Sunday, May 31, 2009

Manny Pacquiao doesn't need Floyd Mayweather, but what about Shane Mosley?

To this corner, Manny Pacquiao is in the driver's seat. He's on top, he should dictate terms. He is wildly popular at home and in the States. If he fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Sugar Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto, it's big business.

Let's try to make some sense of all the talk, internet posts and news reports.

1. Manny Pacquiao wants to fight again in October. We suggested here that Pacquiao should fight that bout in the Philippines. One thing for certain, Mayweather -- win or lose in July -- won't be ready to fight Pac Man in October.

2. Making a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight even more difficult to happen is PBF's demand that he get a 60-40 split. Bob Arum told the Philippine Star, “You can tell Floyd Mayweather that Bob Arum said he’s delusional... Floyd is not the attraction. Manny is the attraction. Floyd’s got no idea what he’s talking about... Even a 50/50 split with Floyd Mayweather is nonsense.”

OK, moving right along.

3. A Miguel Cotto (should he get by Joshua Clottey) and Pac Man fight is very intriguing. They are both promoted by Arum so there would be few obstacles. When you add the Latino market to the PPV audience, numbers should jump. The catch here is that Cotto has already intimated he's not too interested in fighting at a catch weight of say, 144. Remember, he was more than happy to leave 140 and stop sucking weight, so why go back? Well, money will do that to you.

4. Now enter Sugar Shane Mosley. Dan Rafael quoted Sugar Shane on ESPN.com as saying,
"I want it to be known that I want to fight Pacquiao and I want to fight him now," Mosley said. "I'm willing to meet at a catch weight to make that happen. I know this is what [Pacquiao trainer] Freddie Roach wants as well, as he has previously stated this to press. I am the best fighter in boxing and I am ready to reclaim the title of No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter."

The bottom line is that Mosley needs either Mayweather or Pac Man. Yes, the obvious fight is Pac Man vs. Mayweather. But how many times has the obvious fight not been made? Too many. Mosley has also attempted to bait Mayweather into a fight, but PBF has never seemed interested in fighting Shane. Why is that?

Which leads us to ... October 17, 2009, Manila, Manny Pacquiao vs. Sugar Shane Mosley.

Neither of these guys are ever in a dull fight. Please, someone make it happen.

Source: http://weblogs.newsday.com