Shane Mosley: “Even Filipinos want me to knock out Manny Pacquiao”

The MGM Grand hotel lobby was alive as the week opened for Mosley v Pacquiao, a comic poster portraying the two men like latter-day superheroes. There is more than a hint of a Bruce Lee look about Manny Pacquiao in the fight billboard. Hair basic cut, parted at the front, chin down, brow lowered, eyes forward. Mosley’s depiction holds your gaze, almost with a sneer. In real life, the real Mosley smiles every five seconds.

This contest was not greeted to universal acclaim by boxing fans when it was first announced, but as the weeks have gone by, so it has gathered momentum. It is now a full-on superfight.

The throng for the Grand Arrival is often a litmus test for the size and momentum of a super-fight. This was as busy as I have ever seen it, and that includes the Hatton hordes, wild and woolly, who came in for his defeats here to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Most of the support is here for the fighting phenomenon from The Philippines, Congressman Manny Pacquiao. Yet ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley has some support himself. He remains, after all, a nailed-down future American Hall of Famer, and three-weight world champion.

Along with Floyd Mayweather (inactive now in the rankings), and Bernard Hopkins, Mosley forms a triumvirate of American boxing legends. It is a long drop beneath the trio to find fighters as well-known or revered, who are active in the United States. Mosley has always been a fan favourite. And globally, at that. He has a grin like a cat who got the milk, and a gentle, suave manner. He is one of boxing few modern gentlemen, who genuinely does his talking inside the ropes, and not outside them. What he says outside, is careful, and considered.

Indeed, as a man’s bearing goes, the two fighters in this weekend’s super-fight at the MGM Grand are not dissimilar. It is Good Guy v Good Guy. Pure boxers. Both God-fearing men, and proud of it.

As a result, there are even Filipinos rooting for Mosley. Unthinkable for many from those islands, but according to Mosley, he has had messages of support from pinoys.

“There’s a lot of fans that are going for me, too, and are rooting for me,” he said with bemusement. “Fans from all around the world, even some Filipino fans, and that’s shocking.” Up close, Mosley spoke with five newsmen yesterday in a private session. Sitting close to him, he came across as mentally at peace. He loves the underdog status, as it has brought the best out of him before when he was perceived as such against Oscar de la Hoya and Antonio Margarito. At his best, Mosley paints pictures with his footwork and fists, truly an artist.

Nor will Mosley underestimate Pacquiao, who is often described as a small welterweight. “I think the misperception is that Manny Pacquiao is a little guy,” Mosley said. “In actuality, he fights at welterweight, he makes his weight and he carries all his weight in his legs. I believe at this point he’s a full-fledged welterweight. He’s done things to build himself up into a welterweight.”

Nor does his trainer, Naazim Richardson, buy the theory. “He’s a full-fledged welterweight. Calling him a small welterweight is like calling David Tua or Mike Tyson a small heavyweight. They’re confusing being small with being short. A fire hydrant is short, but it’s strong as hell. Manny has almost bamboozled the world with this. ‘He’s only 2 inches tall and weighs 32 ounces.’ He says it to you a million times: ‘He’s bigger than me, he’s bigger than me,’ and everyone starts to bite on it.”

When asked what weaknesses Pacquiao may have, Mosley takes some time to answer. “You always see advantages you can have over another fighter. One of my main advantages is my experience, knowing I’ve faced a lot of different styles in my career. I know how to mix my shots up and get the job done. I don’t think he’s been in the ring with guys like that.” On Saturday night, we’ll find out.

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk