“Pacquiao is very hittable and that’s the problem he has with me because I can put your lights out. I mean, whether everybody says I’m old or this and that, my punching power ain’t going nowhere. I’m not as slow as Margarito. I’m at least 3 times faster than Margarito, so if Margarito can touch him, I can touch him too. Floyd knows what that feels like. It didn’t feel like nothing he’s ever felt before. He knows what’s up,” stated three-division world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley, who can’t wait to start training camp for his May 7 showdown with pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao. Check out what he had to say about the fight, the move to Showtime/CBS, and much more.
BT: What’s up Sugar Man?
SM: Ben, what’s going on? Whatcha doin?
BT: Nothing. Chillin’. I was just calling to touch base with you before you get ready to kick off the press tour.
SM: Oh yeah, it’s going to be nice when May 7th comes.
BT: So how are you feeling, man? Mosley vs. Pacquiao is gonna be a reality in just a few short months.
SM: I feel great. I’m excited. I can’t wait to get into the ring and do my thing. I can’t wait to get into camp and start training, really. With Fight Camp 360 following us, that’s going to be fun. A lot of things are happening, so I’m just excited.
BT: Speaking of that, what do you think about the fight being on Showtime pay-per-view and CBS showing some of the documentary? That’s pretty huge, right?
SM: Yeah, that’s real big. I mean, CBS, they reach 4 times as many households as HBO. That’s a lot. That’s like 114 million viewers versus 28 million viewers. I mean, wow! That’s a huge difference. There might be a real big blow-up on the pay-per-view. I’m really excited about that. That’s going to be good.
BT: If all goes well, that has the potential to maybe set a record.
SM: Yeah, I mean, with more people watching it [the 360 documentary on CBS], the casual fans, the ones that really are not boxing fans, they’re going to get a chance to watch and see how we train and do our workouts, and stuff like that. You got a lot of people who are going to come and watch the fights. I like it. I think it’s a good idea; a brilliant idea by Bob Arum.
BT: At the end of the day, I think it’s going to mean a lot more money for everyone involved, and on top of that, it’s getting boxing more exposure on network TV, so it’s a win-win.
SM: Bob Arum did a lot of fights with Sugar Ray Leonard and those guys on CBS and Wide World of Sports and stuff like that, so now, coming back, he’s just making boxing bigger and better.
BT: You know, I spoke with Sugar Ray Leonard just last week and he was telling me he liked your chances in the fight.
SM: Oh yeah! He knows that right hand can land (laughing).
BT: (Laughing) That’s funny because it seems like that’s a common theme when fighters talk about Pacquiao. They always mention the fact that he’s so hittable.
SM: Yeah, Pacquiao is very hittable and that’s the problem he has with me because I can put your lights out. I mean, whether everybody says I’m old or this and that, my punching power ain’t going nowhere. I’m not as slow as Margarito. I’m at least 3 times faster than Margarito, so if Margarito can touch him, I can touch him too. Floyd knows what that feels like. It didn’t feel like nothing he’s ever felt before. He knows what’s up.
BT: I don’t think there’s any question that you’re going to touch him. The question is whether or not he’ll be able to take your punches as well as he’s taken punches from everyone else. I don’t think he’s ever faced anyone that hits as hard as you.
SM: I don’t think so either and it’s going to be something different, but, you know, we’ll see.
BT: Do you think you’ll have to knock him out just to get a fair shake on the scorecards?
SM: I don’t think so, but I’m looking to do that. I think that he might get the edge or the favor if it’s a close fight, but if I dominate him, then it’s going to be kind of hard to give it to him. They do have a rematch clause in there, so it’s not like I’m walking away with the victory without fighting him again. I’m all for the rematch. I love it.
BT: My boy Percy talked to your dad [Jack Mosley] and he sounded like he would love an opportunity to get back in your corner.
SM: He do, he do, but I mean, it is what it is, you know? I gotta do what I gotta do. I mean, he’ll be around. He’ll be there. He’s probably not going to be in camp, but he’ll probably show his face a couple times.
BT: Well, Champ, like I said, I just wanted to catch up with you real quick. I’m sure we’ll be getting a lot more from you as we get closer to the fight.
SM: We’re going to be doing a lot of talking, so don’t worry. I’m going to be talking a lot.
