(CNN) — Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley have been speaking to the media ahead of their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title showdown at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on Saturday.
Neither title holder Pacquiao, nor challenger Mosley, have engaged in any trash talk prior to the fight, and their final press conference again confirmed the mutual respect the fighters have for each other.
Filipino Pacquiao, the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles and in eight weight divisions, told reporters: “There has not been any trash talk for this fight, and I am happy with that.
“It sets a good example for the children who idolize fighters. In my life, this is the best promotion I’ve ever been involved in.”
The 32-year-old added: “I am looking forward to Saturday and making a good fight with Shane Mosley for the fans.
“I am definitely not taking this fight lightly and I am not underestimating Shane Mosley. Mosley has good hand and foot speed and he moves like he is 31 or 32.
“Both of us have worked hard and had great training camps. We will both be doing our best, which should make for a lot of action and make the fans happy. I will be happy if this happens.”
Mosley himself is a former three-time world champion, but the 39-year-old has won only two of his last five fights, with gruelling defeats to Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto, as well as a draw with Sergio Mora, making many observers believe he is past his best.
“The main goal is to get the win and then we can talk about being an underdog,” said the American. “I don’t pay attention to that — I’ve been an underdog in a lot of my fights.”
Mosley added: “I think living healthy and living clean, keeping myself active even when I’m not fighting is what keeps me young.
“I think that’s why I’m still able to do this. Maybe it’s good genetics, too. I still feel good, I still feel young. I feel like I could fight for years.
“This type of fight reminds me of when I was able to do a lot of damage in the lightweight division — It’s kind of like going back in time for me.”
