Shane Mosley"Gives Up"On Pacquiao Bout,Will NowTarget Williams, Berto,Cintron,Clottey

Mike Mesey · 07-07-2009, 12:57 PM

by James Slater - At one point it looked as though the great "Sugar" Shane Mosley would get the fight he craved with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Showing how much he wanted the fight, 37-year-old welterweight champ Mosley was willing to come in at a weight that suited "Pac-Man" and he was also willing to take the lesser share of the fight purse.

But now, with Pacquiao seemingly disinterested in facing Mosley - for the time being at least, with Manny looking all but sure to face Miguel Cotto next, in November - Shane has told Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer to stop attempting to make the fight. This news has been revealed by The Los Angeles Times, and the publication has reported how Mosley will now look to get a fight with either Paul Williams, Andre Berto, Kermit Cintron or Joshua Clottey..

"Shane says he'll be the last man standing, anyway," Schaefer said. "Shane's legacy is intact, and it's not dependant on a Pacquiao yes or no."

It's true that Mosley's place in boxing history is reasonably secure at the very least (despite the losses he suffered at the hands of Winky Wright and Vernon Forrest), but a win over Pacquiao really would have cemented his all-time status. Still, Mosley tried his best to land the fight, so what more can he do? And what a classic it would surely have been - better than the still possible/more likely Pacquiao-Mayweather Junior clash? Maybe.

But Mosley looks and sees that Pacquiao is heading towards a showdown with Cotto next, and he knows he can't wait around forever (he will, after all, turn 38 in September). The other four guys mentioned in The Times article as prospective opponents for "Sugar" are a talented enough bunch, at least - with the gifted Williams being the most interesting possibility for Mosley to take on. Could Mosley get inside the freakishly long reach of "The Punisher?" Or would the man who smashed Antonio Margarito to an inside the distance defeat meet a similar fate to the one Winky Wright met when he fought Williams?

Though he is not looking for "easier" fights, the talked of bout against WBC 147-pound champ Berto probably makes most sense for Mosley. No disrespect to Berto, but unless he's faded badly since his great January win, Mosley would likely beat the WBC champ somewhat handily. As for Cintron and Clottey, Mosley would surely be made favourite over those two top quality operators also.

The Williams fight intrigues the most, but it is also the most dangerous match of the four for Mosley to take. However, as he's shown in the past, that's how "Sugar" likes it.

Mike Mesey · 07-07-2009, 12:58 PM

Im hoping for the Cintron fight personally although i doubt it will ever happen.

Khan-age! · 07-07-2009, 01:19 PM

I'd like to see a fight against Cintron too. Berto would be a walkover.. Clottey fight would be interesting but eh, I don't know if I want to see Mosley face Williams just yet. I can't see a tougher test out there for Mosley.

Mike Mesey · 07-07-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan-age!

I'd like to see a fight against Cintron too. Berto would be a walkover.. Clottey fight would be interesting but eh, I don't know if I want to see Mosley face Williams just yet. I can't see a tougher test out there for Mosley.

I would like to see the Berto fight strictly for the hand speed,a lot of punches would be thrown however,yes,Sugar would easily win.

gunranger2 · 07-07-2009, 01:22 PM

If he's willing I hope P will pauses the Driz fight for this. Doubt it though. Arum already said he wanted Clottey-Mosley so it looks the most likely.

deadpool · 07-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Would love to see any of those fights. Williams would be the toughest by far though.

heavyarms21 · 07-07-2009, 01:48 PM

I would like to see Mosley vs Clottey, I like Clottey and this may be the fight where he finally overcomes his hard luck and keeps fighting for 12 rounds. I think Williams should stay at middleweight and look to go after the bigger names there or test the waters at 168 where there are a number of intriguing match ups for him. As for Berto , shane would kill him.

5acrossYOeye · 07-07-2009, 02:05 PM

SSM vs Cintron= Cintron leaves crying.
SSM vs Clottey= Clottey gets injured OR fades late like always.
SSM vs Berto= Fireworks! I've got Sugar.
SSM vs Willams= The end of the Sugar era.

cottagecheesefan · 07-07-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5acrossYOeye

SSM vs Cintron= Cintron leaves crying.
SSM vs Clottey= Clottey gets injured OR fades late like always.
SSM vs Berto= Fireworks! I've got Sugar.
SSM vs Willams= The end of the Sugar era.

agreed with all that. Berto and cintron would be easy for mosley.

Lazy Man · 07-07-2009, 02:23 PM

I think I agree with those as well