HE might not be the best fight available for Rep. Manny Pacquiao. In fact, some are now twitting the Filipino boxing superstar for cherry picking his opponents, making him no different from the pretender to his pound for pound king throne.
But really, can you make arguments better than that given that Pacquiao has virtually obliterated the best competition in his preferred weight division but Floyd Mayweather Jr?
So it?s Shane Mosley alright and both Top Rank?s Bob Arum and loyal Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz were candid enough to admit that the choice was a business decision rather than enhancing Pacquiao?s ever growing legend.
Most probably, the fight contract that will be signed in a matter of time if we are to believe Mosley. And it better guarantee Pacquiao at least US$4 million more than what he earned in completely annihilating Antonio Margarito.
Koncz intimated before Bob Arum arrived in General Santos City that it is all but practically over and Mosley was the anointed one. But Koncz said they are holding on with the announcement as some seven-figure additional guaranteed purse is still being negotiated.
Apparently, Manny got his wish.
So it is on with Mosley.
While older than the 32-year old Pacquiao, Mosley (39) has a few competitive juices (the literal ones, not the banned substances) in him even though he has been fighting since 1993. Granting he is now clean after testing positive with performance enhancing drugs in the 2003 after he beat Oscar de la Hoya, Mosley?s durability in a brutal contact sports that is boxing is not uncommon. But he belongs to the exception rather than the rule. But as some others would also argue, former boxing champions past their prime believe they have one more good fight left in them.
Mosley may already have his in his knock out win over Antonio Margarito in January last year. He fought twice after that losing one to Mayweather and drawing the other with Sergio Mora.
In his prime, Mosley was one of the fastest welterweights and super welterweights.
But admit it or not, Mosley has seen better days. If he thinks he can still catch up with Manny?s speed, Mosley is terribly wrong. If he thinks he can take Manny?s punches, he is delusional.
I will guarantee Mosley will be breathing by his mouth if he reaches the fifth round.
He may still have that warrior spirit by his body will betray him. His legs will abandon him.
Only luck will enable him to survive Pacquiao?s relentless assaults. But in boxing, luck is not a weapon of choice when fighting a human dynamo that is Pacquiao.
Bad luck, Shane.
