They say that boxing is 90% mental. This past Saturday proved that adage to be true as we saw Shane Mosley mentally cage himself while losing a 12-round unanimous decision against renowned mega-star Manny Pacquiao. While fight fans hoped to see glimpses of the “Sugar” Shane of old, instead we saw an old “Sugar” Shane, too timid to throw and too scared to mix it up. Some time during the middle of the fight, the corner microphones picked up Mosley’s trainer Naazim Richardson saying that they had Pacquiao figured out, which appeared to be true as Mosley was able to weave out of harm’s way and time counters accurately. He could have landed, and landed effectively, but for some reason, he simply didn’t.
After a knockdown in the third round, Mosley never seemed to recover mentally, outwardly worrying about being knocked out and opting to survive the fight rather than actually fight. The number of cheery glove taps during the bout matched the obligatory degree of sportsmanlike conduct to satisfy the fight four times over as Mosley touched gloves after every round, after every clinch, after being knocked down, and damn near after every movement. He even touched gloves when Pacquiao rose from the canvas after a push that was mistakenly ruled a knockdown, as if to say, “Yeah, I know it was a push. Sorry.”
Where was the durable fighter that pulled out the 12th round KO of Ricardo Mayora? Where was the relentless warrior that dismantled Antonio Margarito a couple years back? Where was the Shane that we were all hoping for? Saturday night, Sugar Shane was diagnosed with the age-old ailment of showing too much respect.
I began to wonder how much of the fight was already in the Filipino’s favor before the two even stepped into the ring; how much of the excessive adulation began once the contracts were signed. When you look at Pacquiao’s last three fights – Clottey, Margarito and Mosley – the pre-fight press conferences appeared more like friendly reunions rather than a meeting to promote the act of two men beating each other. It makes you wonder, how many of Pacquiao’s opponents have been complacent in just having a hefty payday against boxing’s biggest star rather than fight with real conviction?
What we need is someone with as much ego and status to actually trash talk and challenge Pacquiao. What we need is a fighter who isn’t scared to test the mental fortitude of the Filipino. Basically, what we need is a competitor that won’t kiss Manny’s ass. Is there anyone out there who will step up to the plate?
