There’s something about the word “insider” that is uniquely American because America’s diversity and independent spirit lend to people taking shelter in illicit circles. When you’re at the club, you gape at the famous folks who walk to the restricted area closed off to you and wish you were one of the “VIP’s.” There’s the “baller,” the “players,” the upper crust; you know, people with not only financial power but clout and influence.
Mafia lore is filled with references to inner sanctums with coded language such as “goodfellas” and “made men,” even their so-called rivals were called “untouchables” and “G Men.” Conspiracy theorist believe this country is secretly run by “insider” groups like the Free Masons, Skull and Bones and the Illuminati -even our Rappers hint at there being a “game behind the game” that few can play. Boxing is a business with a long tradition of powerful matchmakers, promoters and gangsters running the sport silently from the wings ~ ghostwriting the drama we (fans) take for reality. Today, with fighters taking more control over their careers and considering themselves corporations, we’ve come a long way from gangsters and yes, even Don King. With this new dynamic it’s hard enough for fans to follow just who “Can” fight who, with all of the conflicting interests involved. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao won’t fight, but it won’t be the first time there were too many powerful chefs in the kitchen to get something done – so consider it the new norm. And yet when something like this plays itself out over a long stretch of time it’s hard not to dismiss boxing as a poorly orchestrated political soap opera masquerading as sport. As we sit back and take note of 5 billionaires deciding who will be our President, we are reminded of our dear “sport” and the similar games played to keep the revenue flowing. Shane Mosley is our resident politician, and like Mitt Romney he always seems to deftly play all sides to his singular benefit. After performances vs. Mayweather and Pacquiao that should ideally end a fighter’s career in the upper tax brackets. Mosley (in broad daylight) once again scored a political coup by landing a role as “road kill” for Canelo Alvarez. Golden Boy, like our Government is not really there to improve Boxing per se they just want to monopolize and re-brand it in their image with Mosley being a valuable tool in that process. How else can they trot him out in front of a Boxing audience with a straight face if it weren’t to fulfill some larger agenda? “Only in Politics do people root for bad things to happen…” – President Barack Obama
The War Profiteer Without war there just may be an opportunity for the underclass to rise economically through investment, and we can’t have that, can we. Boxing’s “war” between Top Rank and Golden Boy is for the benefit of few and Shane Mosley is one of those “few.” Two years ago, after a decade of making great money (by boxing standards), Mosley entered the Wildcard gym with lawyer in tow to circumvent what he believed to be GBP’s inability to secure him a match with Manny Pacquiao. This (in Mosley’s mind) was GBP’s fiduciary duty, despite Floyd Mayweather and Sergio Mora illustrating the end of his athletic mortality for the entire world to see. GBP, in their blind ambition to get Pacquiao knocked off rightly (See Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3), pushed to get Marquez his third shot at the legend. And like any governmental agency cried foul (while silently nodding approval) for Mosley to cross the street. Mosley, a partner in GBP took this as an opportunity to announce himself a “free agent.. In other words, if you and I start a record label and you happen to rap, it should be assumed you record for the label exclusively, right? Not so in Boxing, not so when there’s an ex-wife with tiger blood and (as the kids like to say) a “dime piece” (Bella Gonzalez) currently wearing your chain. Mosley, like any great politician built enough goodwill to survive consecutive losses to several fighters (Wright, Forrest) and a damned clear-cut admission of EPO use-could Floyd Mayweather politically survive two loses and an admission of Red bull? Ever notice Mayweather is more passionate about Pacquiao’s imaginary PED’s than Shane’s real ones? Is it because Shane is a partner in the outfit who really promotes Floyds fights? Mosley was believable as the victim, the discarded fighter done wrong by his own “partners,” if proven to be a “free agent” Arum would make the Pacquiao fight, Don King would have legally wrapped electrical tape around the bout but “bitter” GBP just brushed it off. Beaten badly by both men, Shane seemed to maintain relevance despite never being a huge draw, maybe his functionality as a resident “name” to both promoters is considered an essential service. Maybe being available as an opponent for Top Rank and Golden Boy to manufacture fights that keep the public from ever seeing Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is important and lucrative. His marketability is irrelevant because he allows the shadow government in boxing to stay in your pockets with Mayweather and Pacquiao as dual entities, neither one of them want to share money for your sake. Consolidation is king in other industries, but separation of PPV draws keep Boxing running on schedule. I just don’t believe Schaeffer and De La Hoya were that broken up about Shane’s so called “departure” last year. In fact I believe it was staged – like Trump’s endorsement of Mitt Romney with better acting. “Canelo” Alvarez is the new straw man who by thumping Mosley around will be touted as credible for Mayweather’s newly minted 154 lbs. crown. Mosley (for his “trouble”) will be well-compensated for helping a young lion in a division of young lions side-step James Kirkland on his way to a big money fight with Mayweather. The Conspiracy theorist in me would not be surprised if he is already in line for Miguel Cotto as further reward for being the consummate insider. Soon, Mosley will stand in front of Mexican fans, flash that smile and (as instructed) tell the fan base (who would love to see one of their own beat him) he’s going to knock out the new Golden Boy in training. Like so much political magic the comments will light a fire under the biggest economic “base” in Boxing, just in case you think Mayweather vs. Cotto isn’t worth your hard-earned money. Shane Mosley may not be the obnoxious blowhard Mayweather is but he’s a promoter and he’s learned that his number one priority is to oversell a product. The split with Golden Boy was oversold, he wasn’t going to sign with Top Rank and he was always going to return “home.” Do you know how many once prominent “names” line up to take these high paid beatings? Most of them, but Mosley seems to get all of the calls from 147-154 lbs; it must be nice. Take a long look at any podium in big fight press conferences and you’ll see a lineup of the same people with the same handlers and promoters – it’s political theater at its finest. Just as everyone wants us to believe in Republican/Democrat “beef” Boxing has a way of convincing you they aren’t secretly on the same side. Shane Mosley in his dotage is exhibit A to the harsh reality that the only two games in town do collude with one another to protect assets. This political “game” Mayweather (despite his earnings) won’t be able to play once he’s 40 and can’t fight. Unlike Shane he didn’t establish the citizenship and connections to warrant keeping him around, too many bridges burned.
Thirty-thousand turn out for Mosley-Alvarez in Mexico City! While the headliner Floyd Mayweather is logging 5 minute rounds in the gym with Omar Henry Shane Mosley was on the campaign trail in Mexico City. In a unique brand of promotion GBP is fully aware that the red-headed Mexican phenom (Alvarez) is ALREADY an idol in his native country. That kind of turn out pretty much assures this PPV will be a HUGE money maker, Mosley’s complicity makes this possible whereby a James Kirkland would derail that Brinks truck on free TV – and it wouldn’t be pretty. This little bit of corporate sorcery gets even more tricky; Mayweather will claim the total PPV buy number as his own, harden on his comical financial demands of Pacquiao thus opening the door for a clash with Canelo. Bob Arum won’t cry, Cotto will quietly re-sign with Top Rank and Mosley (predictably) will have another “blow-up” with GBP. Hmmm, I wonder why? Favors are made and collected upon by sworn enemies all of the time in politics, and Mosley will get a Cotto fight before anybody else is considered. By keeping Arum’s #1 earner free from “Mayweather talk” for another year Shane will get the reward of Top Rank’s number 2 “earner.” He’ll get it because he’s one of them, he’ll get it because he’s one of the few names in Boxing that makes sense (to the uninformed) scrolling across that ESPN sports ticker; and he’ll get it because he knows how to maintain the farce of credibility and survive – AND MORE POWER TO HIM.
