Shane Mosley paid tribute to Manny Pacquiao as the pair discussed their fight in Los Angeles on May 7.
Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against the 39-year-old veteran, who was dominated by Floyd Mayweather last spring before fighting an unconvincing draw with Sergio Mora.
Both boxers are renowned for their aggressive come-forward style in the ring, but are just as reluctant to engage in trash-talking out of it.
“Manny is a special fighter because he goes out there and he puts 100 percent into what he is doing,” said Mosley.
“People, they feel it and they see it when he is out there working in the ring. He always tries to fight, tries to win and tries to knock the guy out. He has a love of the sport.
“We are very similar and I think that’s what is going to make this fight very exciting. I want to win, he wants to win and it will be a fight to the finish.”
Pacquiao has dominated the fight scene for the past few years, beating allcomers while moving through the weight classes.
Yet the 32-year-old remains keen to entertain his legion of fans around the world – winning is simply not enough for the Filipino.
“I am excited about this matchup,” said Pacquiao. “We both like to keep coming forward in the ring and we like to entertain the people who love boxing.
“I have to train hard because I don’t want to disappoint them, the people who will watch the fight.
“I know it’s more responsibility for me and that’s why I have to train hard and get myself in 100 percent condition so that I won’t let down the fans.”
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach scoffs at the notion that his fighter faces an easy task against an American opponent who appears to have seen better days.
“That’s the worst thing in the world you can say because this is definitely not an easy fight,” Roach said.
“Shane has been there many times and he’s going to rise to the occasion. He is fighting Manny Pacquiao and he will fight the best fight of his life, I feel.
“We would be fools to underestimate Shane and we will not do that, I promise you.”
And Mosley believes backers of the underdog will be rewarded on the big day.
“A lot of people are going to be rich, a lot of people are going to make money from this fight,” he said with a smile. “The people that follow boxing know. The people that don’t, they might bet the wrong way.”
