By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
It's the biggest fight of the near-midway point of 2010, one which Golden Boy Promotions' CEO, Richard Schaefer, believes will eclipse HBO's all-time pay per view records.
Unbeaten, 33-year-old Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) will put his unscathed mark on the line against 38-year-old, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), whose WBA welterweight (147 pounds) title will not be on the line.
Their clash, slated for Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is considered, by some to be too close to call as it matches two of the sport's premiere athletes as well as Mayweather's speed, accuracy, cleverness and defensive wizardry against Mosley's speed, power, and aggression.
There is, it must be noted, a rematch clause in place in the event that Mayweather loses. FanHouse sought the opinion of its panel of boxing experts to sort it all out, but, of course, nothing is final, until the fighters either settle it in the ring inside of the distance, or, the final bell tolls ending the 12th round.
Bob Canobbio, CompuBox, Inc.
Floyd Mayweather W 12 Shane Mosley: Mosley will have to take chances to win this fight, which means taking the fight to the coutner-punching Mayweather. But that's exactly the kind of fight that Floyd wants.
Mosley cannot win this fight on the outside. Mosley needs to pressure Floyd, attempt to trap him on the ropes, and, score with combination punches. But that's not likely: Father Time is not on Mosley's side, and who plays better 'D' than Floyd?
Scott Crouse, Co-Host of Ballroom Boxing Report, Baltimore's ESPN Radio 1300AM
Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Shane Mosley: In boxing, the tendency is to put too much emphasis on a fighter's most recent fight, rather than the consistency of a fighter's career. Certainly, Shane Mosley's most recent fight was spectacular, as he knocked out Antonio Margarito in nine rounds.
But as great as Mosley looked in that fight, he looked equally unspectacular in his previous fight against Ricardo Mayorga until he put him away with only seconds remaining in the fight. Before that, Mosley lost a close decision to Miguel Cotto, who outboxed Mosley over the final rounds to get the win.
On the other hand, Floyd Mayweather has been the model of consistency. He is not only undefeated, but has rarely experienced a serious challenge. Part of that is due to Mayweather's selection of opponents, but much of it is due to the fact that he's a great fighter.
Mayweather is a master craftsman who applies his trade with the highest of artistic excellence. Mayweather has the faster hands, sharper reflexes, better defense, and appears to be in the prime of his career. That's in contrast to the 38-year-old Mosley.
Mayweather will make Mosley miss his power shots and counter him with accurate punches that won't necessarily hurt Shane, but will keep him off balance, wary, and frustrated. On paper, Mosley represents the most difficult challenge Mayweather has ever faced.
Mosley is determined and wants to prove that he, not Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, is the best fighter in the world. Mosley proved in his last fight against Margarito that he's still capable of winning big fights in sensational and exciting fashion.
But I'm picking the less exciting, yet, consistently great fighter -- Floyd Mayweather by unanimous decision.
Steve Farhood, Showtime Boxing Analyst
Floyd Mayweather W 12 Shane Mosley: I like Mayweather on points, and fairly convincingly. We consistently put too much emphasis on a fighter's most recent performance.
Mosley looked excellent against Margarito, but I tend to look back at Madison Square Garden, when Miguel Cotto out boxed Sugar Shane during extended portions of their fight. Mayweather is faster and much better defensively than Cotto. So the pick is Mayweather, W 12.
Norm Frauenheim, 15rounds.com
Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Shane Mosley: Floyd Mayweather Jr. wins a unanimous decision. Timing, timing, timing. On a couple of levels, it represents the difference. Mayweather has it; Shane Mosley doesn't.
Mayweather is more precise with his punches than anybody in this generation and a few other generations. Mayweather worked on that precision with some timely target practice against Juan Manuel Marquez last September.
Mosley has only been idle since his brilliant dismantling of Antonio Margarito in January, 2009, or more than 15 months ago.
Mosley, like Oscar de la Hoya before him, enters the ring as a part-time fighter, which makes him vulnerable -- especially against Mayweather's clever array of skill. Mosley promises a knockout, and tat's his best chance. But luck will have to be with him, because Mayweather doesn't figure to be there.
Mayweather's never been a target for anybody. Dormant instincts might come alive in the later rounds. By then, however, it will be too late for Mosley to overcome the early precision that will result in an insurmountable lead on the scorecards for Mayweather.
Lee Harris, Co-Host of 'In The Corner' Boxing Podcast
Shane Mosley UD 12 Floyd Mayweather: This is a very interesting fight. I can envision many scenarios where either guy could win, and this fight seems like one that will come down to the wire. They are close to the same size, have similar hand speed, and both are master technicians with ridiculously high boxing IQ's.
Floyd has the five-year age advantage at 33, and has fought more recently, while Shane, who is 38, has the power edge and has fought the tougher opposition. I see Floyd winning a few rounds early on, with defense and by staying on the outside while giving ground to Shane's aggression and pressure.
At some point in the middle rounds, Floyd will be forced to stand his ground, which will play into Shane's strength. Once Floyd has been hit cleanly by some of Shane's power punches, I think the momentum will switch to Shane, and it will be Shane's ring generalship and effective, accurate, punches that carry the day.
At welterweight, Floyd has not faced anyone of Shane's caliber. In fact, Floyd hasn't even fought against a true welterweight for over three years now. In a close fight like this, it usually comes down to intangibes such as hunger and desire, where I give Shane the edge.
Floyd fights for money; Shane fights for legacy and history, and I believe that Shane wants it more than Floyd does. I like Mosley by close, well-deserved, unanimous decision. I'll go with seven to five in rounds, or 115-113 across the board on the scorecards.
Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports Boxing
Floyd Mayweather W 12 Shane Mosley: Mayweather is far faster and quicker and is extremely aware defensively. He'll be able to see everything coming, and he'll avoid trouble.
Mayweather's jab will also be a big factor. Mosley tends to throw wide shots, and Mayweather's fast, straight jab will make a significant impact upon this fight. I like Mayweather to win big.
Kiernan Mulvaney, ESPN Boxing and Reuters
Floyd Mayweather W 12 Shane Mosley: I have gone back and forth on this pick over and over again. For a long time, I have thought that Shane Mosley has the best chance of anyone to beat Floyd Mayweather.
Styles make fights, and this is the first time Floyd will have fought anyone who is simultaneously as big as him, busier than him, stronger than him, and very nearly as fast as him.
I can very easily picture a scenario where Shane is just too busy, keeps Floyd backed into corners and against the ropes, and simply outworks him. And yet, for me, the key to the fight is Shane's left hand.
If Shane throws a strong jab, and a solid hook off that jab, and he does it consistently, he can keep Floyd in front of him. And if Shane can do THAT, he can win the fight. But all too often, Shane just flicks that left hand, maybe two, three times in succession.
That won't be enough to keep Floyd honest, and it will also act as a 'tell,' and let Floyd know that the big right hand is coming. If Shane fights like that, Floyd is going to slide to his right (Shane's left) and counter him over that lazy left jab all night long.
I can see Shane starting off faster and busier, and Floyd taking time to figure him out and to time him. But although I am sorely tempted to pick Mosley, I can't quite pull the trigger. I'm going with Mayweather doing just enough down the stretch to pull out a decision victory.
Lance Pugmire, The Los Angeles Times
Floyd Mayweatehr W 12 Shane Mosley: Mayweather will win the fight by decision. There is great intrigue regarding how Mosley will bring the fight to Floyd.
But I don't believe he'll be able to get to him often enough to account for the blows Mayweather will subject him to throughout the course of 12 rounds.
Rick Reeno, BoxingScene.com
Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Shane Mosley: I see Mayweather playing it safe by creating distance throughout the fight, picking his spots, and winning a 12 round round unanimous decision.
Mosley will have his moments, but I don't think he's fast enough to prevent Mayweather from using his his legs.
Joe Santoliquito, Managing Editor for Ring Magazine
Shane Mosley W 12 Floyd Mayweather: This is a bit of a reach, I know, but I do believe Shane still has that one great fight left in him. I do know, for a fact, that Naazim Richardson, Shane's trainer, has devised a strategy through the years to beat Floyd Mayweather. But it will be up to Shane to implement it.
The one constant we all know about boxing is that no one is unbeatable, even 'Money' Mayweather. If there is a chink to be found in Mayweather's considerable armory, Richardson will probe and find it. Shane will be fighting with a greater sense of urgency.
I also believe Mosley has the kind of speed and firepower that could rattle Mayweather a few times. We'll find Floyd is more valiant than a lot of observers give him credit for beiing, and that Shane Mosley still has some fuel left in his 38-year-old tank.
Michael David Smith, FanHouse.com
Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Shane Mosley: I'm trying to find a reason to pick Shane Mosley here, and I just can't. At the age of 38, Mosley is still among the sport's elite athletes.
But Mayweather is on a completely different level. I like Mayweather to win a one-sided, unanimous decision.
Tim Smith, New York Daily News
Floyd Mayweather W 12 Shane Mosley: This is a tough call because both Mayweather and Mosley possess tremendous boxing skills. But Mayweather is probably one of the best defensive fighters since Pernell Whitaker.
Mayweather also has uncanny timing, which hasn't failed him yet. When you look at his fights against Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, Juan Manuel Marquez and the young Jose Luis Castillo, you can see what I'm talking about.
But Mosley's power and speed will force Mayweather to take his game to a higher level and he will. The pick is Mayweather by decision.
The Experts have it 10-2 for Floyd Mayweather. Look for more FanHouse analysis later this week.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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