Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley and the Nature Boy

Looks like the contracts are now signed and Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley will meet May 1st in Las Vegas.

I don't have to tell you guys what a boost this bout is for a fight game still reeling from the dissolution of Mayweather-Pacquiao. This spring had promised a single collosal superfight for all the pound for pound marbles, but instead has delivered an interesting matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Josh Clottey, and a Mayweather-Mosley collision that hardcore fight fans have been wanting to see for a decade.

I'll take that.

For now.

But fight fans who are happy with this spring's matches won't be fully satisfied until we see the fight we all wanted in the first place, which could happen later this year but still might never go down.

I'm sure a lot of folks think that this whole mess was scripted from the beginning -- that Pacquiao and Mayweather had agreed to disagree precisely because it would allow them to use springtime title fights to build buzz for a gigantic clash in December. 

 

Intriguing theory, but one that ignores the reality that Mosley is only free for a May fight because his title defence against Andre Berto (originally scheduled for tonight) was cancelled after the earthquake in Haiti robbed Berto of several relatives and precious peace of mind. If Berto doesn't pull out of the Mosley fight, we might still be talking about Mayweather facing a puffed-up junior welterweight...although if that junior welterweight was Timothy Bradley I'd spend the time and money to watch.

Beyond that, setting up what amounts to a four-man welterweight tournament is a heck of a gamble for Mayweather and Pacquiao to take when each could have made $40 million doing the simple thing and facing each other.

And it's an even bigger risk when you consider that neither Mayweather nor Pacquiao has a simple stay-busy fight this spring.

Pacquiao's taking on a guy that woulda/coulda/shoulda knocked off Miguel Cotto last summer if he had fought all 12 rounds instead of hitting cruise control after nine.

And Mosley? All he did was enter the ring last January against the consensus top welterweight in the world -- Antonio Margarito -- and teach him a painful lesson in power boxing.

 

He's also guy who, despite past steroid use, quickly agreed to the same random testing that ultimately destroyed Mayweather-Pacquiao.

Mosely has explained to us in detail why he feels he's still the world's top welterweight, and if Mayweather beats him Floyd then vaults past Pacquiao into the division's throne.

Why?

Because of Ric Flair, that's why.

A win over Mosely would make Mayweather the man who beat the man (who beat the man). 

Not that a win over Sugar Shane is guaranteed.

Folks who have skewered Mayweather in the past for avoiding anyone who might threaten his unblemished record have to admit that Mosley doesn't fit that profile. Even at 38 he's a dangerous fighter (ask Margarito) with strength, speed and a stiff jab. He won't crumble if Mayweather starts winning rounds, and if nothing else has the skills and fighting spirit to bring the best out of a fighter who routinely outclasses challengers.

I'm not sure Mosley beats Mayweather, but unlike Juan Manuel Marquez in September he has a chance.

As does Clottey against Pacquiao.

I understand the logic behind delaying a big showdown to generate a bigger payday later, but I'm pretty sure that's not going on here, only because both guys have opted for stiff challenges this spring. If you think this tournament was really part of a grand plan, then you have to accept the possibilty that all this grandstanding could culminate in a Shane Mosley-Josh Clottey clash next autumn.

A great pairing, but are you prepared to drop 50 bucks to watch it? 

Will it push boxing back to the front pages of sports sections?

And is it the fight we've been asking for?

No, no, and no.

So let's just accept the Mayweather-Mosley bout for what it is -- not part of a plot to squeeze more money out of showdown with Pacquiao, but a great matchup on its own, and a rare chance to see how good Mayweather really is.

Or isn't.

Now that both guys have signed we can finally find out.

Comments

[aloha]

I don't see Mosley a great fighter compared to Pacquiao. Cotto beat Mosley and Pacquiao beat Cotto so bad. People think that Margarito was a great fighter and a top welterweight. I don't buy that. Margarito looks so good in his previous fights before Mosley. Remember that Mosley's team caught him with plaster of paris before their fight. I think Margarito was loaded with plaster of paris in all or most of his previous fights before Mosley most especially in his fight with Cotto. That's why I can't even call Margarito a good fighter at all. Mosley is good fighter but at 38 years old he might look so slow when he faces Mayweather especaially he has to chase Mayweather for 12 rounds because Mayweather is a good runner.

[BoxerDude]

True, but Mosley fought the wrong fight against Cotto. Pacquiao pretty much took everything that gave Mosley, Clottey and Margo success against Cotto (for example, the right uppercut).

And people seem to forget the Mosley was getting ready to knock Cotto out before the ref pulled them apart because there was water on the floor. And from that point he ran his way into a decision (something he couldn't do against Pacquiao because Pac's gameplan was to hurt him early, which was VERY effective).

So you can't really say Mosley isn't as good as Pac based on that one fight. Regardless if Margo had plaster in his previous fights, he didn't even get a chance to hit Mosley because he got destroyed so badly. Pac has better legs than Shane, but Shane definitely has the chin and upperbody/strength advantage (although not handspeed).

If Mosley and Cotto fought again, Mosley would stop him WAY before round 12, especially if he's really damaged goods now.

[Thane]

So Mayweather is taking on a challenge, and Pac-man is fighting a (relative) stiff. Hmm, who's the coward?

[Durell]

BoxerDude...knows little if he thinks Clottey is a stiff..

[Durell]

sorry, I misread...I guess that last comment should have been directed at Thane

[LatinoPorVida]

LOL here I am trying to watch this interview with Roach instead I get a classic R&B video what'z up with that?

I am so excited it sure made my day hearing the biggest news in boxing today. Mosley versus Mayweather finally I get to watch a great competitive matchup, one that I've been waiting for a long time now. If it's anyone that can give Floyd trouble it would have to be Mosley. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Mosley was to beat Mayweather hopefully not that way we can all get the chance to see Mayweather versus Pacquiao. Hey I never thought Mosley stood a chance against Margarito boy was I wrong especially after his poor performance against Mayorga.

In regards to Pacquiao verus Clottey I think once again speed will be the key factor for Manny winning a UD. I am not saying Clottey is a stiff but let's face it Pacquiao is alot faster plus I am sure Roach will have Manny cover up very well against the much taller opponent in Clottey.

[Morgan Campbell]

Yeah I wouldn't Clottey a stiff. He's not as good as Mosley, but not many guys are. He allowed Cotto to rally late and take a decision last June, but that doesn't make him a bum. He's a world-class welterweight and deserving of the title shot.

And Aloha I'd think twice before downgrading Mosley. Fact is after his destruction of Margarito, nobody wanted to tangle with Shane because he looked too damn. Pacman could have had a Mosley fight but he turned it down to take on Cotto for a the WBO belt. A Mosley fight offered a bigger belt and a bigger payday, yet Pacquiao chose Cotto. Why? Because Mosley is a bad matchup for him and he knows it. Say what you want about floyd, but credit him for stepping up against a guy who looked outstanding his last time out.
I'm not making this up. Watch this interview with Freddie Roach and note 2 parts. About 4:18 when he talks about how much or little Cotto had left, and about 7 minutes when explains why he never made a shane mosley fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWNOyrHKKo

[Morgan Campbell]

LatinoPorVIda, try the new link...

[joe]

nice to to see that the top three fighters ... pacman, money, and sugar shane are in the same weight class. i hope to see paul williams in the mix soon.

[LatinoPorVida]

Okay I heard what Roach had to say not impressed at all. First of all it seems like he is avoiding Mosley or else if he and his team really wanted they could have try to negotiate a fight with Shane after not being able to come in terms with Mayweather.

Second of all he says boxing is all business that's why they fought Cotto instead of Mosley

Last of all Floyd is the easiest fight com'on Roach get real Mayweather will outbox Pacquiao for 12 rounds possibly stopping him in the late rounds that's of course if they ever meet.

If Floyd was the easiest opponent out of the 3 mentioned then why did team Pacquiao pick Cotto instead of fighting Floyd enough said.

Also one last thing too bad both Sergio Martinez and Kermit Cintron ain't in the welterweight division just imagine them being in the mix

[Chris]

Morgan, interesting comments, but I'm still going with the conspiracy theory. Definitely agree that it could all fall apart though, both guys are facing no-joke opponents. I actually think Pac-man is going to have real problems with Clottey's size, power, and chin. And Mayweather / Mosely woud have been the fight of a generation in the early 2000's; even now its definitely intriguing. Between these bouts and the Super Six middleweight tournament, its going to be a great boxing year!

[Johnnyk]

Let's see what happens when Fraud gets hit hard. He can box, can he fight? Does he have any heart?
"He can run, but he can't hide."
- Joe Louis