I have never been a big Shane Mosley fan. Not even while he was whipping Antonio Margarito’s ass.
I have seen some reporters dancing around a particular subject involving Mosley over the past several days, which I will now address:
Shane Mosley will have to buy a ticket to see Manny Pacquiao or any other Top Rank fighter anytime soon.
Bob Arum isn’t letting anybody affiliated with Golden Boy get a shot at any one of his Top Rank fighters. Especially since these Mayweather, Jr. vs. Pacquiao negotiations have turned so nasty.
Arum will take this anger to his grave and his Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler is a loyal soldier.
I think the reverberations of “The Negotiations” will be felt for many years and by many innocent fighters, trainers, cutmen and other promotion workers.
Why would Arum go through hell with Mayweather only to resume it with Mosley with the same negotiators. I don’t have to pay Mosley any due respect. He’s 38. He’s had his chances. He’s not due anything else.
Of course Top Rank promoter Bob Arum can’t say this. But I sure can.
I know the Mosley record has people pointing toward Canastota, NY and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He shouldn’t get in until the average length of time most have to wait – six years on the ballot. But he’ll get in, maybe much sooner than that.
The record is 46-5 (39 KO’s). The losses: five decisions. Two to the late Vernon Forrest. Two to Winky Wright and a very good effort against Miguel Cotto.
He gets in no doubt. First or second year. He’s a fighter’s fighter.
I guess I really turned on Mosley during the post fight interview chaos in the ring for Mayweather, Jr. vs. Juan Manual Marquez last September. He looked so out of place pleading his case to Mayweather, Jr. I always thought Mosley had much more dignity than that.
But his situation now is he will be frozen out from any Top Rank fighter. He might not even get past Andre Berto on January 30th. I think Berto is difficult to get motivated for although he has talent. And the distractions of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao have to be constantly on his mind.
But if he does get past Berto, I doubt Mayweather gives Mosley a shot either. Mayweather is just that kind of guy as we are finding out.
I don’t know what the boxing future holds for Shane Mosley if he’s blocked by Pacquiao and Mayweather.
Maybe a rematch with Antonio Margarito? The future may be 19 year-old amateur prospect Shane Jr. He’s being trained by his grandfather Jack Mosley, who trained Shane.
