Sugar Shane believes blockbuster fight is a ‘go’
THERE are a lot of doubters, but a few like future Hall of Fame boxer “Sugar” Shane Mosley believes the projected blockbuster fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will happen.
This despite the fact that no significant developments or inroads have been made since Mayweather announced that he wants to face Pacquiao on May 2 in Las Vegas.
Though Pacquiao readily agreed, nothing has since been heard from the Mayweather camp.
Mosley, a former three-division world champion before he retired in 2013, told BoxingScene on Monday that he thinks the unbeaten Mayweather was serious when he called out the Fighter of the Decade early this month.
According to Mosley, who has fought and lost to both Mayweather and Pacquiao in 2010 and 2011, respectively, Mayweather intends to hang up his gloves after two more fights, and, naturally, will look for the most lucrative bouts available.
“I think the best fight would be Mayweather versus Pacquiao and I think that is the fight Floyd would be looking for,” Mosley said. “That is the biggest money fight and the fight the fans want to see once and for all, and I think that fight is going to happen.”
Interviewed by ABS-CBN, Pacquiao said he’ll be waiting for the progress of the negotiation early next year, insisting that he’d sign the fight contract right away if Mayweather gives his nod.
Unlike Mosley, who was knocked down by Pacquiao in the third round en route to a lopsided unanimous decision in 2011 and was also beaten by unanimous decision by Mayweather, Boxing Writers Association of America six-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach has turned skeptical.
Roach said on Friday he is still unsure if Mayweather is really willing to face Pacquiao, considering that his prized ward has agreed to let Mayweather dictate the terms of the fight expected to shatter all-time attendance, gate receipts and pay-per-view records. All Mayweather needs to do is sign the contract and the fight is on.