By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
What the fight game predicts: Floyd Mayweather v Shane Mosley
David Haye, the WBA heavyweight champion, said: “Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley are my two favourite modern day warriors, who I’ve studied in-depth over the years. Both fighters are guaranteed to go down in history as ‘greats’ as they’ve fought and beaten great World Champions in many different weight divisions. This fight will be a very tense and competitive contest from the start, similar to the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, but the difference I feel will be that Mosley will push hard down the final straight.”
“This fight can go either way, but I edge towards Mosley. If there’s anyone on the planet with the tools and experience to beat the pound-for-pound King Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Sugar Shane Mosley will be the man.”
Barry McGuigan: “I expect this to go to the cards in overwhelming favour of Mayweather, but as ever with him, it is in his hands. He could let that left hook of his go early and stop it. That is his signature shot.”
“I have yet to see him (Mayweather) hurt, knocked down or whatever. On the other hand I see Sugar Shane Mosley as a guy who could penetrate his impeccable defense. I had a premonition the other night and I saw a knockout by someone. I am not a guru, I am not a psychic, but I did see a knockout.”
“I give the edge to Mayweather. How can I not based on his unblemished record? Mayweather is the man to beat and if there were any fighters that I thought had a chance to beat Floyd Mayweather, one would be Shane Mosley. We will find out on May 1st. One thing I personally know is that Shane has to become “Sugar” again to become victorious. Intriguing fight.”
- Sugar Ray Leonard, Seven-Time World Champion
“This fight will be a real welterweight contest. Mosley can win if he is capable of closing Floyd’s [Mayweather] exits and using his speed along with his power.”
- Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, WBA, WBO and The Ring Magazine Lightweight World Champion
“I’m for Shane Mosley…He must do the right preparation. If he does, then he has a very good chance against Mayweather.”
- Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, WBO Welterweight World Champion
“I think it’s a 50-50 fight. It’s the most dangerous fight Mayweather has ever had. Mosley could upset him, but I think it will be close.”
- Joe “The Pride of Wales” Calzaghe, former WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion
“Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley are my two favorite modern day warriors, who I’ve studied in-depth over the years. Both fighters are guaranteed to go down in history as ‘Greats’ as they’ve fought and beaten great World Champions in many different weight divisions. This fight will be a very tense and competitive contest from the start, similar to the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, but the difference I feel will be that Mosley will push hard down the final straight. This fight can go either way, but I edge towards Mosley. If there’s anyone on the planet with the tools and experience to beat the pound-for-pound King Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Sugar Shane Mosley will be the man.”
- David “The Haymaker” Haye, WBA Heavyweight World Champion, former Unified WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Champion
“I think it’s going to be a good fight, but it’s a pick’em fight for me. I don’t know. They both have a chance.”
- Ronald “Winky” Wright, former Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion
“I think its going to be a great fight. I’m picking Mosley in the early rounds but in the end, Mayweather will take the decision.”
- Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, former Unified WBA, IBF and Lightweight World Champion
“I believe Shane will impose his strength and speed in the early rounds, but after the first few rounds Floyd will adapt and figure Shane out, and start picking his shots as the fight goes on and Shane starts to slow down. Mayweather will win by decision.”
- Andre “The Beast” Berto, WBC Welterweight Champion
“I want Mosley to win but I think by the 6th round Mayweather’s talent will start taking over anything Mosley has to offer. Mayweather wins a unanimous decision in a typical Mayweather fight.”
- Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, former WBC Junior Middleweight Worldd Champion
“It will be a very competitive fight. Mosley will press the action, but Mayweather will use his defense to out-box him. Many people want Mayweather to lose because of his personality, but no one can take it away from Mayweather that he is, pound for pound, one of the best fighters in history. It will be close, but Mayweather will win.”
- Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, WBC Junior Middleweight World Champion and WBC and WBO Middleweight World Champion
“It’s a close fight to call, but I pick Floyd in a competitive fight. He’s had the ability to get up for the biggest moments of his career and this will be no different.”
- Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, NABO Junior Welterweight Champion and former IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion
“I believe Mosley is going to get the victory. Shane has the talent and skills to beat Mayweather.”
- Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, WBC Youth Welterweight World Champion
“I strongly believe Floyd has a lot of talent, but Mosley is so strong and still has a lot of speed, so it will not be a surprise if he wins.”
- Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez, former Three-Time World Champion
“I’m picking Mayweather by decision, but he won’t knock Mosley out.”
- Fernando “The Aztec Warrior” Vargas, former WBA and IBF Junior Middleweight Champion
“I think Mayweather is going to win by close decision, but I’m pulling for Mosley.”
- Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez, Junior Lightweight contender
“It’s going to come down to whoever’s got the best strategy. That’s the guy who will take the other guy out. Mosley’s bigger, but has good speed. We’ll see how Shane is going to press Floyd, and how Floyd is going to press Shane. How they adapt to each other is going to be the difference. Shane is definitely Floyd’s biggest test. I couldn’t tell you who’d win. I’d pick it a draw. I really don’t care who wins, but I want the winner either way.”
- Paul “The Punisher” Williams, former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion
TRAINERS
“Shane’s my friend and I hope he wins, but he has trouble with speed and movement and likes guys to come to him so it’s going to be difficult.”
- Freddie Roach, Trainer of Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan
“This is a very interesting fight. Mayweather will have his toughest fight yet against Mosley, who came up the ranks and fought every tough Mexican. When Mayweather covers up and brings his right hand up, Mosley is going to hit him with left hooks to the liver. He’ll go under the elbow. This is a tough, tough fight, and a great fight. I’m looking forward to it. Mayweather is going to really have to hustle because Mosley is at the top of this game. Mayweather has to fight his best fight ever, because Mosley’s stronger, more mature than anyone Mayweather has ever faced. While Mayweather is truly a one of a kind fighter, I would have to give the edge to Mosley by decision.”
- Angelo Dundee, Hall of Fame Trainer of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman
“I like Floyd in this one. If it was 3 years ago I would have said Shane, but styles make fights and I just think that at this point in time Floyd’s style is going to give Shane problems. Margarito stands in front of you, and Mosley just hit him up. I have to go with Floyd. He makes adjustments very well and once he makes that adjustment it could be a boring fight. Mosley is saying he’s going to knock Floyd out. Floyd rises to the occasion. The better his opponent is, the better Floyd is. Shane has a shot, don’t get me wrong, and Floyd has to be on his p’s and q’s all night. But I’m picking Floyd in a decision.”
- Buddy McGirt, Trainer of Arturo Gatti and Antonio Tarver
“I think Floyd Mayweather is going to win. I think he’s too good of a counterpuncher for Shane Mosley. Shane is going to have to make the fight and that’s going to play into Floyd’s hands. Mosley is a really good fighter, but watching his last few fights, I just don’t think he can keep up with Mayweather. He’s not going to be able to keep up the pace that can stop Floyd from throwing punches. I think Mosley will have a good first four rounds, but then Floyd will take over after that. Mosley’s got a shot, but if he tries to box Floyd, Floyd will dominate early. His best shot is to jump on Floyd and dominate early, and hurt him. If he tries to come out and make it a slow pace he’s in trouble. He has to come out and hurt Floyd, but I don’t see him doing that. I pick Mayweather in a wide decision.”
- Ronnie Shields, Trainer of Tomasz Adamek, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Juan Diaz
“I’m picking Shane Mosley. I think he will stop Mayweather. Mayweather hasn’t had the competition that Shane has. Mayweather always had the advantages. He never went into an even fight. Mosley has the knowledge, ring generalship, speed, power and just the ability in general that will lead to a win. Mayweather has been cherry picking and not challenging anyone. Mosley by knockout. No doubt about it.”
- George Peterson, Trainer of Paul Williams
What the US public is saying:
The whorupicking.com site is teetering back and forth every day between Mayweather and Mosley with tens of thousands of votes:
Mayweather Mosley
Whorupicking.com 52% 48%
The West Coast is sticking with Sugar Shane Mosley, while the East Coast continues to back up Floyd Mayweather:
Mayweather Mosley
East Coast 59% 41%
West Coast 45% 55%
It’s a virtual dead heat with respect to the breakdown between urban and rural areas:
Mayweather Mosley
Cities 51% 49%
Rural 50% 50%
Here is a closer look at the breakdown amongst the nation’s top cities:
Mayweather Mosley
Los Angeles 40% 60%
New York 53% 47%
Miami 63% 37%
Chicago 62% 38%
Houston 44% 56%
San Francisco 42% 58%
Dallas 53% 47%
Washington, DC 68% 32%
Phoenix 47% 53%
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
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