Sugar Shane Mosley’s spectacular knockout of Antonio Margarito – an elite fighter currently mired in cheating controversy – has made boxing planners map out the boxing landscape for potential next matches. At 37 years of age, and winding down his solid career, Mosley has made it clear that he is looking for high profile fights against the best fighters out there. Regarding timelines, it looks like Sugar Shane could soon be displaying his quick hands and punching power sometime this summer.
According to Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, who represents Mosley, Mayweather’s camp has flat out rejected a prospective fight against a fighter who – post the Margarito fight – many consider has taken the mantle as the best welterweight in the world. Pretty Boy Floyd has kept mum on his future plans, ignoring the retirement / unretirement issue in a recent Super Bowl interview. Bad news for Sugar Shane – given his stature, if there is any boxer out there most deserving of high dollar / primetime prize fights, it is he.
Former Margarito foe Miguel Cotto now looks like a solid possibility. Mosley lost a narrow decision to Cotto in 2007. Still considered by most boxing enthusiasts as a top 10 pound for pound fighter, sporting only one loss, a Cotto vs. Mosley showdown (which is a prospective Pay-Per-View fight) can take place as early as late summer, perhaps on HBO. The commentators on HBO – namely Emanuel Steward, Larry Merchant, and Jim Lampley – in their live commentaries on bouts featuring Cotto and Mosley, have shown favorable views toward both fighters. This match could feature two very good boxers, both viewed favorably by the public, slugging it out for a very good fight.
Another possibility for Sugar Shane is a clash with the winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton, a junior welterweight championship bout set to take place on May 2nd. There are various internet musings about Mosley’s superior size advantage against the winner of that fight. Increasing the marketability of a Mayweather vs. Mosley showdown – a fight that many consider should have happened already. What lies in store for Pretty Boy Floyd? There are less and less details to offer.
