Mosley trying to finalize deal with Pacquiao

The contracts have yet to be signed, but on paper there seems to be at least a little intrigue for a matchup this fall between two of the top fighters in the world.

World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley 46-5-0 (39 KOs) said Wednesday that only a few obstacles stand between him and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao 49-3-2 (37 KOs) securing a catch-weight bout for Oct. 17.

“Now that Manny has stated that he is ready to fight me, the only thing left to finish are negotiations," Mosley said in a released statement on Wednesday.

"(Promoters) Richard Schaefer and Bob Arum are working out the details now. I will be ready to fight Pacquiao on October 17."

While Mosley’s camp was quick to spread the news that the Filipino superstar reportedly told GMA News on Wednesday that he would be willing to fight the 37-year-old Mosley ("No problem. We can fight. As long as we negotiate," Pacquiao said.), Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, told the Los Angeles Times such talk was premature.

"This has absolutely no credibility to it. Manny hasn't decided who he's going to fight," Arum said. "It could be Mosley, or it could be (Miguel) Cotto, (Floyd) Mayweather Jr., (Juan Manuel) Marquez or (Edwin) Valero. They're all in the mix."

"I've also heard from Manny's people that he wants to wait and see the Mayweather-Marquez fight (on July 18) before he agrees to anything,” continued Arum, who told the Times he was contacted by Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, Wednesday about a possible deal.

“That would mean we won't be ready until November. All that he's said is that he's willing to fight Mosley. But he still has to explore the best deal.”

For most boxing fans the biggest fight looming would be a showdown between undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. 39-0 (25 KOs), and the reigning fighter of the year, Pacquiao.

First, Mayweather would have to get past Marquez in July. Pacquiao, who is filming a movie this summer in his native Philippines, could then decide to set up a multi-million dollar megafight with “Pretty Boy” Floyd.

But “Pac-Man” trainer Freddie Roach said after his second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton last month that he doesn’t want the IBO and Ring Magazine World Light Welterweight champ to be away from the ring for too long.

"As a fan, I'd like to see him fight Mosley," Roach said at the time. “The Mayweather fight may not happen because we don't want to wait for him. Mosley is more dangerous, they both like to fight and his power is dangerous. But Manny is the best, anyone in the world, he can beat all of them."

Mosley, who on Wednesday won a fight outside the ring when a New York State Supreme Court judge upheld his defamation case against BALCO steroid head Victor Conte, said he would be willing to fight somewhere between 140 and 147 pounds and offer a 60-40 split of the purse favoring Pacquaio, who has won 10 straight fights.

"I like to put my skills to the test, I started with Antonio Margarito and now if I had the chance to fight Pacquiao that would be great," Mosley said at the media conference after Pacquiao’s dominant victory at the MGM Grand.

"I tell him in person, let's do it at 147. You want the welterweight title, let's do it and see what happens."

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Pacquiao-Mosley at 144 lb not advisable

Here's a news article from PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao should avoid falling into the trap being laid out for him by Shane Mosley.

One of Pacquiao’s advisers – Rex “Wakee” Salud – issued the warning after Mosley said he’s ready to stake his WBA welterweight crown if he gets to face the Filipino champion at a catch weight of 144 lb on Oct. 17.

It was also reported that Mosley has agreed to a 60/40 split in favor of the reigning pound-for-pound champion, and on the inclusion of a rematch clause in the fight contract, in case he wins over Pacquiao.

Salud said it’s all too good to be true.

“Manny may be too small for Mosley if he agrees to fight at 144 pounds. Baka naman makawawa tayo (We may end up short-changed),” said the boxing figure from Cebu.

“It’s Mosley who needs Manny so he should agree to what Freddie Roach (Pacquiao’s trainer) wants and that’s 142. Or at least, maybe they can make 143. But not 144,” added Salud.

Mosley, a 37-year-old American, can stake his WBA title if he fights Pacquiao at a catch weight of anywhere from 140.1 lb to 147 lb which is the welterweight limit.

Salud said Pacquiao should only agree to fight Mosley if it’s 142 or 143 lb. The Pinoy icon is also looking at Miguel Cotto as his next opponent, and the decision may come later this month.

Even Gerry Peñalosa, the former world bantamweight champion, said it wouldn’t be wise for Pacquiao to fight Mosley at 144 lb.

“Baka mahirapan masyado si Manny kay Mosley kapag 144 (Manny may have a very difficult time with Mosley at 144),” said Peñalosa.

He said Mosley, who started his career in 1993 at 136 lb (Pacquiao made his pro debut in 1994 at 106 lb), can make 144 for the weigh-in and climb the ring a monster at 154 or even more.

“Baka mapiga ng kaunti sa pagkuhang timbang sa 144 pero madali makaka-recover (He might squeeze himself a bit to make weight but can easily recover),” said Peñalosa of Mosley.

Salud recalled that for the Oscar dela Hoya fight last December, Pacquiao only weighed 142 or five lb lower than the weight limit agreed upon.

And for the Ricky Hatton fight last month, Pacquiao only weighed 138 or two lb lighter than the limit.

“That’s Manny’s comfort zone, to weigh in at 138, 140 or 142 lb. If he agrees to 144, that will give Mosley all the comfort he needs,” Salud said.

Mosley said he can try and make 144 and then he plans to climb the ring against Pacquiao at 154 lb or anywhere he’s comfortable at without sacrificing his speed.

Mosley asked Roach why they can’t fight him at 147 lb just like Dela Hoya and the three-time Trainer of the Year simply said Mosley is not Dela Hoya.

Mosley is coming off a big win over Antonio Margarito last January. In that fight, the fighter from Pomona, California looked like a budding superstar, showing great speed and power to win inside nine rounds.

“Iba si Mosley kay Oscar (Mosley is not Oscar),” Salud added.

Author : Abac Cordero

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Shane Mosley

Boxing Record

Wins : 46
Wins by KO : 39
Losses : 5
No contests : 1

"Sugar" Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971) is an orthodox boxer from Pomona, California. He has won world titles in three weight divisions. He is the current WBA Welterweight Super Champion. Mosley has been connected to the BALCO Labs steroid scandal, with documents seized from the lab showing that Mosley received "the clear" and "the cream", both designer steroids.

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Manny Pacquiao

Boxing Record

Wins :49

Wins by KO :  37

Losses : 3

Draws : 2

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao (born December 17, 1978), known as Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao is a Filipino professional South Paw boxer, part-time actor and recording artist. He is the former WBC Lightweight world champion, WBC Super Featherweight world champion, IBF Super Bantamweight world champion, and WBC Flyweight world champion. He has also held the Ring Magazine titles for Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Light Welterweight divisions. For his achievements, he became the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions. He is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and is rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He is also the first boxer to win the lineal championship ("the man who beat the man") in four different weight classes.

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