that boxing needs an intervention.
The irony is that boxing could've used a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to steal some of the forward momentum the UFC took away. Interestingly, some in the UFC are actually making the same knucklehead moves that hurt boxing. Anderson Silva's showboating disgrace is the kind of thing that, if it occurred in boxing, there would be several Congressional investigations and just recently Tito Ortiz was arrested for suspicion of alleged domestic violence against a porn star. (When UFC behemoths and porn stars can't get along then the world is coming to an end.) Self-made grime stuck to boxing and if the UFC isn't careful the same thing will happen to it.
Instead of taking advantage, boxing keeps punching itself in the face.
What truly hurts this fight is the correct perception that Mayweather is going to inflict a butt whipping on Mosley, bashing him from every angle with every kind of punch. The only way that doesn't happen is if Mayweather fails to take the fight seriously and every indication is he's taking it extremely seriously.
"I've always said before there's no remedy on how to beat Floyd Mayweather," said Mayweather, using the time-tested third person. "Everyone is trying to solve the problem and like a difficult math problem no one can solve it."
Mayweather also claimed he was a better fighter than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. Mayweather couldn't carry Ali's spit cup, particularly since Ali consistently took on the biggest and the best. As for Robinson, he would hit Mayweather once and Mayweather's kidneys would land in Florida and his liver in Cali.
Mayweather has attempted to expand interest in the bout with his usual pre-fight obnoxiousness and occasional dabble into step-n-fetch-ery, but try as he might Mayweather can't energize this fight because this isn't the right fight.
Some fight analysts, citing the attraction of the Mayweather brand, are claiming this bout could generate three million pay-per-views. I'll be one of the suckers buying because it's my job but why anyone else would shell out $50 to watch the JV fight is a mystery.
Boxing is once again abusing the trust and loyalties of a dwindling but passionate fan base and it's a shame. Just a damn shame.
For more from Mike Freeman, check him out on Twitter: @realfreemancbs
Source: cbssports.com
Mayweather-Mosley the precursor to Manny Pacquiao showdown -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
This is a massive fight for both Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night – both in the manner it is generating huge interest from the public in the US as well as in its commercial success – yet the biggest prize on the line for the two athletes themselves, is a meeting with Manny Pacquiao. All roads lead to Pacman after this.
For all hubris around Mayweather, Pacquiao stands at the next crossroads, marked ‘destiny’. If Mayweather believes his greatness is to be etched into time, he must take the road which leads to the face off with the most popular boxer on the planet, and, at present, its No 1 exponent, weight-to-lifeforce, in a ring.
For there is no escaping the Pacquiao fight waits in the wings. It would be unfair to call this a semi-final, but it is approximating that standing. Mayweather-Mosley, the pair of them prize fighters among the best anywhere in the sport from the past 15 years, is money-rich, but it is a contest of US bragging rights. Of Las Vegas bragging rights. Pacquiao versus the winner is the world watching. And the No1 pound for pound crown is then on the cloth.
A tedious, defensive points win for Mayweather could damage the sport, and heap criticism on Mayweather, but the styles don’t shape that way in this fight. Mosley is rarely in a tepid contest, has speed, guts and belief, as against Mayweather’s guile, speed and fistic ingeniousness.
Mayweather may put on a show, to demonstrate to fans that he can shine against Mosley. That becomes more likely because he knows Manny Pacquiao is waiting in the wings. It is the opportunity for Mayweather – who has a major financial deal for this fight which could earn him between $40 and $60 million US dollars – to showcase himself and increase his bargaining power before Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations begin again in earnest.
That is if he wins, of course. Should Mosley triumph (and he is a 4-1 outsider) it is a given that he will face Pacquiao. In some senses, Mosley could be more dangerous for Pacquiao than Mayweather. Pacquiao’s style suits Mosley. The American showed why against Antonio Margarito. I’m not saying that Mosley would beat Pacquiao, because the Filipino’s speed could do for him, but it is possible.
Even if Mosley loses – and it is a close contest – there is a possibility that Mosley could be approached to meet Pacquiao if Mayweather plays hardball.
Make no mistake – Mayweather’s ego is enormous and to feed it he will need to defeat Pacquiao to leave the world in no doubt that he is the No 1 pound for pound fighter of this era. Unless he does so, opinion will remain divided forever.
No one wants to call Mayweather-Pacquiao ‘The Richest Fight of All Time That Never Happened’.
Mayweather’s fight with the Filipino wrecking machine is already geared up to be one of the greatest in history. Mayweather-Mosley, a major marketing success in itself, is all well and good. But Mayweather’s cunning plan could have been etched this way deliberately. Win well, win in dramatic fashion, and the heats is on Pacquiao.
Mayweather is boxing’s superstar of this generation, while Pacquiao has something divine about him. Mayweather, undefeated, a multi-division world champion, and following in the line of accession from Sugar Ray Leonard to Pernell Whittaker, to the present day. So much at stake in this fight – but all roads lead to Pacman.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
This is a massive fight for both Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on Saturday night – both in the manner it is generating huge interest from the public in the US as well as in its commercial success – yet the biggest prize on the line for the two athletes themselves, is a meeting with Manny Pacquiao. All roads lead to Pacman after this.
For all hubris around Mayweather, Pacquiao stands at the next crossroads, marked ‘destiny’. If Mayweather believes his greatness is to be etched into time, he must take the road which leads to the face off with the most popular boxer on the planet, and, at present, its No 1 exponent, weight-to-lifeforce, in a ring.
For there is no escaping the Pacquiao fight waits in the wings. It would be unfair to call this a semi-final, but it is approximating that standing. Mayweather-Mosley, the pair of them prize fighters among the best anywhere in the sport from the past 15 years, is money-rich, but it is a contest of US bragging rights. Of Las Vegas bragging rights. Pacquiao versus the winner is the world watching. And the No1 pound for pound crown is then on the cloth.
A tedious, defensive points win for Mayweather could damage the sport, and heap criticism on Mayweather, but the styles don’t shape that way in this fight. Mosley is rarely in a tepid contest, has speed, guts and belief, as against Mayweather’s guile, speed and fistic ingeniousness.
Mayweather may put on a show, to demonstrate to fans that he can shine against Mosley. That becomes more likely because he knows Manny Pacquiao is waiting in the wings. It is the opportunity for Mayweather – who has a major financial deal for this fight which could earn him between $40 and $60 million US dollars – to showcase himself and increase his bargaining power before Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations begin again in earnest.
That is if he wins, of course. Should Mosley triumph (and he is a 4-1 outsider) it is a given that he will face Pacquiao. In some senses, Mosley could be more dangerous for Pacquiao than Mayweather. Pacquiao’s style suits Mosley. The American showed why against Antonio Margarito. I’m not saying that Mosley would beat Pacquiao, because the Filipino’s speed could do for him, but it is possible.
Even if Mosley loses – and it is a close contest – there is a possibility that Mosley could be approached to meet Pacquiao if Mayweather plays hardball.
Make no mistake – Mayweather’s ego is enormous and to feed it he will need to defeat Pacquiao to leave the world in no doubt that he is the No 1 pound for pound fighter of this era. Unless he does so, opinion will remain divided forever.
No one wants to call Mayweather-Pacquiao ‘The Richest Fight of All Time That Never Happened’.
Mayweather’s fight with the Filipino wrecking machine is already geared up to be one of the greatest in history. Mayweather-Mosley, a major marketing success in itself, is all well and good. But Mayweather’s cunning plan could have been etched this way deliberately. Win well, win in dramatic fashion, and the heats is on Pacquiao.
Mayweather is boxing’s superstar of this generation, while Pacquiao has something divine about him. Mayweather, undefeated, a multi-division world champion, and following in the line of accession from Sugar Ray Leonard to Pernell Whittaker, to the present day. So much at stake in this fight – but all roads lead to Pacman.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
Why Mayweather Can't And Won't Lose To Mosley -- The Sweet Science
By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
Tomorrow night Floyd Mayweather 40-0 (25) will take his first major exam fighting above lightweight when he meets WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley 46-5 (39). For the past month Mayweather has performed brilliantly as boxing's version of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, portraying himself as the bad guy in trying to hype the PPV sales of the fight. Mayweather-Mosley isn't as anticipated or compelling as Leonard-Duran I, Leonard-Hearns I or De La Hoya-Trinidad, but it is one of the best fights that can be made in 2010 and it's the biggest welterweight clash in over a decade. It's also the most important bout of Mayweather's career and one he cannot lose.
Although Mosley is/was a great fighter, he's crowding 39 and hasn't fought in sixteen months. Prior to that he wasn't considered to be anywhere near the top of his game. He resurrected his career perception based on his stoppage of Antonio Margarito in January of 2009 (a fight I picked him to lose). And that's not meant to deride Mosley. Shane will retire as one of the least appreciated great fighters in boxing history. However, his willingness to fight any and all of the best fighters of his era has him crossing paths with Mayweather at the wrong time. Instead of waiting for Mayweather to find the gumption to move up and face him at lightweight, Mosley moved up in weight and fought Oscar De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright two times each. To anyone who believes Mayweather-Mosley wasn't realized seven or eight years ago because of Mosley's reluctance, you're so biased you can't see straight. One fighter went out of his way to meet the best fighters at a higher weight, and the other conveniently retired, saying there was nothing left to prove while Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Paul Williams were breathing down his neck in the division he held a title three years ago.
No one reading this doubts that Mayweather is one of the most skilled fighters of his era. But his undefeated record is somewhat hollow. He's never agreed to a fight in which the deck wasn't stacked in his favor since his days fighting at lightweight - and that includes the upcoming Mosley bout.
Some fight observers question Mayweather's heart and toughness and imply that once he's dragged into a real firefight he'll wilt and fold. Don't count me among that group. I happen to believe there's a fire breathing lion inside of Floyd Mayweather and if and when he loses, it won't be due to him backing down psychologically. I believe Mayweather will fight and rumble when he's pushed and a loss under those conditions will be the result of him succumbing to a stronger and better fighter, not a tougher or more determined one.
The Mayweather-Mosley clash has been discussed from every angle possible - including fighting styles and strategies, PEDs, drug testing and the relationship each fighter has with their father. There's no need to continue that dialogue in this space.
This is what we know:
Floyd Mayweather was forced into taking this fight because he couldn't dictate the terms in solidifying a blockbuster bout with WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao. Floyd also understands that he can save more face losing to Mosley (if he does) than if he lost to a former flyweight champ. He knows he's facing Mosley at an opportune time being Shane is on the decline at almost 39 years old and coming off the longest layoff of his career, coupled with some outside of the ring personal issues hanging over his head. Another thing Mayweather understands that Mosley doesn't even care about is, Floyd presents a style that troubles Shane, especially at this stage of his career, more-so than the opposite. Mosley is at his best when he's confronted by an opponent willing to bring the fight and engage him. He is more troubled with speed guys and movers when he has to push the fight - something he'll be forced to do against Mayweather. Fighting above lightweight Mosley hasn't been very effective when he's had to implement a plan-B during the bout, something he'll most likely have to do if he's to hand Mayweather his first career defeat.
This fight means everything to Mayweather because his legacy is on the line, that's irrefutable. On the other hand, Mosley already has the utmost respect of the boxing community and most historians. A loss to Mayweather at this stage of his career won't detract from the hall-of-fame career he's compiled. On the other hand Mayweather has conducted his career in a manner that he's not only insecure of his standing among the pantheon of all-time greats, he's to the point that if he loses to Mosley or perhaps Pacquiao down the road, he'll be more remembered for the fight he lost than the forty or so he won. The bottom line is Mayweather will lose any hope of ever being considered one of the greats if he loses to Mosley eight years after Forrest beat him and three years after Cotto won a decision over him. In order for Mayweather to extend the conversation pertaining to his place among boxing's greatest fighters, he must step up and seize the fight when he confronts Mosley. If he's half the fighter he insists he is, he'll find a way to do it.
Hearing Floyd say that he's greater than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali has been amusing - being that Floyd doesn't believe that himself. The lie detector for all fighters boils down to the level of opposition they faced. Edwin Valero knocked out every opponent he fought on the way to earning two world titles - and no one considers him the greatest puncher in boxing history, no one. Mayweather may be undefeated but the names missing from his record define him as much or more than the ones on it.
However, just because Mayweather's record is in part due to brilliant match making, it doesn't mean he can't fight. So the question becomes how does one believe Floyd will perform versus an opponent who despite being rusty and on the decline, is still the most formidable and dangerous fighter he's ever confronted during his fourteen year professional career?
It says here that although Mayweather is somewhat overrated by many, he can fight. The timing couldn't be any better and the table is set perfectly for Floyd Mayweather to score the signature victory of his career over a version of Shane Mosley he's favored to beat.
In order for Mayweather to pass himself off as the great fighter he so desperately wants to be seen as he must be victorious against Mosley. There's no way around it. The feeling here is Mayweather will win and that he appears to be on the cusp of fighting the most complete fight of his career against a still dangerous opponent. Beating Mosley would represent the defining moment of Mayweather's hall-of-fame career. But does beating him in 2010 really alter his standing among histories greatest fighters?
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
Tomorrow night Floyd Mayweather 40-0 (25) will take his first major exam fighting above lightweight when he meets WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley 46-5 (39). For the past month Mayweather has performed brilliantly as boxing's version of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, portraying himself as the bad guy in trying to hype the PPV sales of the fight. Mayweather-Mosley isn't as anticipated or compelling as Leonard-Duran I, Leonard-Hearns I or De La Hoya-Trinidad, but it is one of the best fights that can be made in 2010 and it's the biggest welterweight clash in over a decade. It's also the most important bout of Mayweather's career and one he cannot lose.
Although Mosley is/was a great fighter, he's crowding 39 and hasn't fought in sixteen months. Prior to that he wasn't considered to be anywhere near the top of his game. He resurrected his career perception based on his stoppage of Antonio Margarito in January of 2009 (a fight I picked him to lose). And that's not meant to deride Mosley. Shane will retire as one of the least appreciated great fighters in boxing history. However, his willingness to fight any and all of the best fighters of his era has him crossing paths with Mayweather at the wrong time. Instead of waiting for Mayweather to find the gumption to move up and face him at lightweight, Mosley moved up in weight and fought Oscar De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright two times each. To anyone who believes Mayweather-Mosley wasn't realized seven or eight years ago because of Mosley's reluctance, you're so biased you can't see straight. One fighter went out of his way to meet the best fighters at a higher weight, and the other conveniently retired, saying there was nothing left to prove while Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Paul Williams were breathing down his neck in the division he held a title three years ago.
No one reading this doubts that Mayweather is one of the most skilled fighters of his era. But his undefeated record is somewhat hollow. He's never agreed to a fight in which the deck wasn't stacked in his favor since his days fighting at lightweight - and that includes the upcoming Mosley bout.
Some fight observers question Mayweather's heart and toughness and imply that once he's dragged into a real firefight he'll wilt and fold. Don't count me among that group. I happen to believe there's a fire breathing lion inside of Floyd Mayweather and if and when he loses, it won't be due to him backing down psychologically. I believe Mayweather will fight and rumble when he's pushed and a loss under those conditions will be the result of him succumbing to a stronger and better fighter, not a tougher or more determined one.
The Mayweather-Mosley clash has been discussed from every angle possible - including fighting styles and strategies, PEDs, drug testing and the relationship each fighter has with their father. There's no need to continue that dialogue in this space.
This is what we know:
Floyd Mayweather was forced into taking this fight because he couldn't dictate the terms in solidifying a blockbuster bout with WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao. Floyd also understands that he can save more face losing to Mosley (if he does) than if he lost to a former flyweight champ. He knows he's facing Mosley at an opportune time being Shane is on the decline at almost 39 years old and coming off the longest layoff of his career, coupled with some outside of the ring personal issues hanging over his head. Another thing Mayweather understands that Mosley doesn't even care about is, Floyd presents a style that troubles Shane, especially at this stage of his career, more-so than the opposite. Mosley is at his best when he's confronted by an opponent willing to bring the fight and engage him. He is more troubled with speed guys and movers when he has to push the fight - something he'll be forced to do against Mayweather. Fighting above lightweight Mosley hasn't been very effective when he's had to implement a plan-B during the bout, something he'll most likely have to do if he's to hand Mayweather his first career defeat.
This fight means everything to Mayweather because his legacy is on the line, that's irrefutable. On the other hand, Mosley already has the utmost respect of the boxing community and most historians. A loss to Mayweather at this stage of his career won't detract from the hall-of-fame career he's compiled. On the other hand Mayweather has conducted his career in a manner that he's not only insecure of his standing among the pantheon of all-time greats, he's to the point that if he loses to Mosley or perhaps Pacquiao down the road, he'll be more remembered for the fight he lost than the forty or so he won. The bottom line is Mayweather will lose any hope of ever being considered one of the greats if he loses to Mosley eight years after Forrest beat him and three years after Cotto won a decision over him. In order for Mayweather to extend the conversation pertaining to his place among boxing's greatest fighters, he must step up and seize the fight when he confronts Mosley. If he's half the fighter he insists he is, he'll find a way to do it.
Hearing Floyd say that he's greater than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali has been amusing - being that Floyd doesn't believe that himself. The lie detector for all fighters boils down to the level of opposition they faced. Edwin Valero knocked out every opponent he fought on the way to earning two world titles - and no one considers him the greatest puncher in boxing history, no one. Mayweather may be undefeated but the names missing from his record define him as much or more than the ones on it.
However, just because Mayweather's record is in part due to brilliant match making, it doesn't mean he can't fight. So the question becomes how does one believe Floyd will perform versus an opponent who despite being rusty and on the decline, is still the most formidable and dangerous fighter he's ever confronted during his fourteen year professional career?
It says here that although Mayweather is somewhat overrated by many, he can fight. The timing couldn't be any better and the table is set perfectly for Floyd Mayweather to score the signature victory of his career over a version of Shane Mosley he's favored to beat.
In order for Mayweather to pass himself off as the great fighter he so desperately wants to be seen as he must be victorious against Mosley. There's no way around it. The feeling here is Mayweather will win and that he appears to be on the cusp of fighting the most complete fight of his career against a still dangerous opponent. Beating Mosley would represent the defining moment of Mayweather's hall-of-fame career. But does beating him in 2010 really alter his standing among histories greatest fighters?
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
Manny Pacquiao lawyer Daniel Petrocelli putting Golden Boys on firing line -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
MICHAEL MARLEY'S PHILIPPINE DIARY, PART 2
GENERAL SANTOS CITY--In about a fornight, which is the British way of saying in two weeks time, the ducking and the doding will have ended.
Does that mean whirling dervish Floyd Mayweather Jr. will, at that time, get serious after having beaten back Sugar Shane Mosley and tell his team to make and not break the Big Fight against Manny Pacquiao?
Not necessarily, what I really have in mind here is that in about two weeks Golden Boys Oscar de la Hoya and Richie Rich Schaefer will have to sit down for a court ordered deposition in Pacman's defamation suit against them.
I've learned that Oscar and his CEO both blew off a recent scheduled deposition date with a last minute delay notice to Pacman attorney Daniel Petrocelli.
The deposition will be yet another showdown between Petrocelli, who won the big civil judgment against OJ Simpson on behalf of the family of the football superstar's murdered wife, and the heat and publicity seeking New Yorker Judd Burstein.
If de la Hoya and Schaefer duck the deposition again, then Petrocelli will go to a judge and seek money sanctions and other remedial action as so ordered.
“This shows you how serious Manny is about the steroid allegations lawsuit,” a source close to the Pinoy Idol said on Friday in this, his balmy hometown in Mindanao.
“Manny can't wait for Petrocelli to begin firing the hard questions at Oscar and Richie Rich because he remains hurt about the unfounded drug use allegations.”
The volatile Burstein has stated publicly that “Jesus Christ could not win this case” for Pacman.
By contrast, the over the top barrister also said "a dog" could handle his client, Shane Mosley's defamation action against the BALCO steroids bad guy, Victor Conte.
For his part, Conte said he's got either one or two eyewitnesses who will back up his story that Mosley knowingly accepted and used illegal steroids that Conte handed to him at BALCO headquarters in the Bay Area.
Mosley told a federal grand jury under penalty of perjury that he did use the illegal drugs before a fight, ironically enough, against Oscar but that he did not know at the time that they were verboten.
Again, ironically, in the upcoming Oscar deposition, Oscar will be asked numerous questions about his own dabbling in steroid use.
Burstein also took a personal shot at Petrocelli, who favors top of the line, well tailored suits, describing him as “well dressed: when asked to appraise the Los Angeles attorney's legal skills.
“The last time Manny was in a deposition with Petrocelli and Burstein going at it, he walked out of the room laughing,” the same source told me.
Clearly, although Burstein said de la Hoya and Schaefer merely expressed opinions protected fully by the First Amendment, the current lawsuit against the Golden Guys is no laughing matter to Manny.
Between Oscar and sidekick Schaefer and Roger, Floyd Senior and L'il Floyd, the declarations that allege that Manny has cheated to gain some or all of his great victories turned into sort of a Greek chorus.
Next up, answering questions under oath, Messrs. Oscar and Boxing Banker Richie Rich.
Your grillmaster will be Attorney Petrocelli who clearly does not buy off the rack at Ross Dress For Less. Btw, Burstein's wardobre is are not rags from a Salvation Army bin, either.
But, when it comes to this deposition, let's get off attire and back to barbecues.
I hear Petrocelli is bringing his own hot sauce.
The words spoken at that deposition will become public information sooner than you can say, "Saville Row."
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
MICHAEL MARLEY'S PHILIPPINE DIARY, PART 2
GENERAL SANTOS CITY--In about a fornight, which is the British way of saying in two weeks time, the ducking and the doding will have ended.
Does that mean whirling dervish Floyd Mayweather Jr. will, at that time, get serious after having beaten back Sugar Shane Mosley and tell his team to make and not break the Big Fight against Manny Pacquiao?
Not necessarily, what I really have in mind here is that in about two weeks Golden Boys Oscar de la Hoya and Richie Rich Schaefer will have to sit down for a court ordered deposition in Pacman's defamation suit against them.
I've learned that Oscar and his CEO both blew off a recent scheduled deposition date with a last minute delay notice to Pacman attorney Daniel Petrocelli.
The deposition will be yet another showdown between Petrocelli, who won the big civil judgment against OJ Simpson on behalf of the family of the football superstar's murdered wife, and the heat and publicity seeking New Yorker Judd Burstein.
If de la Hoya and Schaefer duck the deposition again, then Petrocelli will go to a judge and seek money sanctions and other remedial action as so ordered.
“This shows you how serious Manny is about the steroid allegations lawsuit,” a source close to the Pinoy Idol said on Friday in this, his balmy hometown in Mindanao.
“Manny can't wait for Petrocelli to begin firing the hard questions at Oscar and Richie Rich because he remains hurt about the unfounded drug use allegations.”
The volatile Burstein has stated publicly that “Jesus Christ could not win this case” for Pacman.
By contrast, the over the top barrister also said "a dog" could handle his client, Shane Mosley's defamation action against the BALCO steroids bad guy, Victor Conte.
For his part, Conte said he's got either one or two eyewitnesses who will back up his story that Mosley knowingly accepted and used illegal steroids that Conte handed to him at BALCO headquarters in the Bay Area.
Mosley told a federal grand jury under penalty of perjury that he did use the illegal drugs before a fight, ironically enough, against Oscar but that he did not know at the time that they were verboten.
Again, ironically, in the upcoming Oscar deposition, Oscar will be asked numerous questions about his own dabbling in steroid use.
Burstein also took a personal shot at Petrocelli, who favors top of the line, well tailored suits, describing him as “well dressed: when asked to appraise the Los Angeles attorney's legal skills.
“The last time Manny was in a deposition with Petrocelli and Burstein going at it, he walked out of the room laughing,” the same source told me.
Clearly, although Burstein said de la Hoya and Schaefer merely expressed opinions protected fully by the First Amendment, the current lawsuit against the Golden Guys is no laughing matter to Manny.
Between Oscar and sidekick Schaefer and Roger, Floyd Senior and L'il Floyd, the declarations that allege that Manny has cheated to gain some or all of his great victories turned into sort of a Greek chorus.
Next up, answering questions under oath, Messrs. Oscar and Boxing Banker Richie Rich.
Your grillmaster will be Attorney Petrocelli who clearly does not buy off the rack at Ross Dress For Less. Btw, Burstein's wardobre is are not rags from a Salvation Army bin, either.
But, when it comes to this deposition, let's get off attire and back to barbecues.
I hear Petrocelli is bringing his own hot sauce.
The words spoken at that deposition will become public information sooner than you can say, "Saville Row."
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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