It’s been long said that boxing is the theatre of the unexpected and on a day to day basis you never know fully what to expect in from the sport. While the recent announcement that Andre Berto would be withdrawing from his January 30th bout with Shane Mosley was first met with disappointment the attention was soon turned to the other possibilities that could emerge. With Berto now out of the picture the doors have been opened up for the possibility of Mosley finally linking up with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fans and insiders alike have been hyping up the contest at an alarming rate.
Despite not having fought in a year, Mosley’s January 2009 destruction of Antonio Margarito left such a lasting impression that it is hard to count the Pomona, California native out against anyone at 147 pounds. Pitting Mosley’s physical strength and power against the Las Vegas based Mayweather’s skills is a fascinating scenario and one that has been analyzed by nearly everyone for several years now. With the recent turn of events the fight looks like it now has its best chance of becoming a reality.
In search of some strong input from people in the know and those with a heavy opinion, I recently reached out to some boxing minds to gather their thoughts on all of the recent Mayweather-Mosley talk. Contacting my fellow writers as well as trainers, managers, and fighters, I asked everyone if they think the fight has a realistic chance of happening and how they think the fight would play itself out if Shane and Floyd ever do meet.
This is what everyone had to say…
Born and raised in New York before relocating to the US Southeast region, Jake Donovan has been covering the sport both in print and online since 1997. He currently serves as the Managing Editor for Boxing Scene and is an award-winning member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. This is what Jake had to say…
“While I think the fight stands a good chance of becoming a reality, no I don’t get the sense that Mayweather really wanted this fight. Schaefer (whom Floyd seems to allow to speak quite a bit on his behalf for someone who claims to not fight FOR Golden Boy) boxed him into a corner during the Pacquiao fallout, claiming that if the fight fell through, he’d fight Shane and prove to the world that he’s not the coward everyone’s making him out to be.
Basically, Schaefer did what was in the best interest of boxing. It gets Shane off of his back for not making a big fight and it’s a good PR move for Floyd, even if his hand is being forced.
Sadly, I don’t see Mayweather-Mosley being a particularly entertaining fight. Mayweather-Pac wouldn’t have been Fight of the Year, but I could see Floyd taking more risks in that fight as Pac is hittable and also wouldn’t boast a natural size advantage. Shane is much bigger, with an excellent chin (don’t let the first Vernon Forrest fight fool ya), and poses a legitimate threat. Where Shane is at a major disadvantage is that he’ll be going into the fight cold – 15 months since the Margarito fight. Floyd will use that to his advantage, take zero risks and box his way to a disinteresting, yet clear, decision over a sluggish Shane.”
Matt Yano is a boxing writer involved in the sport in many capacities. Matt works as a publicist in his free time as well as contributing to Primer Round Magazine and 15 Rounds (www.15Rounds.com). Matt also started his own website recently, www.GardenStateFightsScene.com. This is what he had to say…
“There is a very good possibility that the fight takes place. Mayweather-Mosley has been proposed for years and both are currently looking for a high level opponent. Both fighters have publicly claimed that the other ducked them in the past, but with Mosley desperate for a big fight before hanging up the gloves and Mayweather feeling the pressure to fight the best, I truly believe both men want the fight and that is why it may very well happen.
The fact is Mayweather has never been beaten and four of Mosley’s five losses were to good boxers (falling twice each to Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright), but if Mosley fights as well as he did against Margarito, Mayweather is in trouble. Mosley is the biggest puncher in the welterweight division and would be Mayweather’s most skilled opponent to date. Mosley will also be right in front of Mayweather all night and has the speed to give him issues unlike the majority of his recent opponents.
The biggest factor to me is Nazim Richardson, who took over Mosley’s training duties prior to the Margarito fight. Richardson, the same man who has worked with Bernard Hopkins for a number of years, is regarded as one of the most prepared trainers. Richardson is the same man who helped Hopkins expose previously unbeaten stars Felix Trinidad and Kelly Pavlik, therefore I think he will find a way to figure out Mayweather with precisely timed punches. I am taking Mosley by close decision.”
Born and bred in Los Angeles, David Avila fought sporadically as an amateur for ten years before turning to journalism. Avila is widely considered one of the premier West Coast beat writers and currently his work can be found at The Sweet Science and Uppercut Magazine. His latest article on the Mayweather-Mosley situation can be found HERE. This is what he had to say…
“If a window closes another opens and that might be the case for Sugar Shane Mosley.
The one that got away was Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather that dissipated, no, flamed out after back and forth talk cut the fight for good more than a week ago. But with the necessary withdrawal of Andre Berto due to family concerns in Haiti, a window opened for Mayweather to fill Mosley’s empty card. Or is that Mosley filling Mayweather’s card?
We will see.
We all know the balls in Mayweather’s court. Shane is in. It’s up to Floyd to see if he wants to play with Shane. Richard Schaefer thinks it will be made.”
Joseph Figueroa is a sixty-six fight veteran of the sport who has fought five world champions while traveling the world over as a professional. Known to many in the boxing world as ‘Pop’, the Bronx native isn’t one to hold back with his thoughts and had much to say about Mayweather and Mosley…
“I think that Mayweather didn’t want the fight originally, he wanted some payback for them not fighting some years back, which he blames on Shane. Now since his back is against the wall, he might not have a choice but to fight Shane. People want to see it, and Floyd fighting Paulie, Nate or even Tim won’t be as big a deal as him fighting Shane. Remember Floyd is big on trying to get big pay per view numbers. The only way to get big numbers are to fight Pac, or Shane. Long overdue, but still a competitive fight.
If this fight actually happens, I think that Floyd will be to passive to engage, and will not get hit often, to make for a boring dec. win for Floyd. Shane will try being the game fighter tyhat he is, but Shane has a history of not doing well with southpaws, and tall, long boxers. Floyd fights long. He does not like to engage. I want Shane to land one good right hand and end it, but I feel that Floyd will stink it out again. Also, I feel that Floyd has no killer instinct. He had a little guy in front of him last time out, and couldn’t hurt him or even try to get rid of him. Not only was the guy naturally smaller , but Floyd came in way overweight. Good boxer, but not close to what people this he is.”
Jackie Kallen is one of boxing’s first and most successful female promoters. A Detroit native, Kallen played an instrumental role in the careers of both Thomas Hearns and James Toney through her time in boxing circles in Detroit. Her life was the inspiration for the film Against the Ropes. Kallen is still very much passionate about the sport and hopes that the recent turn of events can take us back to days past in the sport…
“This is an interesting turn of events. Mosley/Berto/Mayweather/Pacquaio/Clottey. Could be a replay of the good old days when it was Hearns/Hagler/Duran/Leonard. I love it when the best fight the best and the public wins.”
An avid follower of the Sweet Science, Kenneth Ragpala has been covering the sport since 2005, with works appearing in local newspapers and newsletters in his home city and surrounding areas of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Also known as the Frustrated Sports Analyst, Kenneth’s works also appear in Bleacher Report’s boxing category, with some articles already featured and syndicated by CBSSports.com. He is a feature writer for 8 Count News as well. This is what Kenneth had to say…
“Mosley has always been on Mayweather’s tail since the guy unretired, so virtually there is no question as to whether Mosley wants the fight. Mayweather, he is quite boxed in after Pacquiao moved in to take on Joshua Clottey. If he wants to one-up Pacquiao in this regard, taking on Molsey would seem to be the most logical choice for Money May. It is a realistic matchup, but I won’t be surprised if Mayweather would wiggle his way out of a Mosley fight, too.
If they do fight, Mosley would end a ring drought that lasted for more than a year. But I don’t see any ring rust from Sugar Shane since the guy is a gym rat. I see it as a battle of speed – old speed vs young speed.
But Mosley is the stronger puncher of the two and after what he did to Margarito, i am inclined to say that Mosley will hurt Mayweather, despite the latter’s great defense. Mayweather will be able to slip, duck, and evade but I see Mosley applying constant pressure and eventually he will catch Mayweather with a number of solid shots.”
Check out exclusive photos from this week’s panel speakin on the Mayweather-Mosley situation
Francisco ‘Gato’ Figueroa is a contender in the Welterweight division. Figueroa is coming off of a draw with highly touted Rashad Holloway this past November and is eyeing all possibilities in the New Year. Always full of emotion, this is what the Bronx native had to say…
“Yes the fight should happen. Mayweather holds the key to boxing and he is scared to pass it up to Shane. Mayweather will lose.”
Sabrina Montez has been involved in sports journalism since she was a teenager and covers both the boxing and NBA scene. Montez has often been referred to as the ‘Verbal Vixen’ due to her upfront way with words and her work can be found at her daily blog by clicking HERE. This is what Sabrina had to say…
“The reality of a potential clash between Mayweather and Mosley looks promising. Mosley needs this fight to transpire more than Mayweather. Mosley has something to prove at 38 and he is often treated as the step child of the welterweight division. Then again Mayweather needs this fight also, since the Pacquiao fight never materialized. Mayweather needs a true welterweight as his next opponent and either Mosley or Williams will do. We all saw the impressive annihilation Mosley had over Margarito. I don’t see the same scenario occurring against the skillful Mayweather. Both fighters possess serious skills in the ring. Mosley has that reach, overhand rights, punching power, strength, stamina, and damaging body shots. Mayweather has that shoulder roll, solid defense, quick right hands, accuracy, and the ability to counter. I believe Mosley makes too many mistakes defensively and Mayweather will not hesitate to capitalize on them. Mosley has a shot, but I’m sure Mayweather will win by UD.”
An award winning boxing writer, T.K. Stewart’s work has appeared in numerous boxing publications and on the Internet over the past decade. His writing currently appears on Boxing Scene and the FOX Sports Web sites. Mr. Stewart has won the prestigious Barney Award bestowed by the Boxing Writers Association America six times in the past four years. He also runs a daily blog, T.K. Stewart on Boxing. This is what the Maine resident had to say…
“I don’t think the fight has a realistic possibility of happening. I know that Shane Mosley is craving the fight and in all actuality I believe the only two fighters he really has a strong desire to face are Mayweather and Pacquiao.
Shane has been saying just that all along for the past several months – and I tend to believe him on that. I spoke to him in Las Vegas during the weekend of the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight this past November. Shane was adamant that he only wants to meet the best fighters and he mentioned Pacquiao and Mayweather as two of the best fighters out there.
I don’t believe that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. really wants to fight Mosley – at all. The look of fear in Mayweather’s eyes when Mosley came up into the ring after the Marquez fight said it all for me. I believe that’s the reason why he became so angry when Mosley came into the ring – because he was half-terrified and surely humiliated at a guy that he has no plans in facing actually challenging him face-to-face. Mayweather will make up a scenario and release a statement that says one of two things. One, that Mosley is a steroid user and I won’t fight him, or two, Mosley doesn’t bring enough money to the table. In my opinion, Floyd will avoid this fight at all costs.
If the fight ever did come off, I believe Mosley would put up a very strong effort, but ultimately Mayweather would win the decision. Mosley is not difficult to hit and he has never had the greatest defense. Floyd is younger, has way less miles on the fistic odometer and his defense will shut Mosley down. In the speed department I would say they are about equal, but I think Floyd is quicker. In the end, I give Mosley a great shot at winning, but I think Mayweather would pull out a victory.”
Jaidon Codrington is former National Golden Gloves champion who went on to have real success as a professional. Codrington compiled a 19-2 record with 15 knockouts during his career as a Super Middleweight. Codrington was a fan favorite on the 3rd season of The Contender and ended up losing to eventual champion Sakio Bika in the championship round in one of 2007’s best fights. This is what the New York native had to say…
“Very realistic that this fight happens. Floyd once again played himself though. Why not fight Shane when he was hot coming off the big fight with Margarito? I would have picked Shane then but Shane is getting older by the day and a year and a half layoff doesnt help either!”
Chico Carbajal is a trainer in the Miami, Florida area. Carbajal has worked intensely in years past with Super Middleweight contender Allan Green, former champion Randall Bailey, as well as playing a key role in helping Nate Campbell prepare for his title winning effort against Juan Diaz in March of 2008. Carbajal is currently helping Jr. Middleweight Ed Paredes gear up for a February 5th rematch with Joey Hernandez on ESPN2. This is what the Chicago native had to say…
“As you know and as do I, styles make fights. But i think Floyd’s youth and speed make the difference. Don’t get me wrong though, Shane has speed himself. I see Floyd winning by a split decision. I know Shane wants the fight but to Floyd it really doesn’t matter.”
Vivek Wallace is an avid follower of the sport and a columnist for 8 Count News, The Examiner, and East Side Boxing. Vivek’s view on the sport of boxing is often unmatched and he takes great pride in analyzing the sport from as many angles as possible. This is what the South Florida resident had to say about the potential clash…
“I think this fight is a great possibility, but I think seeing it materialize hinges squarely on the political landscape – like always in this sport. There’s a huge triangle here (between Mayweather, Mosley, and GoldenBoy Promotions) that makes for a rather ‘square’ component. Mayweather forced a steroid test on Pacquiao, and GBP supported it; yet when Judah asked Mosley for one, GBP wouldn’t support it. Which man does GBP support now? The one they have under contract, (Mosley), or the one they support because of his earning power that doesn’t have one (contract)? I think both men want the fight….but then enters politics. Mosley has to agree to testing because he already has a suspicious past, but will he counter that request with some odd request of his own – like an outrageous portion of the financial split? These kind of politics will have to be addressed. Not addressing them will not only result in the loss of this fight, but would be a HUGE black eye for boxing because it would be 2 men in a short span refusing to be tested for steroids. There’s no equivalence to that eye sore any where in the world of sports today!
This is a matchup nearly a decade in the making. Mosley was once viewed as the perennial welterweight of this era. Mayweather holds that billet today. The long layoff won’t help Mosley but Richardson in his corner could be a perfect equalizer. It’s a toss-up fight, but who wins would depend on which Mosley shows up? If Floyd is on his game, it may not matter. The Mosley that fought Mayorga would stand little chance, and the one that drilled Margarito would learn that Mayweather isn’t a sitting duck like he was. It would be a great fight, but if Mayweather uses his defense, he could easily score a points win the same way Cotto did – (who is no where near as skilled a boxer, might I add).”
Randall Bailey is former two time champion in the Jr. Welterweight division currently campaigning as a Welterweight. Long time considered one of the sport’s most lethal knockout artists, Bailey has his sights set on a March 12th clash with Jackson Bonsu in Belgium in a reported IBF title eliminator. This is what the low key contender had to say…
“I knew that that Pacquiao vs. Mayweather wasn’t going to happen. Everything pretty much happened the way that I expected and I guess they just weren’t ready for that fight. I honestly wasn’t impressed with Shane’s performance against [Antonio] Margarito. I heard through the grapevine that Margarito didn’t leave for camp to train for the fight and stayed at home with his wife and kids. He looked it during the fight too. Nothing for nothing, even though he lost I thought Cotto hit him with much harder shots in their fight. I do think Mosley will give Floyd a great fight but I don’t think he’ll beat him.”
