Although it’s Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley who will face each other across the ring this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, many of the questions asked of Pacquiao in the lead up to the fight have instead related to long term rival Floyd Mayweather.
The reason for this is likely twofold.
Firstly as well regarded in the boxing community as Shane Mosley is, he isn’t known for his headline grabbing quotations.
Being respectful and polite about opponents is all very well, but in an encounter between two fighters known for their manners out of the ring, inevitably the press are going to search for other storylines.
Secondly Mosley was Floyd Mayweather’s last opponent, and most fans are hoping that a Pacquiao victory this weekend might eventually lead to he and Mayweather squaring off. Something attempted at least twice depending on which side you listen to, and both times ending in failure.
Speaking to several members of the press yesterday including BoxingScene’s Rick Reeno shortly after he and opponent Shane Mosley arrived in Las Vegas, Pacquiao said of Mayweather:
“I don’t want to talk about Floyd Mayweather’s issues. I’m the kind of person where I don’t want to talk about behind his back. Yes, I believe that boxing is healthier when that happens, but I don’t think he (Mayweather) really wants to fight.”
Mayweather, speaking later to FightHype fired back with his usual material about random blood testing, denied being scared of Pacquiao and even found the time to call Shane Mosley his ‘leftovers’.
“Floyd Mayweather has never been scared fo Manny Pacquiao at all, Never”
“All I say everyday is this, just take the test! Floyd’s scared of you? Ok. If I’m scared of you why won’t you take the tests?”
See the full interview at FightHype.com.
Yesterday a story broke in which Roger Mayweather claimed that his nephew would be fighting in the near future at the Cowboys stadium in Texas.
Mayweather denied this today however, and instead stuck with his go-to quote regarding a ring return: He’s not thinking about fighting, he’s focussing on enjoying time with his family.
In short Pacquiao believes Mayweather is scared to fight him. Mayweather continues to comment on the issue of Olympic style drug testing.
