Manny made it again outshines Shane throughout the fight

Manny Pacquiao efficiently defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title by way of outpointing Shane Mosley in their 12 rounds battle in Las Vegas, Nevada today (Philippine time). Judges perceived the fight 119-108, 120-108 and 120-107 in favor of the 8-division champion from the Philippines. Presently, Pacquiao now has an all-time record of 53 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws. Mosley, who triumphed in a number of world titles over 3 weight classes, gone down to 46 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw. Mosley has been sensitive from the beginning, switching backwards and somewhat reluctant to engage Pacquiao. A clever choice, simply because a left hook from Pacquiao have found its mark just seconds left during the 3rd round that makes Mosley kissed the canvas only for the third time in his 18-year professional career.


Pacquiao pushed the duel throughout the fight night, but he too appeared disinclined of taking quite a few odds, which trainer Freddie Roach claimed was due to the muscle cramp that their corner attempted to massage in between rounds. "He had no leverage to move after that," Roach explained. "It was a very gutty performance in my mind."

Maybe, yet the sellout crowd of 16,412 expect to see more, and booed continuously in the later rounds. The boos appeared to be aimed on Mosley, not Pacquiao, nevertheless it was obvious in the beginning this might definitely not wind up being a classic fight.

Mosley fought just as if working to safeguard his legacy of having never been knocked out and, if it was his strategy, it prevailed. However it suitable for a lackluster fight and therefore didn't do anything that will burnish the legacy that the Filipino champion seems to have crafted by having 14 straight victories throughout the last 6 years - which includes a number of some of the most well known or biggest names in the sport of boxing. Manny Pacquiao earned a minimum of $20 million with regards to the fight, excluding share on Pay-Per-View in which he's also expected to pocket millions, while Shane Mosley was assured of $5 million.

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:13:00 05/05/2011

LAS VEGAS—A decade ago, Manny Pacquiao was in the same position where Shane Mosley is in now—underdog.

Pacquiao was even given little chance of pulling off a shocker against Lehlo Ledwaba, when they tangled for the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao, who accepted the fight as a substitute for Enrique Sanchez in just two weeks’ notice, was listed a 20 to 1 underdog in his first fight in the United States

But Pacquiao, unfazed by Ledwaba's reputation, came out swinging and eventually stopped Ledwaba in the sixth round.

Mosley, who's aiming for the Filipino's World Boxing Organization 147-pound crown, is given odds of from 6 to 1 up to 8-1, to stun Pacquiao when they clash on May 7.

Unlike Pacquiao, however, Mosley had nine weeks to whip his 39-year-old body back into tip-top shape.

Having been there, Pacquiao knows the raging feeling going through Mosley's mind.

“Exactly that’s what I mean, Mosley is not an easy opponent," Pacquiao said during the final press conference for the Pacquiao-Mosley showdown on May7. “He’s the kind of fighter whom you can’t underestimate.”

Pacquio sees the Mosley who beat Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 and in 2003 and stopped Antonio Margarito in 2009, not the Mosley beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and salvaged a draw against Sergio Mora in 2010.

Asked about his failure to knock Margarito out, Pacquiao said it was useless going after it (as he had victory in the bag).

Pacquiao, however, reiterated that he still had a killer instinct.

Although he always appeared friendly to his opponents, Pacquiao admitted that he got angry with De La Hoya after the former Golden Boy of boxing sent him signed gloves, before their collision in 2008, with the inscription: I’m gonna knock you out.’’

The opposite, of course, happened with Pacquiao making De La Hoya, who was also a big favorite, quit on his stool and eventually retire in 2008.

Pacquiao also reiterated his desire to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. or anybody put in front of him by his promoter (Bob Arum) as long as there's no problem in negotiation and promotion.

Mayweather Jr., asked about the Pacquiao-Mosley fight, said he would not mind losing the millions intended for him if Shane Mosley won against Manny Pacquiao.

“I want Shane to win,” Mayweather told FightHype.com on Tuesday. “Everybody says, `Well, if Shane wins, what about your money? `I don't worry about that. I get things outside the ring that I'm generating major income from.”

Of course, Mayweather is also saddled by court suits and tax problems from the Internal Revenue Service.

Although he's been scratched off the pound for pound list due to a year of inactivity, Mayweather hasn't expressed any desire to return to the ring.

Especially against Pacquiao, whom he chided for fighting his leftovers—Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Mosley.

Pacquiao, however, was more impressive in his domination of De La Hoya and two-round knockout of Hatton.

While Mayweather was a clear winner over Juan Manuel Marquez, the flamboyant American checked in two pounds over the contracted weight of 144 pounds.

Mayweather, who got rocked by Mosley in the second round before using his defense and counterpunching skills to hack out a unanimous decision victory offered Mosley an advice on how to deal with Pacquiao, who supplanted him as pound-for-pound king.

“I would go back to the old Shane, so he can be on an even playing field.”

Sort of admitting, that Mosley is in for an uphill battle against Pacquiao.

According to the ever-proud Mayweather, he won't watch Pacquiao-Mosley, even on pay-per-view.

May 7th, 2011
Posted in Latest News

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao weighed in just two pounds lighter than American Shane Mosley after the Filipino was welcomed by deafening cheers from his supporters on the eve of Saturday's WBO welterweight title fight.

Pacquiao, 52-3-2 (38 knockouts), tipped the scales at 145 pounds in front of a boisterous crowd of about 6,500 at the MGM Grand Hotel's Garden Arena.

Mosley, 46-6-1 (39 KOs), was weighed first and was right on the 147-pound limit for the scheduled 12-round bout.

The two fighters were all smiles as they posed for the photographers for their pre-fight pictures and they embraced one another once that task was done.

"I am just so excited to be in this fight," Mosley, a 39-year-old veteran who is a three-division world champion, said on the stage. "The whole world is watching. It should be great."

Pacquiao, a 10-times world champion in a record eight weight divisions, is a 6-1 favorite to win but he has taken great pains not to underestimate his American challenger.

"I believe that Shane Mosley is a strong fighter, a good fighter," the 32-year-old Filipino said. "He has trained hard for this fight so I have to train hard and focus on this fight."

Pacquiao and Mosley are renowned for being ideal boxing ambassadors and have refused to indulge in any of the pre-bout trash-talking so common in the sport.

NO TRASH TALKING   

"This is a good example for the boxing fans and for all the fighters," Pacquiao told reporters earlier this week.

"The fight will be happy and a good example for the children who are idolizing the fighters, especially Mosley and me."

The atmosphere was electric as the two fighters made their way on to a raised stage for Friday's televised weigh-in where former boxing great Roberto Duran and Britain's WBA world light welterweight champion Amir Khan were among those attending.

Shouts of "Manny, Manny" rang out before the tracksuit-clad boxers finally emerged, Pacquiao and Mosley each smiling and waving to the fans before stepping on to the scales.

There were also friendly boos for Mosley who, despite being born in nearby Pomona, California, had a much smaller number of supporters in the arena.

Pacquiao is fighting for the first time since he recorded a ruthless points victory over Mexican Antonio Margarito in November for his eighth world title in an unprecedented eight weight class.

Mosley has not competed in the ring since his draw with Sergio Mora in September.

Pacquiao, already acknowledged as one of the best offensive fighters of all time, is guaranteed $20 million from Saturday's bout while Mosley will earn a minimum $5 million.