Clottey not going for a quick KO -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Joshua Clottey of Ghana spoke modestly about his March 13 battle with Manny Pacquiao, telling the Philippine press on Monday that while he will be armed to the teeth, he won’t be rushing for a knockout win.

“You don’t force a knockout,” said Clottey upon his arrival at the Four Seasons Resort and Club as Texas-based Filipino ringside physician Allan Recto, an avid follower of Pacquiao, listened intently.

“If there’s a knockout, it will come,” said Clottey, who blew into town half-an-hour ahead of Pacquiao, who came in on board a private plane that took off from Los Angeles.

Clottey, looking robust and upbeat, said he currently weighs 162 lbs and that making the 147-lb limit won’t be a problem.

The African banger hasn’t fought since dropping a controversial 12-round split decision to Miguel Cotto in June last year in New York.

Despite the inactivity, Clottey, who is now based in the Bronx in New York, remained in fighting form, having spent most of his free time playing soccer.

A training camp in either Florida or Nevada is being eyed by Clottey’s camp.

Source: mb.com.ph

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Clottey big, but passive: Roach -- Tempo

By NICK GIONGCO, Tempo

Aboard the private plane that brought Manny Pacquiao and select members of his team here Monday night, it was the fighter’s trainer that provided the juiciest quotes to a visiting reporter who joined them on the trip that lasted for less than three hours.

Freddie Roach said that while he is not underestimating Joshua Clottey, who Pacquiao faces on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in the neighboring city of Arlington, the Ghanaian will find it hard to cope with the energy level that the Filipino brings to the ring.

“Clottey is passive,” said Roach, raising his two arms to mimic Clottey’s moves in an actual fight.

“Manny fights every second of every round and Clottey doesn’t do that. He just raises his arms,” he said.

Still, Roach believes “it is still going to be a hard fight because Clottey is big and strong.”

Roach is so wary of the remaining time available hat he wants Pacquiao to begin sparring by Tuesday or Thursday of next week.

Pacquiao, who slept most of the way, is due for his first day or training on Thursday at the conclusion of the press tour that actually kicks off with a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Cowboys Stadium

Top Rank chief Bob Arum swears the presentation on Tuesday will be unforgettable, noting that Texas billionaire Jerry Jones, worked hard in making sure the event will be something that is out of the ordinary.

Arum actually joined Pacquiao on the journey here, having sent a plane to pick up Pacquiao in Los Angeles before being fetched himself at Henderson Executive Airport just outside of Las Vegas.

Aboard the 13-seater jet, the travel time from Los Angeles to Henderson was a mere 35 minutes, while it took a little over two hours for the Henderson-Dallas leg to be completed.

Also on board were Arum’s stepson and Top Rank president Todd BuBoef and Carl Morreti, another Top Rank bigshot, as well as Pacquiao’s advisers Mike Koncz and Jeng Gacal, and ring announcer Michael Buffer.

Pacquiao and Clottey as well as the Top Rank crew are billeted at the ultra-expensive Four Seasons Resort and Club.

From here, Pacquiao will proceed to New York for another gig at Madison Square Garden.

Source: tempo.com.ph

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Leonard Ellerbe: Floyd Mayweather will demand random blood and urine testing in all future fights -- Grand Rapids Press

By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press

Floyd Mayweather’s adviser today said that a familiar demand -- random blood and urine drug testing -- will be implemented in any future fight involving the boxing star.

Leonard Ellerbe said the negotiating point that stalled Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao talks also will become a central part of discussions to finalize a Mayweather-Shane Mosley bout this spring.

“Whoever fights Floyd Mayweather in the future, that person will be subjected to random blood and urine testing,” Ellerbe said. “I don’t care who he fights, that will be the case.

“Floyd is out front, championing this effort to change the way the sport is handled in the future.”

Mayweather-Pacquiao talks fell apart in December and January over that very issue. Mayweather demanded random blood testing -- which is not required in Nevada, where the fight would have taken place -- right up until the fight. Pacquiao proposed three tests, one in early January, a second no later than 30 days before the fight and a third after the fight.

Eventually, Mayweather yielded to a 14-day window before the fight when there would be no blood testing, while Pacquiao moved to a 24-day window. That is where the proposal wilted.

In the midst of their disagreements, Pacquiao sued Mayweather and several of the Grand Rapids native’s associates in a Nevada federal court, alleging they defamed him with claims that he used steroids.

While there is no proof Pacquiao ever used a performance-enhancing substance, that is not the case with Mosley, who used EPO and the steroids “the cream” and “the clear,” which he purchased from BALCO, the California laboratory that was the subject of a highly publicized federal investigation.

Mosley admitted his usage in leaked grand jury testimony related to the BALCO investigation in 2007.

Ellerbe refused to discuss how close Mayweather-Mosley is to completion, or even if talks have occurred. But he did acknowledge that any plan for Mayweather to fight March 13, on the same day Pacquiao fights Joshua Clottey, has been abandoned.

Ellerbe said throughout December that Mosley was Mayweather’s backup plan if the Pacquiao fight failed to materialize, and reiterated that Monday.

“If Shane Mosley is available, Floyd would like nothing more than to beat his ass,” Ellerbe said. “Floyd has been trying to make that fight for years.”

Mosley indeed became available Monday, when Andre Berto, his scheduled opponent for a fight next week, withdrew from that bout.

Berto pulled out of the scheduled Jan. 30 fight, citing a lack of focus in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. Berto was raised in Florida but fought for Haiti in the 2004 Olympics and has several family members in the Caribbean island nation, including a sister who was displaced by the disaster.

“Everybody is trying to make a fight,” between Mayweather and Mosley, Ellerbe said, “but Floyd just feels awful about what has happened in Haiti, and our hearts and prayers go out to Andre Berto and his family.”

E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Source: mlive.com

Mayweather-Mosley Being Put Together -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Floyd Mayweather could face the WBC's welterweight (147 pounds) super champion, Shane Mosley, on May 1 or May 8, Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, told FanHouse Monday evening.

"I've had conversations with Team Mayweather, and I'll be working in the coming hours and days toward a way that we can get this fight done. The fact is, in the sport of boxing, you may have maybe two or three true Super Fights, and this is one of those two Super Fights -- two Americans at the height of the sport's pound-for-pound list," said Schaefer.

"It would be a throw-back fight to the days when you had Sugar Ray Leonard against Thomas Hearns," said Schaefer. "This is truly at that level -- an event and a fight which will truly capture not just the boxing fans, but the general public. And I think that all of us involved in the sport of boxing feel that it's the medicine that is needed."

The 32-year-old, five-time champion, Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts), and the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) could meet as a result of two, lucrative pay days that fell out.

Mayweather's scheduled March 13 megabout with Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) unraveled as a result of a drug-testing controversy, and Mosley's Jan. 30 matchup with Andre Berto (25-0, 19 KOs) will not take place as a result of Berto's pulling out of the fight.

A Hatian American, Berto was devastated by the recent earthquake that rocked Haiti, killing untold numbers of people, including nine of his relatives.

"We are all very sorry for what Andre Berto has to go through, and I think that he's making the right decision. At this point, his place is not in the ring, it is with his people and his family," said Schaefer.

"I don't have any relatives in Haiti, but to see all the pictures and the number of people who are dead now, and what is going on, I can only imagine what Andre has had to go through," said Schaefer. "What a devastating blow. When I informed Shane Mosley about it, he very much echoed that sentiment."

After Mayweather's unanimous decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in September, Mosley jumped into the ring, interrupted Mayweather's post-fight interview with Max Kellerman, and challenged the unbeaten, five-time champion to make a deal to fight him.

When he discovered the fight with Berto would not take place, Mosley "made it clear to me to see if we could get" one with Mayweather, said Schaefer.

"I have May 1, and I have, May 8 on hold, and on one of the fights, I was planning to have Juan Manuel Marquez on," said Schaefer. "So, I have to see now if -- with the whole Berto situation happening -- I have to see if it's going to be possible to put together a Mayweather-Mosley fight."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Pacquiao hits LAX but never leaves his trail behind -- PhilBoxing

By Granville Ampong, PhilBoxing.com

LOS ANGELES, California, January 17, 2010 - Philippines' congressional candidate and Pound-for-Pound king Manny Pacquiao arrived at the Tom Bradley Los Angeles International Airport as the Philippine Airlines Flight 105 touched down at 4:27 p.m. on a chilly, rainy and much colder Sunday.

But, as Pacquiao and his entourage came out of the immigration and customs area, the temperature went its way up, warm and fast, as the crowd swelled to a majestic proportion. Hundreds welcomed him along with the media personalities.

Pacquiao prepares to kick off two-city promotional tour for his WBO Welterweight title defense against the "tough panther" of Ghana, Joshua Clottey, on March 13 at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In an exclusive telephone interview, Pacquiao's promoter and Top Rank Godfather Bob Arum said Pacquiao is scheduled to attend the news conference this Tuesday in Dallas and on Wednesday at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City.

According to Arum, Pacquiao will leave Los Angeles Monday on a private plane near LAX that will take a brief stop in Las Vegas to pick him up and his stepson Todd DuBoef for the continuation of the full flight to Dallas.

Arlington is said to be rolling the red carpet for Pacquiao when it hosts the kickoff press conference on Tuesday and the entire cheerleading squad will be provided as well, that is said to begin at 1 p.m.

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboy Stadium, and Arum are joining hands in staging the bout dubbed "The Event' , the first boxing event to be held at the $ 1.2 - billion facility.

After the promotional tour, Pacquiao, along with his entourage, is said to fly back to Los Angeles, to start his training this weekend at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

Meanwhile, as Pacquiao hits LAX and prepares to galvanize his boxing fans with his bid to bring pride and joy, his trail rekindles his heart out for the Philippines' 2010 National Elections this May 10. An impressive win over Clottey could mean a "big thing" for his electoral votes. He is vying for the congressional post in the lone district of Sarragani against Roy Chongbian, the younger brother of the incumbent Congressman Erwin Chongbian, whose dynasty has been reigning over 20 years to this date.

Note: You may send your message to granvilleampong@aol.com.

Source: philboxing.com

***

Door opened for Mosley-Mayweather -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

Overwhelmed by family loss in the Haiti earthquake, welterweight titleholder Andre Berto withdrew on Monday from his scheduled unification fight with Shane Mosley on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The cancellation of the fight could lead to Mosley instead defending his title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the spring.

"Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood," Berto said in a statement. "I lost several family members to the earthquake and, after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi, and her daughter, Jessica, survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents' eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.

"As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and, therefore, I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30."

Berto lost at least eight family members in the disaster.

Berto's parents were born in Haiti before immigrating in 1980 to Winter Haven, Fla., where Berto grew up and still lives. Berto (25-0, 19 KOs) also represented Haiti in the 2004 Olympic Games and has done charitable work there for the past several years.

"Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone's prayers for the people of Haiti," Berto said. "I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation. The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event."

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Mosley, said he told Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) about the cancellation of the fight, and he was understanding.

"It's just a very unfortunate situation," Schaefer said. "This is unbelievable. Everyone has seen the pictures from Haiti and followed this devastating situation. We all feel very bad for Andre. We know where his focus needs to be and that is with his family and his people. I talked to Shane. Obviously, he shares the sentiment. He feels bad for Andre and understands. But at the same time he is disappointed because he is in amazing shape with two weeks to go, and now this fight fell out. He is not happy about it, but he fully understands the situation. We just wish the best for Andre Berto."

The cancellation of the fight may open another door for Mosley. With the Manny Pacquiao-Mayweather fight falling apart and Pacquiao moving on to face Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, the date Pacquiao-Mayweather was supposed to take place on, it left Mayweather without an opponent.

Schaefer, who promotes Mosley and is working with Mayweather, had announced that Mayweather would also fight on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on a pay-per-view that would compete with Pacquiao-Clottey.

However, behind the scenes, plans were being made for Mayweather to go on an alternative date. Now, Mayweather could wind up challenging Mosley for his title on May 1, a date Golden Boy has been holding for a pay-per-view event at the MGM Grand.

"That is a super fight, and now my next order of business -- to see if we can put [Mosley-Mayweather] together," Schaefer said. "That is what I am going to be doing in the coming hours. The sooner the better if we can get this potential fight done. With Shane now being available and Floyd being available, that's a fight all fight fans and sports fans would embrace. This would be a huge showdown. Shane has wanted that fight for awhile. That's what I am going to try to do."

Berto's schedule will remain up in the air while he deals with his family loss. He had stormed through his professional career to win a vacant 147-pound title via seventh-round knockout of Miguel Angel Rodriguez in 2008 and has made three defenses against Steve Forbes, former titleholder Luis Collazo and junior welterweight titlist Juan Urango. But the showdown with Mosley was by far the most significant bout of his career and a way to stamp himself as a star with a victory.

But the family tragedy was too much for him to continue training for the bout.

"I think he made a correct decision for himself," said Lou DiBella, Berto's promoter throughout his professional career. "Your mental health and physically health are more important than one fight. I know that Andre has been in agony since this happened. He has been really struggling. He is mentally and physically exhausted and I don't think he's been sleeping. He's been torn about whether to fight and had to make this decision. I think he's going to go to Haiti next week.

"It's the right decision. It's impossible to watch those pictures from Haiti even if you're not Haitian. But he and his family and his parents are suffering. It hits very close to home. How could any human being focus under those circumstances? I'm glad for Andre that he made this decision for himself."

The entire Jan. 30 card has been called off. The undercard included several notable bouts, including Glen Johnson against Yusaf Mack in a light heavyweight title eliminator, former junior welterweight titlist Vivian Harris facing Lucas Matthysse and former junior middleweight titleholder Sergio Mora ending a year-plus layoff to fight Jason Naugler in his first fight since signing with Golden Boy Promotions.

Schaefer said he would huddle with matchmaker Eric Gomez to notify the fighters that the card was off and to discuss alternatives.

DiBella said everyone involved in the show, from his staff to Golden Boy to HBO, which was to launch the 2010 season of "World Championship Boxing" with the fight, was supportive of Berto's decision.

"Not one person involved in the promotion had any negative response to this decision," DiBella said. "Everyone empathizes with Andre and his whole family. The young man's well-being outweighs any one fight."

HBO's Kery Davis echoed DiBella.

"Andre Berto is a terrific athlete and an even better person," Davis said. "We can only imagine the pain the earthquake has caused the entire Berto family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andre and we hope to have him back on HBO when he is ready to return to the ring."

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Devastated Andre Berto Pulls Out of Fight With Mosley -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Emotionally distraught Andre Berto is pulling out of his scheduled Jan. 30 title matchup opposite Shane Mosley, as a result of having lost several family members during last week's earthquake in Haiti.

The 26-year-old Berto (25-0, 19 knockouts) "has not slept in about six days, and he's not physically well, and he's not mentally well," said Berto's promoter, Lou DiBella. "I made it clear to Andre a while ago that he didn't have to be a hero, and that he had to do what was right for himself and his family."

"Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood," said Berto in a statement released on Monday.

"I lost several family members to the earthquake, and after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi, and her daughter, Jessica, survived, but were left homeless," Berto said.

"I have seen the pain in my parents' eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home," said Berto. "As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and therefore I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30."

Berto's oldest sibling, Naomi, and her 12-year-old daughter were missing until Thursday -- two days after the earthquake struck -- when they were found wandering Haiti's rubble-filled streets.

But by then, Berto told FanHouse that he already had discovered "about eight or nine relatives in all who we know are dead right now."

"Mentally, I've been trying to get my workouts in, regardless, but my mind has definitely been on this [Haiti] situation," said Berto, a Hatian-American who represented the island nation in the 2004 Olympics and whose parents, Diuseul and Wilnise, were born in Haiti.

"This fight is the biggest fight of my life," said Berto. "But Haiti -- and the people of Haiti -- they are my life."

On Sunday night, FanHouse learned that the 38-year-old Mosley, who is the WBC's super champ, will meet Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) on May 1 at a site and location to be determined.

"This is a young man going through a horrible, horrible horror. Just watch the pictures on CNN if you're not Hatian. But if you've lost family, and if your parents are born there, then the horrors are immeasurable," said DiBella, a New York native and resident who "was a mess for months after 9-11, but I didn't lose any family members."

"Literally, an entire city has collapsed, and placed people in jeopardy. And those people are Andre Berto's people. Andre has a long career ahead of him, and this is a personal decision, and, obviously, the right decision for him," said DiBella.

"There's no second-guessing here. Everyone from HBO, to Golden Boy Promotions, to everyone we've talked to -- the reaction has all been about empathy and humanity because that's what it should be."

Berto is assisting Hatians through his Web site, andreberto.com, as well as another, carmafoundation.org.

"Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone's prayers for the people of Haiti," said Berto.

"I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation," said Berto. "The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event."

(Note: The Red Cross has set up a donation texting system wherein texting "HAITI," followed by, "90999," sends $10 per text to the Haitian Relief Fund. In addition, the U.S. government has designated a telephone number -- 1-888-407-4747 -- for people seeking information about friends and relatives in the country.)

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Mayweather Jr. facing Mosley is a Laughable Hypocrisy -- Now Boxing

By Knoxville, Now Boxing

Rumor has it that Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions are bypassing their March 13th date to avoid going head to head with Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey at Dallas Cowboys stadium on the same date and instead fight Shane Mosley on May 1st.

The March 13 date was originally set for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada but you know how that went Floyd Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t go through with the fight unless Manny Pacquiao took multiple blood tests pre-fight because Team Mayweather believed Pacquiao was a juicer(steroid user).

Don’t get me wrong I would love to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally face Sugar Shane Mosley but what makes me laugh is how Mayweather Jr. is willing to face 38 year old Shane Mosley who is a known former steroid and EPO user but not Manny Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a new nickname El Hipócrita (The Hypocrite)
Face Mosley who has used steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the past but avoid fighting a prime Pacquiao for the most money ever in a single boxing event because you assume he is unreal and enhanced with no proof.

(This week it was revealed that Pacquiao and Mayweather both passed their NSAC urine tests and tested negative for steroids.)

How do we know if Mosley will beat Andre Berto? Why not say I will fight the winner of Andre Berto vs. Shane Mosley instead?

This could be a Zab Judah vs. Carlos Baldomir type of situation all over again.

WBC welterweight champion, Andre Berto, the Haitian sensation is no push over. And right now with the disastrous earthquake that ravaged the country of Haiti, I am sure Berto will go into his Jan. 30th HBO fight with Shane Mosley with even more to prove. Berto will have his country on his back and we seen what happens when a man fights for his country with pride just look at Manny Pacquiao it gives these guys extra motivation.

Of all the guys involved I feel badly for Shane Mosley because his name has been thrown out as a pawn for negotiations in the past just for posturing. It seems like no one really wanted to fight him, I think Mosley should of just left Golden Boy and went with some other promoter because since he signed with Golden Boy he hasn’t really gotten many fights. All Mosley got was a bunch of broken promises.

I have a strong feeling Mayweather Jr. is hoping for Shane Mosley to lose his fight with Berto, or Mosley looking his age against Andre Berto.

Everything just seems odd with Golden Boy Promotions. In the past they denied Zab Judah’s request that Shane Mosley take random blood tests, but Golden Boy insisted that Pacquiao take them against Mayweather.

At the end of the day it seems like Mayweather Jr. is banking on an aging Shane Mosley come Jan. 30, 2010 win or lose.

If Mosley does get the fight with Mayweather Jr. I am definitely rooting for Mosley in that fight.

Source: nowboxing.com

Connecting the dots to Mayweather-Mosley -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

A source has told Fanhouse's Lem Satterfield that there is work being done to create a long-discussed Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Shane Mosley fight May 1, most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The men who know how far those talks have progressed are being vague about the discussions, giving credibility to the idea because they were both given opportunities to deny it.

"I have two words: no comment," said Richard Schaefer, Mosley's promoter and the man who has been retained by Mayweather to promote "Money's" next bout. "I can't talk about anything. I'm just trying to get stuff done."

Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe was similarly dodging.

"Floyd has always said he wants to fight the biggest fight possible, no matter who it may be," Ellerbe told The Times today. "He'll line up all these guys one by one and beat them."

Since Mayweather's proposed March 13 bout with Manny Pacquiao crashed in a dispute over drug-testing protocol earlier this month, logic says the next best bout to make would be against Mosley, who has more name recognition than another talented possible foe, Paul Williams.

Mayweather originally was going to fight the same night as Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey March 13 in Dallas, but it appears smarter thinking prevailed to get out of that date in Las Vegas. The Nevada State Athletic Commission last week tabled Schaefer's request to stage a March 13 bout at the MGM Grand.


World welterweight champ Mosley still has a title fight coming Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas against Andre Berto, but a victory would make a Mayweather bout very sensible, with the winner poised to take on Pacquiao in the fall.

I remember years ago, around early 2000, when boxing analyst Al Bernstein told me the best idea in boxing would be to stage an old multi-fight series between Mosley and Mayweather. It never happened. Mosley ended up taking on Oscar De La Hoya and others, and Mayweather has selected other foes, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, but perhaps it is happening now.

And in a year that started so poorly for the sport, with the Mayweather-Pacquiao talks imploding, this is the next best thing.

-- Lance Pugmire

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Floyd Mayweather's Plan B? Shane Mosley; fight expected to be announced this week -- Grand Rapids Press

By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press

Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley could announce as soon as Tuesday that they have agreed to a megafight. It isn’t Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao. But it’s the closest possible thing to it.

As if to underscore this really is going to happen, within hours of the unconfirmed Mayweather-Mosley rumors flying Monday, Andre Berto -- who was supposed to fight Mosley in a big welterweight fight next week -- announced he had to withdraw, due to the tragic events in Haiti, from whence his family hails.

We are not making light of those events, yet this is a common occurrence in boxing, that one fighter receives a sizable “step-aside” payment to abdicate a fight to which he is entitled, usually with some agreement for a future big fight as part of the deal.

This was Plan B all along, Mayweather vs. Mosley, just like the Mayweather camp said during the failed Pacquiao talks. They couldn't make the single most desirable fight in boxing. So, at some point this week, they will announce one of the most long-sought fights instead.

To those who relentlessly insist Mayweather picks the lowest-hanging fruit for opposition, despite ample years of contrary evidence, here is yet another answer.

To those who questioned why Mayweather balked when Mosley confronted him during a mid-ring interview after his September comeback victory, here is your pipe-down response: Mayweather vs. Mosley, May 1, presumably in Las Vegas.

Mayweather-Pacquiao couldn't be made because of Pacquiao's fear of needles and blood work -- forget, momentarily, the tattoos and a bloodsport career -- so it's on to Mayweather-Mosley.

There won't be a competing fight on March 13, Mayweather vs. Fill In The Blank, in a pay-per-view showdown against Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey, as had been threatened.

Instead, consumers in a balky economy may have to decide whether to buy a Mayweather fight or a Pacquiao fight, although in that effort, Mayweather landed the first solid counterpunch between them, as well as a keenly timed interruption to Tuesday’s press conference in Dallas, where Pacquiao-Clottey will be announced formally.

To the casual boxing fan who only will pay $50 to watch one fight or the other, the choice is obvious.

Mosley, meantime, was supposed to fight Berto on Jan. 30, in a welterweight unification.

Berto has family in Haiti and if his withdrawal from the Mosley fight was predicated purely on post-earthquake devastation, and does not involve a seven-figure lump sum, that is perfectly understandable.

Nevertheless, this is an age-old formula, and with Mayweather-Mosley on the horizon, it is plausible that Berto -- who was raised in Florida but fought for Haiti in the 2004 Olympics -- was encouraged to abandon the Mosley fight for reasons beyond emotional pain.

Mayweather and Mosley share a rivalry with history.

In 1999, when Mayweather fought his first hometown title bout at Van Andel Arena, Mosley did TNT commentary. Mayweather said he wanted to fight Mosley. Mosley’s father, Jack, said they only would accept the fight for $10 million, at a point when neither fighter even commanded a seven-figure purse.

For years thereafter, they traveled divergent paths. When Mosley moved up to welterweight and twice defeated Oscar De La Hoya, fighting Mayweather was not in his equation. After Mosley lost twice each to Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright, a Mosley fight made no sense for Mayweather.

In 2006, when Mosley reclaimed his career with a victory over Fernando Vargas, Mayweather-Mosley was as natural as Mayweather-Pacquiao today.

But in the mid-ring interview after the fight, Mosley declared that he would take a vacation instead.

Only within the last year has the fight made business and athletic sense for both men.

Mosley is 38 and nit-pickers will focus on that fact. But he hasn't lost his daunting speed.

Mayweather will be 33. There isn't much difference.

There also isn't much difference between Mayweather-Pacquiao and Mayweather-Mosley. The former will get made eventually, and the latter right now.

As boxing alternatives go, this response was as comprehensive as they come.

E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo

Source: mlive.com