It goes without saying that we don?t always get what we want in the sport of boxing. With so many talented fighters lurking around the desired matchups that we crave don?t always come to fruition and we are left wondering ?What could have been? on many occasions.
As Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley get ready for their highly-anticipated battle this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada they do so with much attention from the public fixed on their lives. It is the type of fight that has drawn interest from people the world over as the contest pits two of this generation?s premier fighters against one another but in recent years there have been a slew of other pugilists who have longed for a crack at both Floyd and Shane.
One week after the Mayweather-Mosley contest we will witness to another meaningful clash seven pounds north as Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron do battle at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Pitting Williams’ non-stop activity against Cintron?s crippling power should produce something memorable and one wouldn?t be surprised to see the winner of that bout clamoring for a shot at either Mayweather or Mosley, just as they have done in recent years.
Williams first began creating serious buzz for his career around 2006 as a young and undefeated Welterweight with tremendous length and the ability to throw punches in bunches. Despite having a leaky defense, Williams? chin was stout and his July 2007 victory over Antonio Margarito served as somewhat of a breaking out party. Shortly before that contest and immediately after the South Carolina native let it be known of his desires to face the division?s best, including Mayweather in particular.
Floyd was coming off of a split-decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya and instead turned his sights to undefeated Ricky Hatton, whom he thrashed in December of 2007, and a date with Williams never came about as the Grand Rapids fighter instead took a step away from the sport shortly thereafter. With Floyd now back in the spotlight, Williams can?t help but give his thoughts on this Saturday?s clash.
?The two proclaimed best welterweights in the world fighting Saturday night aren’t the best welterweights in the world-Paul Williams is the best,? Williams said boldly. ?They feared fighting me even when I was a two-time World Welterweight Champion. I’m saying it now loud and clear: ?After I beat Kermit Cintron on May 8 at the Home Depot Center, I demand the winner get into the ring with me. If not, they better not say they’re the best at welterweight!?
With his wishes sounding more like orders it is obvious that the 6?1 freak of nature is chomping at the bit for a crack at either man. As for the fight itself Williams seems to feel that Mosley?s power will prevail.
?As for the fight Saturday, Shane Mosley will stop Mayweather.?
Last year Kermit Cintron?s back was against the wall and his career was in question. Known best for his two stoppage losses to Margarito, the former champion was a clear underdog heading into his May bout with Alfredo Angulo yet produced the kind of performance that his supporters were dying to see.
Angulo?s pressure and sustained attack mirrors that of Margarito yet Cintron stepped his game up and befuddled his Mexicali foe with basic boxing. After twelve rounds scores of 116-112 across the board were all read in Cintron?s favor and his career was immediately given new life. Now poised with an opportunity to again spoil the masses if he is to defeat Williams, Cintron is back in the spotlight and enjoying every minute.
The former IBF welterweight champion has expressed his desire to face both Mayweather and Mosley in the past yet seems to have much more respect for Shane as a fighter. When giving his thoughts on the bout Cintron seems to feel that Mosley is being overlooked.
?Shane Mosley has all the tools to beat Mayweather,? Cintron noted ?Mayweather is a great fighter, but I believe he is underestimating Mosley, especially because of his age. Mosley?s age does not reflect the great fighter he is.?
Come May 2nd hopefully many of our questions about Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley will be answered. Win or lose both men will surely be in position for more meaningful fights afterwards and all one has to do is look one week ahead to the Williams-Cintron clash for a glimpse of what the future may hold.
Images of the week
Click on the collage below for a picture by picture look at the grand arrivals of Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley…
