Mayweather not going for the gold -- ESPN

By Franklin McNeil, Special to ESPN.com

There was a time, not very long ago it seems, when possessing a major title belt represented greatness. Every fighter once strived to own at least one.

Not anymore.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley enter the ring Saturday night (HBO pay-per-view at 9 ET), the atmosphere inside MGM Grand Garden Arena will have a championship-bout feel.

However, there won't be a single belt up for grabs. That sits quite well with Mayweather.

He couldn't care less about the World Boxing Association welterweight title belt that Mosley currently owns. Being a champion is no longer on Mayweather's priority list.

Legacy and money motivate Mayweather now.

"At this level, it's not about belts," Mayweather's top adviser Leonard Ellerbe said. "It's about fighting … to improve his legacy; and it's about money.

"Floyd's already the best fighter in the world. Why does he need to fight for a belt to prove that?"

Few would question Mayweather's status as an elite boxer. Only Manny Pacquiao challenges him for top billing on most pound-for-pound lists.

Despite an impressive 40-0 (25 knockouts) professional record, there are some who doubt the validity of his success. The most common knock on Mayweather is his quality of opposition.

He takes issue with that criticism. It's a challenge to his legacy.

"No one gives me credit for who I have fought during my career." Mayweather said. "Shane is a solid welterweight with great accomplishments, but I have been fighting these kinds of fighters my whole career without much appreciation."

Count Mosley among those who question the quality of Mayweather's opponents, at least his 147-pound challengers. He believes Mayweather has avoided stiff competition too long, and it's time to step up.

Mosley plans to prove he, not Mayweather, is the best welterweight today. There is no doubt in Mosley's mind that this time Mayweather has bitten off far more than he can chew.

"He hasn't fought another top welterweight; I'm the first one that he's fought who's a world champion," said Mosley, who will carry a record of 46-5-0 with 39 KOs into the ring. "There are [several] great welterweights out there that he could have chosen to fight instead of fighting the ones that he fought."

Mayweather considers himself the best boxer ever, but the type of criticism Mosley and others have leveled against him makes it difficult for most observers to take his all-time best claim seriously.

Defeating Mosley, and doing so in impressive fashion, will give those same critics reason to re-examine their position on Mayweather's place in boxing history. Regardless of what happens Saturday night in Las Vegas, Mayweather believes he's done enough already to be rated boxing's all-time best.

He doesn't base his opinion on talent and professional record alone. The amount of money a fighter generates factors heavily into his equation. For Mayweather, pay-per-view buys is now a key indicator of a fighter's greatness.

"I got respect for Sugar Ray Robinson; I've got respect for Muhammad Ali," Mayweather said. "What makes them better than I am? Because they fought a thousand fights?

"In my era, it's totally different. It's pay-per-view now, so things change. It's out with the old and in with the new.

"Muhammad Ali is one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best. Sugar Ray Robinson is one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best."

With these words, Mayweather has significantly upped the ante. His legacy will be on the line Saturday night, but that is a big motivating factor for him.

Mayweather wouldn't have it any other way.

"At this point, it's about enhancing [my legacy]," he said. "I've accomplished many things that many fighters weren't able to do in this sport. With Mosley, [a victory] is going to … enhance my legacy."

Mayweather won't go into details on how he intends to whip Mosley. He does offer a glimpse of what viewers are likely to see when the punches start flying.

"Shane may be loading up with wide shots, and not using a full jab; I use a fuller jab," Mayweather said. "When I shoot my shots, I look at my opponents and I look where I'm punching.

"When Shane punches, a lot of times he closes his eyes … go back and look at some of his fights. … We're two totally different fighters."

Enhancing their boxing legacy is a desire Mayweather and Mosley will have in common. Mosley is 38 years old, and this fight might be his last opportunity to convince boxing enthusiasts that he deserves a spot among the all-time greats.

He's old-school and would love to have his WBA belt on the line Saturday night. For Mosley, fighting for and retaining the belt would add credibility to his accomplishment.

While the WBA 147-pound belt has no value to Mayweather, it remains important to Mosley. His promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, continues to petition WBA officials to put its belt on the line just for Mosley.

"It is not a WBA championship fight," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said. "However, we are currently discussing with the WBA that for Shane, Shane would be defending his belt.

"It's a non-WBA title fight. The two best fighters fighting each other. That's at stake here."

Not long ago, it seems, every boxer wanted a title belt around his waste. That isn't the case today.

Mayweather represents a new way of thinking: Get paid. Period.

Mosley is old-school: He too wants to make as much money as possible, but owning a championship belt still matters to him.

Mayweather and Mosley will put their legacies on the line Saturday night, but the future of boxing's sanctioning organizations also might be at stake.

Franklin McNeil is a contributing boxing/mixed martial arts writer for ESPN.com. He appears regularly on ESPN.com's 'MMA Live.'

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Mayweather tries to dodge publicity from August shooting -- Las Vegas Review-Journal

By STEVE CARP, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Late in August, as Floyd Mayweather Jr. was preparing to return to boxing, he found himself dealing with an incident outside the ring.

He reportedly had gotten into an argument with two men at a roller-skating rink in Las Vegas where he was hosting a party for one of his children. As the two men left in their car, five shots were fired at them by someone police claimed was an associate of Mayweather.

Less than a month later, Mayweather dominated Juan Manuel Marquez, notching his 40th consecutive victory. The incident apparently had no impact on his ability to focus in the ring.

Now, with his welterweight showdown against Shane Mosley looming Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden, Mayweather again has to deal with the negative publicity stemming from that shooting incident on Aug. 23.

Last week, Ocie Harris, 27, was indicted on six felony counts, including two for attempted murder, for allegedly firing the five shots at the vehicle containing the two men -- Quincey Williams and Damien Bland. Police say Williams and Bland got into the argument with Mayweather.

Mayweather is not a target in the case, police say. Mayweather denies knowing Harris, but police say he has been linked to Harris through witnesses, surveillance tapes and records that were seized from Mayweather's home.

"All I got to say on Ocie Harris is that I'm Floyd Mayweather," Mayweather said Tuesday upon his "official" arrival at the MGM Grand for Saturday's fight. "My last name isn't Harris. It's Mayweather. I have nothing to do with that."

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager and longtime friend, said, "Floyd is not involved in that incident, and we're not going to dwell on anything that's negative."

Mayweather said he has developed a greater awareness of those with whom he associates.

"Me and Leonard talk a lot, me and (co-manager) Al (Haymon) talk a lot," Mayweather said. "They say to me, 'Floyd, We'll do our job. Just promise us you'll surround yourself with the right people.'

"We know the people who are in the gym every day. We know people are trying to get close to me. But my management, my assistants, my security team, everyone plays a major role, and I'm very thankful."

Said Ellerbe: "Everyone in our inner circle is known to Floyd. People are going to do whatever they want to do. People tend to follow people who are successful."

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who promoted Mayweather in the first 10 years of his professional career, from 1996 to 2006, said other than a couple of domestic violence issues in 2004 and again in 2005, he didn't have any problems with Mayweather outside the ring.

"I didn't detect any undesirables when we had Floyd," Arum said. "We tried to counsel him, and when he had his domestic abuse case, we helped him deal with that."

Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive officer, has worked with Mayweather on several promotions, including the Mosley fight. Schaefer said he worries for Mayweather's reputation as well as how it could impact Mayweather the businessman.

"If you're a well-known celebrity, and Floyd is certainly that, certain elements of society are attracted to you," Schaefer said. "It's not that you find them, but they find you. You have these hangers-on, and you don't know who they are. They're not on the payroll, but they're around. Anyone who acts as a friend and adviser would want to counsel their athlete."

Ellerbe said that is exactly what he and Haymon are doing for Mayweather.

"Floyd is 33 years old," Ellerbe said. "He knows right from wrong. He surrounds himself with positive people."

Still, seeing his name linked to someone who could spend several decades in prison if convicted can't be perceived as a positive. Mayweather hosts several annual charity events in Las Vegas and Grand Rapids, Mich., including providing Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas toys and feeding the homeless, but those good deeds sometimes get overlooked because of events such as August's shooting at the skating rink.

"When you're on top, people are always trying to take you down," Ellerbe said. "Floyd is at the point of his career where he is at his highest earning potential. He still has his sponsors (AT&T and Reebok). We get offers every day. So anything negative being written or said is not having a negative impact on Floyd."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.

Source: lvrj.com

Mayweather: I'm the best -- Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Floyd Mayweather Jnr is stepping up the rhetoric in the week before his fight with WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley.

Mayweather, who will take his 40-0 undefeated record into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the early hours of Sunday morning, insists he does not get the respect his achievements deserve.

Now 33, the five-weight champion insists he is still the best in the world and refuses to accept the recent decision of the Boxing Writers Association, who voted Manny Pacquiao as Fighter of the Decade.

"I don't care what fighter you're going to name, I'm the best," he said. "Throw a name at me and I'll break his stats down. Whatever they've done I've done it quicker, with no [losses].

"The ultimate goal in boxing right now is to find a fighter that can beat Floyd Mayweather. And it's not going to happen."

Mayweather was close to signing a fight with Pacquao earlier this year, but the Filipino refused to yield to the American's demand for random blood testing within three weeks of the bout.

"How'd he get fighter of the decade and he got outboxed by Erik Morales and had two knock-down, drag-out fights with Juan Manuel Marquez? I just don't get it," he added.

"All I did was constantly beat whoever they put in front of me. I'm never going to get my just due. All these fighters they put in front of me, they've all been cake walks for me."

Source: skysports.com

Speed not key to "Money" match -- ESPN Star

ESPNStar.com

Roger Mayweather says Shane Mosley won't beat Floyd Mayweather Jr by matching him for speed.

'Sugar' Shane and 'Money' clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the biggest fight of 2010 so far on Saturday night.

And many experts feel that even at the age of 38 Mosley provides the biggest threat so far to Floyd Jr's perfect 40-0 ring record.

His mix of speed, size and power make him a tough opponent on paper for Mayweather Jr.

But his uncle and trainer doesn't believe that the first of those attributes will be enough to win the day.

Roger said in a conference call: "People don't even understand about boxing. One thing I'm going to tell them right now is to let them know that one of the fastest guys in the history of the sport of boxing was a 1976 Olympic gold medalist. It was Howard Davis Jr.

"He had tremendous speed, but he never won a world championship, and he fought guys that were much slower than him. It's not about speed that wins fights. Skill wins fights.

"When you start talking about on a skill level or how, I'm not saying Shane Mosley's not a skilled fighter, but I said Floyd is the most skilled fighter in the sport. He understands boxing. That's what he's been doing all his life."

Naazim Richardson will be in Mosley's corner for the big showdown on Saturday week, and he knows that breaching Mayweather Jr's brilliant defence won't be easy.

He explained: "What you have to do with professionals at this level is that Shane has to do what is necessary to be done to be successful in this particular endeavour, and that's bottom line.

"If Floyd Mayweather turned into a dragon in the middle of the ring, then Shane has to step on his tail and hit him with a body shot. Whatever comes to pass, he has to endure it, deal with it, make the adjustment, and then execute."

Source: espnstar.com

"Sugar" Shane targets win double -- ESPN Star

ESPNStar.com

Shane Mosley says he'd give Floyd Mayweather Jr a rematch even if he didn't have to.

A clause in the contract for their eagerly-awaited Saturday showdown means Floyd Jr has the opportunity to demand a rematch if he loses his perfect pro record.

But Mosley says he'd give 'Money' another shot anyway as he wants to beat him twice.

'Sugar' Shane said: "Floyd is a great fighter and there are a lot of different things he can bring to the ring. But there are a lot of things I bring as well. On May 1 we are going to find out who the real chess player is.

"I think there is too big a deal being made about the fact that Floyd is undefeated. Before my first loss I was 38-0 with 35 KOs. That's a hell of a record, but that didn't mean I couldn't be beat and it doesn't mean Floyd can't either.

"It might be harder to fight someone who hasn't lost before because they really don't want to lose, but when you are fighting anyone on this level it's going to be tough. No-one wants to lose, so I don't think that is going to be an advantage for Mayweather.

"There is a clause in the contract that says Floyd gets a rematch if I beat him, but I would give him the rematch anyway, because it would be great to beat him twice."

The build-up to the bout has already featured plenty of Floyd Jr's usual brand of trash talk, but Mosley as ever refuses to get involved.

He said: "There are different personalities in boxing. Some guys like to talk a lot, but I'm not going to run my mouth just to do it. If I'm going to say something I'm going mean it. If it comes out of my mouth you know it's going to be heartfelt and it's going to be the truth."

The 38-year-old's career got a massive shot in the arm when he destroyed Antonio Margarito in his last bout in Los Angeles in January 2009.

And 'Sugar' gives a lot of the credit to Naazim Richardson, in his corner for the first time that night.

"Naazim has definitely re-energised my career," said Mosley.

"He is one of the hardest working trainers in the business. You can find him in the middle of the night watching films so that he knows the other fighter inside out. It's all about strategy with Naazim and I'm confident with him as my trainer going into this fight."

Richardson himself is already a massive Mosley fan, and only has one problem with his fighter - that his eagerness to fight the best costs him at the negotiating table. As well as the rematch clause, Shane agreed to Olympic-style drug testing for the Mayweather fight.

"I've said this to Shane, and I don't say anything behind my fighter's back that I wouldn't say to his face. I respect Shane. I love his approach as an athlete to his job and how he takes it on. I implore him to my heart as a friend, but I'll tell him to his face I think he's a poor negotiator.

"Shane wants to fight so bad he doesn't care. They could've convinced Shane that Roger (Mayweather, Floyd Jr's uncle and trainer) needs to be one of the judges. But Shane would've agreed to it because Shane just wants to fight.

"You can tell Shane 'look, you're going to have to tie one arm behind your back', and Shane's going to fight. 'We can hold it in Michigan in your backyard', and Shane wants to fight, so they're really a lot of hoops because Shane comes to the table already with the impression as long as we're fighting I don't care about anything else, tests or anything else of that nature."

Source: espnstar.com

Floyd Mayweather Jnr still obsessing over Manny Pacquiao ahead of Shane Mosley fight -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

Mainly because Pacquiao now has that pesky, mythical pound-for-pound title once bestowed upon Mayweather by every boxing pundit on the planet.

Only three fights in three years - Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez - and the cupboard is bare.

Mayweather is not a man who takes time out in the conventional sense. He lives and breathes boxing, walks around 2lbs over the welterweight limit, and, of late, appears to be a man obsessed with his greatest rival Pacquiao.

This week he has questioned Pacquiao's credentials to be considered 'great' as a prize fighter, while comparing his own skills as equal, if not better, than those of ring legends Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

When, and if, the Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight finds itself back on again, it is going to be some promotion. The pair were slated to settle the issue of best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet in March this year, a mega-bout which could gross in the region of $200 million, yet it collapsed over disagreements from the two camps on a pre-fight drug testing procedure.

Mayweather clearly derides his own status as ‘the former pound-for-pound king’, and this week launched a diatribe questioning the Filipino’s stature among the boxing greats.

That said, the Boxing Writers Association of America recently selected Pacquiao, currently running for a congressional seat in the province of Sarangani in his homeland, as the ‘Fighter of the Decade’.

Pacquiao has drawn comparison with the late Henry Armstrong, who held world titles in three different divisions simultaneously.

Pacquiao stopped Cotto in the 12th round last November to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, his seventh world title in seven weight classes. Six months earlier, Pacquiao knocked out Hatton at light-welterweight in two brutal rounds. It had taken Mayweather 10 rounds to stop the British fighter in Dec 2007.

Mayweather questioned Pacquiao’s credentials, however, playing down his sensational victories over Cotto and Hatton, insisting his rival should comply with the notion of pre-fight drugs testing.

“He beat a Miguel Cotto who got pummeled with a cast (Cotto’s opponent Antonio Margarito was found to have plaster of paris in his wraps) and he beat a Ricky Hatton that got stretched by me… That’s not for me to put him in the Hall of Fame.

“Manny Pacquiao struggled twice against Juan Manuel Marquez, he got knocked out twice, he got outboxed by Erik Morales, but then they still give him Boxer of the Decade. I don’t understand…All I'm saying, if you're a clean athlete, take your test. Show the world, you know what, I'm a natural. Take the test, that's all I say.”

Mayweather, who is a brilliant defensive fighter, compared himself to Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

“I got respect for Sugar Ray Robinson. I've got respect for Muhammad Ali. But I'm a man just like they're men. I put on my pants just like they put on their pants. What makes them any better than I am? Because they fought a thousand fights? In my era, it's totally different,” said Mayweather, undefeated in 40 professional fights.

“It's pay-per-view now, so things change. It's out with the old and in with the new. Things change. Like I said, Muhammad Ali is one hell of a fighter. But Floyd Mayweather is the best. Sugar Ray Robinson is one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best.

"You know, (promoter) Bob Arum always says that I can't draw flies. But the thing is, he's always trying to get his fighters to fight me. Every (major) fighter goes to fight Floyd Mayweather, for his biggest pay day. Work it out.”

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Shane Mosley's Ready To Let His Fists Do The Talking -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

It seems that from the moment Shane Mosley inked his name on the contract to fight Floyd Mayweather in late January, Mayweather's mind games began.

For not only did Mosley have to wait a few more days before Mayweather penned his name to close a deal on the fight Mosley claims to have sought for some 10 years, but he had to agree to a rematch in the event that Mayweather loses.

In addition, the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) has had to endure all manner of insult, inuendo, and, personal attack, as the 33-year-old Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has chided him concerning his recent divorce, his alleged nose job, and his past, admitted steroid use.

But if talk is cheap, Mayweather may well be writing a check that his mouth won't be able to cash, that is, if you ask Mosley.

"Floyd brings a lot of mouth. And we'll see what his mouth is all about. Floyd says a lot of things that are sometimes out of line. So I guess right now we are enemies," said Mosley.

"A lot of times, when people say something that's true it hurts. But then when they say something that isn't true, it just rolls off your shoulder," said Mosley. "When they say those different things, and I know they're not the truth, I can't change their mind. I know the truth."

Mosley's comments were made to reporters on Tuesday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, site of Saturday night's HBO pay per view-televised battle between the two.

And following numerous interviews, including a three-city, promotional tour of Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles, as well as weeks of training in the Mountains of Big Bear Lake, Calif., under Brother Naazim Richardson, Mosley clearly seems ready to let his fists do the talking.

"This is what makes Sugar Shane Mosley -- being able to fight, being able to box, and being ready mentally. Every time I fight, I'm looking to knock the guy out," said Mosley.

"But I can box too. I have boxed guys I was supposed to punch out. This is what makes me Sugar Shane. Being able to box, being able to slip and slide, being able to do everything," said Mosley. "I don't think I am going to spend the whole fight trying to outbox him. I am going to do everything Sugar Shane is supposed to do."

Mosley may have thrown down the gauntlet, so to speak, in September, when he interrupted Mayweather's, in-the-ring, post-fight interview with HBO's Max Kellerman following Mayweather's unanimous decision over Juan Manuel Marquez.

"You guys seem to forget, I am part of Golden Boy Promotions. That's why I was in the ring," said Mosley, explaining the situation on Tuesday. "The reason why I said something [to Floyd] was because I was called over and I was welcomed into the conversation."

Whatever the reason, Mosley took the opportunity to publicly call out Mayweather, speaking directly into Kellerman's microphone so that everyone in the MGM Grand's audience could hear.

At that point, said Mosley, Mayweather couldn't back down -- especially after a potential megafight opposite seven-time titlist, Manny Pacquiao, disintegrated due to an unresolved issue over drug testing.

"Floyd had to fight somebody if he wanted to be considered the best. Every fight has its own significance. This fight would be a great win. Beating Floyd would be a big feather in my cap," said Mosley. "Floyd has great defense. He's a great fighter. That's why we are looking at each other on May 1. I am happy that he has accepted this challenge."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Floyd Mayweather or Shane Mosley: Who Are They Picking? -- FanHouse

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

Mosley's title belt comes at a price, one Mayweather won't pay -- USA Today

By Bob Velin, USA TODAY

When Floyd Mayweather meets WBA welterweight champion Sugar Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday night, there will be plenty at stake for both fighters: money (lots of it), reputation, legacies, bragging rights and a perfect record (Mayweather's 40-0 mark).

One thing that won't be at stake, at least for Mayweather: Mosley's title belt. The belt is up for grabs — but only for Mosley.

Mayweather wants no part of it, he said. His manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said Tuesday that while they mean no disrespect to the WBA sanctioning body, Mayweather is already a six-time world champion and this is strictly a business decision.

"Floyd's already the best fighter in the world," Ellerbe said. "What is he going to prove by winning the WBA title? He's going to give up 3% of his purse (to the WBA) to prove that?

"When it comes down to it, spending several hundred thousand dollars to call yourself the champion when you're already the best fighter in the world is not a smart business move."

Three percent of Mayweather's take could be considerable. The Las Vegas-based fighter is expected to take home more than $40 million for the fight (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET), and because he is promoting himself and not fighting for a title, he'll keep it all.

"Floyd keeps all of his money, and (Mosley) gives 27% of his money to his promoter (Golden Boy)," Ellerbe said. "What Floyd has done — and I think other fighters will appreciate it down the road — he's been the first fighter to establish a business model that puts him in a position to control all of his revenue."

Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) appreciates the bottom line, too, but said he feels that the belt means something for a fighter's legacy.

"I think (Floyd) should want it," Mosley said of the belt. "Everybody grows up wanting to fight for a belt and be the world champion. And for them to just dismiss it, like, 'Oh, I'm bigger than the belt,' I don't know.

"It just doesn't seem like he's in the sport for the sport. He's just in it for the money. … But I love the glory, the legendary status of being a champion and winning belts and being the best guy out there. If he did that, the money is going to come regardless."

Said Mayweather Tuesday: "All these fighters get the belts that I gave up. When you are bigger than the sport, belts don't mean anything. He needs a belt … A belt means something to him."

Mosley says Mayweather's résumé doesn't stand up to call himself the best welterweight, let alone the best fighter overall.

"As a welterweight, he hasn't fought another top welterweight," Mosley said. "I'm the first one he's fought that's a world champion, so it makes the fight a big fight."

Mayweather said his work ethic is second to none, and it will show Saturday night: "The only thing I want to do is just be the best. I'll just continue to work hard, and I'm pretty sure Shane's in good condition. We're going to put on one (heck) of a show."

Source: usatoday.com

Mayweather-Mosley capturing widespread interest with US public -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

The welterweight battle between Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley is capturing wide public interest here in the United States. No question about it. The lobby of the MGM Grand was packed for the Grand Arrival of the two fighters on Tuesday afternoon – just as it was when Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao fought here in recent years – and protagonists Mayweather and Mosley had opposing ways of treating the melee. It might sound strange, but the mood on arrival, and the numbers turning out, has often reflected whether a fight has filtered out into the consciousness of the casual sports fan.

Mosley made a fleeting, perfunctory appearance before being ushered away to a VIP room off the lobby, where a phalanx of reporters awaited him. Mayweather simply soaked it all up, signing autographs for almost an hour before going through the same ritual with the media, although by the end of the news conference the unbeaten American welterweight dropped into a rambling monologue, sounding off about his own greatness and the lack of respect he is given. Plus ca change.

“When I beat him [Mosley], they are going to say he is old,” said Mayweather. “All these fighters get the belts that I gave up. When you are bigger than the sport, belts don’t mean anything. He needs a belt…A belt means something to him.

“All I can do is hope for the best. There is no limit to what we can do. The sky is not even the limit. If they did say a fight is going to do 700,000 homes, it will do something like 1.4 million. We can never predict a certain number. The ultimate goal is to always break records.”

Mayweather also returned to that recurring theme of his – USADA drug testing.

“There are all these athletes out there cheating. I am clean and pure. I know I am a clean athlete. I didn’t start taking vitamins until I was 30, so I know I am a clean athlete.

“You see so many different fighters going into comas and dying. All fighters are taking is a urine test. From what I hear, enhancement drugs are making these fighters punch harder and all it is doing is hurting the sport. I want to be able to separate the average from the good and from the great. I want to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary.”

Mosley was more circumspect. “I can box too. I have boxed guys I was supposed to punch out. This is what makes me Sugar Shane. Being able to box, being able to slip and slide, being able to do everything. Every time I fight, I’m looking to knock the guy out.

I don’t think I am going to spend the whole fight trying to outbox him. I am going to do everything Sugar Shane is supposed to do. Every fight has its own significance. This fight would be a great win. Beating Floyd would be a big feather in my cap.”

Mosley clearly fancies his chances of causing an upset. “He brings a lot of mouth and we’ll see what this mouth is about. He had to fight somebody if he wanted to be considered the best.

It’s not really what Floyd says or believes; it’s about what I believe. I see where he has slipped and I see some things where his body is beginning to go. But he doesn’t see that.

He has great defence. He’s a great fighter. That’s why we are looking at each other May 1. I am happy he accepted this challenge. Floyd says a lot of things that are sometimes out of line. I guess right now we are enemies. A lot of times when people say something that’s true it hurts. But then when they say something that isn’t true, it just rolls off your shoulder.

When they say those different things and I know they’re not the truth, I can’t change their mind. I know the truth.” On Saturday night, at the MGM Grand, we’ll find out just how good Mayweather is, and whether Mosley, the bigger man, has the power to unsettle the self-styled king of the ring.

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Mayweather makes Ali-like claim ahead of Mosley bout -- Reuters

By Kieran Mulvaney, Reuters

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has never lost a professional bout, made a Muhammad Ali-like claim on Tuesday, the former five-weight world champion declaring himself the world's best ever boxer.

"I don't care what fighter you're going to name, I'm the best," he told reporters ahead of his welterweight clash with fellow American Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Throw a name at me and I'll break his stats down. Whatever they've done I've done it quicker, with no."

While nobody from the media offered a name for comparison, Mayweather offered an appraisal of Ali, referencing his loss to Leon Spinks in 1978 for the world heavyweight title in his opponent's eighth fight.

"Leon Spinks with seven wins beat you?" said Mayweather, as if posing the question to Ali, who often declared himself 'the greatest'.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) not only anticipates victory over three-time champion Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) but said he would defeat every future opponent who challenged him.

"The ultimate goal in boxing right now is to find a fighter that can beat Floyd Mayweather," he said. "And it's not going to happen."

Despite winning every one of his professional contests, Mayweather said he still feels he has not received the credit he deserves.

He expressed bewilderment that the Boxing Writers Association of America recently voted Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, and not him, as Fighter of the Decade.
A proposed showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao fell through in January after the Filipino refused to yield to the American's demand for random blood testing within three weeks of the bout.

"How'd he get fighter of the decade and he got outboxed by Erik Morales (in a March 2005 loss) and had two knock-down, drag-out fights with Juan Manuel Marquez? I just don't get it," he said.

"All I did was constantly beat whoever they put in front of me ... I'm never going to get my just due. All these fighters they put in front of me, they've all been cake walks for me."

Mayweather, who won his first world title -- the WBC super featherweight crown in 1998 -- expects critics to be similarly dismissive should he emerge victorious against the 38-year-old Mosley this weekend.

But he said such criticism would be irrelevant when the time came to fight.

"I'm Floyd Mayweather," he said. "All the rest of them are just fighters."

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

© Thomson Reuters 2010 All rights reserved.

Source: ca.reuters.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Shane Mosley bout a rarity for boxing: It features two Americans -- Washington Post

By Gene Wang, The Washington Post

It's been more than 20 years since American boxing fans were regularly spoiled by exceptional fights between champions from the United States. The fighters were nearly unbeatable -- Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, to name three, lost just five of 151 fights, apart from the bouts between them, from 1973 through 1991.

Their contests were almost always available on broadcast TV, and the battles themselves were riveting.

Such prize fights don't happen anymore, but Saturday night's bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley is as close as it gets. And when it's over, American fight fans again might have an awfully long wait for another of its kind.

Mayweather (40-0), and to a lesser degree Mosley (46-5), represents the last of the iconic U.S. fighters. But Mayweather, 32, the undefeated six-time champion in five weight classes, probably is not long for the sport. Once his career concludes, boxing may have another lengthy wait for a similar American champion of his renown.

"You've had that in boxing forever," said legendary cornerman Angelo Dundee, whose pupils included Muhammad Ali and Leonard. "You had the era of Joe Louis, the [Rocky] Marciano, the Ali, the Ray Leonard, but you ain't going to have no more of those guys. You've got to forget it because there are no duplicates in the profession. They were unique. They were different."

In the past two decades, most promising young fighters have been foreign born.

With Manny Pacquiao at the top of the list, foreign-born fighters have dominated the sport, and thus the prominent matches in recent years have included at least one participant born outside the United States. Americans, meantime, have embraced football as their contact sport of choice, and the allure of exorbitant salaries in the NFL and NBA has diminished boxing's appeal among young athletes.

"Part of what has happened is the sport has proliferated a lot more throughout the Hispanic community than it has it has in any of the other communities, so you're finding more and more fighters that come from elsewhere," said Rock Newman, who managed former world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe.

Not since Mike Tyson has there been an American fighter who commanded equal and undivided attention from the boxing establishment and the casual fight fan. Years after his retirement, Tyson remains one of boxing's most recognized figures.

Following Tyson, Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Pernell Whitaker and Oscar De La Hoya, among others, carried the mantle for American boxing. None of them quite reached the eminence of their predecessors. They also did not have the network television exposure those past champions had, and that has contributed significantly to the decline of the consummate American fighter, according to industry experts.

Major boxing now is the exclusive property of cable giants Showtime and HBO, which is broadcasting Mayweather-Mosley on pay-per-view. Only they are permitted to show highlights from those bouts, and that monopoly has severely limited boxing's ability to attract a mass audience.

"You got to remember, we had a little guru by the name of Howard Cosell. He was a genius," Dundee said of the late ABC Sports broadcaster who, along with Ali, helped boxing achieve then-unprecedented levels of popularity in the 1970s. "The fans got to know the talent before they became professional. We don't have that now, so you can't pooh-pooh what's happening. You do the best you can with what you got."

During the 1970s and '80s, when prizefighting remained enthralling thanks to American talent in the non-heavyweight divisions, every major network featured boxing programming, including ABC's hugely popular "Wide World of Sports" with Cosell.


NBC, which showcased boxing on its "Cavalcade of Sports" during the 1940s and '50s, recently dabbled in boxing on national television with "The Contender" in 2005. The short-lived program, which was hosted by Leonard, chronicled the lives of aspiring professional boxers competing against one another in a tournament-style format. It was canceled after one season.

"I'll tell you something that's so dramatically missing from boxing in the U.S., and that is it is devoid of network television," Newman said.

"All three networks consistently had programming that fascinated people, that captured interest in the growth of young fighters, so by the time they reached the stature to fight on closed-circuit television or pay-per-view, they had audiences that had been cultivated through their journeys into their living rooms on network television. . . . It's a time-tested successful model that doesn't exist anymore. You don't find that appeal without that exposure."

Some of boxing's current promoters appear to be listening. Richard Schaefer, chief executive of De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, has said he plans to bring boxing to network television in the near future even though some analysts are predicting this fight, perhaps the most heavily promoted of all time, could set the record for pay-per-view buys.

"I believe this is the type of fight all fans around the world want to see," said Mosley, who has won titles in three weight classes.

Mayweather and Mosley can only hope their fight will evoke comparisons to some of the seminal bouts from decades ago, including Leonard-Hearns in 1981 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and Leonard-Hagler six years later at the same venue. The long-term viability of American boxing could be a casualty if it doesn't.

"Where you have quantity, quality comes. See, we haven't had quantity in the United States, the reason being we don't have the great amateur programs from when Muhammad was around, Leonard was around," Dundee said. "You had plenty of kids [involved in boxing]. College boxing was important. We don't have that no more.

"What's happening now is we've got Mayweather and Sugar Shane. That's going to create action. That's going to create activity. We'll have the next guy to fight Pacquiao, so these kind of fights are what gives you development."

Source: washingtonpost.com

Shane Mosley: Floyd Mayweather fights fighters at the right time -- Las Vegas Sun

By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun

Shane Mosley won’t accuse Floyd Mayweather Jr. of ducking opponents.

Mayweather will fight you, says Mosley — but only when you’ve become an older, distracted, less dangerous version of yourself.

“I think he was fighting fighters at the right time,” Mosley said. “At the end of their careers or when they were going through something in life. I think he was trying to get them all at the right time.”

When Mosley (46-5, 39 KO) enters the ring against Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO) on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, there are some who would say he’s fallen into that trap.

He’s 38 years old. He hasn’t fought in 15 months. His wife filed for divorce in 2009.

But when it’s pointed out to him that perhaps Mayweather took all those facts into consideration when he agreed to the fight in January, Mosley shows no concern.

In fact, he hopes it’s true.

“Maybe he believes that’s true,” said Mosley, on whether or not he’s past his prime. “Maybe that’s why the fight is taking place.

“But I know that’s not true. It’s not what Floyd believes, or thinks or says. I don’t care about all that. I care about what I believe, what I think and what I can do in the ring.”

Whether Mosely’s age or personal life will hinder him on Saturday, there’s no question fans will likely see the most motivated version of the fighter in his 17-year professional career.

As the world clamored for a matchup between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Mosley found himself on the outside looking in as arguably the No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

He wanted one of the two. Either of the two.

So, when asked if it was fate that a potential fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao fell through at nearly the same time Andre Berto pulled out of a scheduled bout with him, Mosley can’t help but smile.

“God always has a plan,” Mosley said. “God’s the best planner there is.”

Mosley’s lobbying for a mega-fight between one of the top two fighters in the world was never more obvious than on Sept. 19 last year.

As a representative of Golden Boy Promotions, Mosley entered the ring following Mayweather’s unanimous decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The two fighters then got into a confrontation when it became obvious Golden Boy was looking to promote Mosley as Mayweather’s next opponent.

Mosley caught some heat from the events of that night, as Mayweather’s advisor Leonard Ellerbe accused him of looking ‘desperate.’

However Mosley has insisted what happened was nothing he had planned before stepping into the ring.

“I think that I went over this already a couple times and I’m not sure if you guys are getting the picture,” Mosley said. “I am a part of Golden Boy Promotions, that’s the reason I was in the ring. The reason why I said something to him was because he called me over. He welcomed me into the conversation and that’s when I said what I did.”

Now that he has the matchup he wanted, Mosley has done everything he could to prepare himself both physically and mentally to take advantage of the opportunity.

Mosley understands that many watching Saturday’s fight, including the judges, will assume he’ll use his strength and aggression to make Mayweather uncomfortable.

While he does plan on using those qualities to his advantage, he’s mapped out a game plan that won’t set an early standard for the judges to score by and potentially hurt his chances in the later rounds.

“I never want to get into a situation where I say, ‘I’m going to pressure this guy,’ and then I have to go in the ring and live up to pressuring him for the whole 12 rounds,” Mosley said. “Because if I don’t pressure him, they’ll say, ‘Oh, something must be wrong because he’s not pressing him, so Floyd won the round.’

“I can box too. I’ve out-boxed guys I was supposed to knock out. This is what makes me ‘Sugar’ Shane, — being able to box, being able to punch, being able to slip and slide and do everything that boxing requires.”

If Mosley’s plan works, he’ll solidify his spot in boxing history Saturday. And he knows it.

As big as it was for his career when he became just the second man to defeat Oscar De La Hoya in 2000, becoming the first to ever beat Mayweather would trump it.

“Every fight has its own significance, but this would be a great win,” Mosley said. “It would definitely be a feather in my cap if I beat Floyd Mayweather.”

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.

Source: lasvegassun.com

Richardson on Mosley's training -- FOXNews

FoxSports

FOXSports.com will be speaking to Shane Mosley's trainer Naazim Richardson each week before the May 1 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (HBO Pay-Per-View). This is the second of a two-part series. Part I

FOXSports.com: How's training going?

Richardson: We're dotting the I's and criossing the T's. We're closing everything out and getting ready for the 1st. Keeping Shane sharp. You know he has a high boxing IQ. Keeping all of that sharp. Making sure he gets the proper rest.

FOXSports.com: Have you ever had to tell Shane to dial it back in training?

Richardson: All the time. He's a dream for a trainer to work with. Sometimes you have to tell him to even eat.

FOXSports.com: How big a problem are distractions?

Richardson: You can't allow it. We got a lot of the cameras and different things. But when you have a guy who's focused, he knows what to do in the ring. You can't teach special.

FOXSports.com: How has your training changed for this fight compared to the Antonio Margarito fight?

Richardson: We realize it's going to be a faster fight. There will be opportunities. They won't linger. The window will close up on them. So we have to take advantage of them. If we can pick it up and maybe get to the guy by the sixth or seventh round. We have to go get it because they may not be there.

FOXSports.com: How do you see your role in the bout? Will you be more of an emotional influence or providing tactical advice?

Richardson: The bottom line is I can't ask this of my fighter and not be prepared. I'm going to have to make changes. It's going to be a difficult fight.

FOXSports.com: Will this fight be a typical Mayweather tactical bout or will it be more aggressive, physical?

Richardson: He's a defensive-first fighter. You can't change that. You know you study him, everybody sees that. I can't let it be a surprise to me if he comes out aggressive. You can't say we weren't prepared.

FOXSports.com: Would a win be good enough to win or do you want to make a bigger statement?

Richardson: It's a combination of a partnership. In this partnetship, I don't get the luxury to just make a statement. I have to design a plan. I try to prepare my guy to win 14 rounds. In case they implement a new rule. I want my guy to be ready. I have to think like that. At the same time, I'm training Shane to be like a viking. Vikings didn't take prisoners. Bottom line, he's going to try to knock the guy's head off.

Source: foxnews.com

Shane Mosley: Ready for War -- AllHipHop

By Ismael AbduSalaam, AllHipHop.com

You’ve seen the 24/7 episodes. Read the extensive interviews here with trainers Naazim Richardson and Roger Mayweather. But just 5 days from now, all the hype and opinions cease, and welterweight champion Shane Mosley will seek to seal his legacy by being the first man to defeat Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

After dismantling Antonio Margarito nearly 16 months ago, Mosley became the avoided man at welterweight, with writers proclaiming him as the man Floyd Mayweather would never face. Now that the fight is signed, the boxing press and many fans have done a 180, stating due to Shane’s age, inactivity and alleged lack of ring acumen, Mayweather will be the man that’s victorious on May 1. None of that matters to Shane, who spent that last several months with his sole focus on the legacy-altering showdown this Saturday.
Whoever you believe or blame for the fight not happening in the late 90s at lightweight, or in 2006 in welterweight, no one can dispute that no time but now would Mayweather-Mosley be as huge as it is now.

AllHipHop.com: I know you can’t reveal everything that’s going down, but talk about what you’ve been focusing on now in camp being that things are now winding down.

Mosley: I’m just working on being comfortable and being the best Sugar Shane Mosley when I get to the ring. I know I have speed and power, and I’m making sure I use those things because that’s what it’s going to be all about [to get the victory].

AllHipHop.com: This isn’t you’re first superfight, but with all the hype with 24/7 and the drug testing, would you say this is your biggest professional fight ever?

Mosley: Yeah this is a pretty big event. The fights with Oscar [De la Hoya] got me to this point. And this one will solidify my spot in history and make my legacy.

AllHipHop.com: Have your sparring partners been able to replicate Mayweather’s style well?

Mosley: Thanks to Naazim [Richardson] he’s putting 3 or 4 different guys to build Mayweather’s fight style. One focuses on one part of Mayweather’s style, and the next comes in and does another. But the problem is there is no other Mayweather, because if there was he’d be fighting for the championship right now.

AllHipHop.com: I brought this up with Naazim, but I wanted to give you the chance to speak on it. The big rumor for the past week is that you have been looking bad in sparring. What are your thoughts on that?

Mosley: That’s not true, but if people want to believe that they’re entitled to. I don’t know where they would get that rumor from since I train at my house behind closed doors [laughs]. But that’s not accurate at all though.

AllHipHop.com: A big criticism of you has always been that you can’t adjust tactics in the ring. Even in our last interview, you admitted that sometimes it costs you when you push for the knockout too much, like in the Miguel Cotto fight. How are you sure now with Mayweather that won’t be the case, and is the previous criticism valid that you have no diversity in your offense and defense?

Mosley: Well if you look at my fight history you see that I do different things. Even in the fights that I score knockouts it’s been with my right and left hand. I can also move and box or I can punch. I can do everything! That’s the difference between me and other fighters; I’m not just some one trick pony.

AllHipHop.com: Naazim speaks very highly of you and ranks you among the best fighters he’s ever trained. How does he compare to some of the other trainers you’ve had like your father Jack?

Mosley: Naazim is a strategist, and comes up with different ways to beat guys. One way you can tell a great trainer is if they’ve brought up guys from the grass roots, what they can build from the beginning. Not just getting someone when they are up the top of their game and saying “oh I built this champion,” when they already were great. Greatness shows when you get someone that just walks into the gym and you build him from there. Naazim has done that. He’s brought his son up to being an Olympian and then a professional. And then you see what he’s done with Bernard Hopkins and me. So you can see from that that Naazim is a great trainer.

AllHipHop.com: You felt confident in a knockout of Margarito before that fight last year. Do you have a hunch on how you expect the Mayweather fight to go?

Mosley: I think it’s going to be a technical fight. But I think my speed will give him problems [the most]. He’s been fighting a lot of guys that are a lot slower and smaller than him. These guys have been either lightweights or junior welterweights [Writers note: the opponents referenced are Mayweather’s last two opponents: Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez]. The guys I’ve been fighting are welter and junior middleweights. Shit, Winky Wright right now can fight at super-middleweight! These guys I fight have been big boys, while Mayweather’s guys are kind of small. [That’s a] big difference.

AllHipHop.com: Being undefeated has become a big thing in boxing. Do you place more blame on the fighters like Mayweather who harp on that, or the media and television networks?

Mosley: I think it might be more of the media. The great fighters are the ones who lose and come back from adversity. And that’s how you can tell where they are at mentally. You can’t really tell from a person who wins every fight, and frankly I don’t think Mayweather has won all of them. I’ve watched the tapes of a few where he might have lost and it was given to him. So that claim can be kind of questionable.

AllHipHop.com: You’re on record as stating the Olympic drug testing has not been a hindrance to training. Instinct-wise from what you’ve seen in this sport and experienced personally with the BALCO scandal, are steroids widespread or just something done by a select few in the sport?

Mosley: I think that in boxing it’s not a big deal. I think people from other sports are infiltrating into the boxing world and trying to figure out ways to make fighters stronger. So the testing is good to block these strengthening trainers from using substances. That’s the problem in the sport.

AllHipHop.com: You’re good friends with Manny Pacquiao, and there has been criticism his way for not taking the drug tests. Do you feel his reasons are genuine and he should get the benefit of the doubt, or do you think people have legit reasons to be suspicious?

Mosley: I really don’t know and can’t speak for Pacquiao. [Pauses] I can’t say what he really believes. But I don’t think he’d jeopardize his career and put himself in that position.

AllHipHop.com: Before the Berto fight, you told me you had been watching tapes of Roberto Duran’s fights with Edwin Viruet, and gotten some ideas. Have you been watching any past legends and gotten any ideas of how to go at Mayweather?

Mosley: I’ve been watching a lot of Sugar Ray Leonard. I watched the fight of him and Floyd’s father.

[Writer’s Note: Leonard TKO’d Floyd Mayweather, Sr. in 1978]. It’s always good watching Roberto Duran against other fighters, the way he goes about it. You can learn from the older fighters. Back then, they fought hard and for pride. Tommy Hearns and guys like that.

AllHipHop.com: You brought up Winky Wright earlier. If you would have gotten past him, there was a fight waiting with Felix Trinidad. That would have been a great fight. How would you have approached that bout circa 2004?

Mosley: Probably like Winky did, just outbox him. Trinidad was a very hard puncher with the left hook, but you see how Oscar did, you can outbox him. I might have been able to put him on the floor a few times with the power.

AllHipHop.com: There’s the speed advantage, too.

Mosley: Yeah, speed of the hand and foot. And the timing is there with me.

AllHipHop.com: You, Pacquiao, and Mayweather are the top guys at welterweight. Even though we don’t have a 4th guy, it reminds me of the Fab Four of Leonard, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler in the 80’s. Can you see that happening where you 3 all end up fighting each other?

Mosley: It could happen that way. You have one willing fighter [in me], maybe two [in Pacquiao]. We just need the other one to get into it as well. That would help boxing and get it on the plane it’s supposed to be on.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve said that after you beat Mayweather he’s going to go into retirement. Based on that statement, do you believe Mayweather doesn’t have the mentality to come back from defeat based on how important his undefeated record is to him?

Mosley: That is yet to be seen, even though I’ve said different things about knocking him out. We’ll see what he does after May 1.

AllHipHop.com: Thanks for your time champ and good luck on fight night.

Mosley: No problem and thank you.

Source: allhiphop.com

For Floyd Mayweather Jr., the ring is a refuge -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Las Vegas

Making sense of Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not an easy task, but meeting him in the gym is a good place to start.

"The reason you see him in here all the time, that comes from growing up having a rough life," Mayweather's close friend and assistant trainer Nate Jones said recently, standing atop the canvas in the boxer's private gym northwest of the Las Vegas Strip. "Life was unstable at his home. So coming in the gym, boxing, made him feel at home. At peace."

There's little peace around Mayweather, 33, who'll put his 40-0 record on the line Saturday night in a welterweight bout against Pomona's Shane Mosley at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Sitting on metal chairs outside the gym's front door, some of Mayweather's seven bodybuilder bodyguards engage in a sexually graphic conversation with another member of Mayweather's inner circle.

"They're here to prevent situations, and there's always situations, because Floyd is a walking target," Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe says of the musclemen. Are they packing something beyond human strength? Ellerbe lets go a slight grin and a raised eyebrow.

Better to keep it on silent. Last week, Ocie Harris, a former associate of Mayweather, was indicted on felony charges including attempted murder for allegedly firing a gun last year at a man who reportedly had a verbal run-in with the boxer at a skating rink in Las Vegas. A police report indicated Mayweather might have influenced the gunfire. "All hearsay," Ellerbe said.

But having a big posse around is part of Mayweather's comfort zone. "We all get a paycheck on time, the 25 or more guys around here and his family," Jones said. "Floyd has a good heart. He doesn't need all these guys, but he's told me, ‘How can I tell them no, and make them go back to their families without any money?' He cares."

Contradictions abound around the boxer.

Asked to identify the roots of his success, Mayweather says, "Something I was born with. My mother and father are winners."

Minutes later, Floyd Mayweather Sr. explains, "His mother was on drugs every day, so I took my son into the gym and did the best I could with him," letting a wide smile emerge, "as you can see."

Those trips weren't always pleasant for the young Mayweather, who once told Floyd Sr. he was tiring of wearing big boots and lifting barbells. "You don't need the boots or barbells?" his father barked. "You don't got to fight anymore, either!"

"I let him know what it takes. I didn't overdo nothing," Floyd Sr. says. "And guess what? He came out smelling like a rose."

By the time Floyd Jr. was 16, however, his father was jailed for selling drugs. "I did what I did to make things better for my family," Mayweather Sr. explains in unflinching reflection. "I got him to the boxing gym every day until I got locked up. I did my best. There ain't no perfect person in this world."

Mayweather Jr. hates losing, which he last experienced in a decision to a Bulgarian fighter in Atlanta's 1996 Olympics. "Wounds heal," he said when asked what has kept him so dedicated to boxing and his unbeaten pro record, "but it could've been that bronze medal in the Olympics."

And look where Mayweather is now, with a legacy that includes 25 knockouts and victories over Oscar De La Hoya (in the most lucrative boxing match in history) and several other former world champions.

He briefly "retired" from the sport in 2008, but said he couldn't resist "coming to the gym, seeing the guys, doing some floor work, sparring a few rounds, getting in shape. I figured, ‘I might as well get back to what I'm best at.' "

Now comes Mosley, 38, the most skilled and powerful fighter Mayweather has ever faced. He'll earn another eight-figure payday for the bout, but his uncle/trainer Roger Mayweather says, "It's not about the money. This is the fight he needs. This one will say to the world: ‘This proves how good I am.' "

Mayweather has been noticeably edgy in preparing for Mosley. He has denied most visitors access inside his gym and has extended training days.

"I visualize what my opponent is doing," Mayweather Jr. said. "If I think he's sparring six rounds, I'm going to do 10 or 12. If he's running 3 ½ miles, I'm running 5 ½, 6. I want to out-do him in every category, so when it's crunch time, I'm outperforming him again. I must be doing something right."

Floyd Sr. envisions victory on Saturday, reminding, "You cannot get through that defense. I taught [Floyd Jr.] that defense." For good measure, he stokes the drama hovering over camp about Roger, who faces a criminal trial for allegedly beating and choking a woman boxer last year. If Roger gets convicted and jailed, would Floyd Sr. take over as trainer?

"I can't feel bad for him," Floyd Sr. says about his brother, Roger, a few feet away. "Floyd's better with his dad. The dad and kid should come together. Father knows best."

This is the Mayweathers in their element, and Floyd Jr. only has one more thing to add about the Mosley fight before he steps into the ring for another sparring session.

"Cakewalk, man" he says. "Remember I told you that."

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

Source: latimes.com

Roger Mayweather: 'I Don't Think Floyd's Going To Fight Much Longer' -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Although trainer, Roger Mayweather, is confident that Floyd Mayweather will emerge victorious from Saturday night's clash with Shane Mosley, he is not necessarily among those who believes his nephew will stop the WBA welterweight (147 pounds) champion in their HBO pay per view-televised bout.

"Yes I would be surprised," Roger Mayweather responded when asked during a live chat with Michael David Smith of FanHouse on Tuesday if he would be surprised if Floyd Jr. knocked out Mosley in the eighth or ninth round.

"My nephew is a well-skilled boxer, a great counter-puncher, and a great defensive fighter," said Roger Mayweather. "But Shane Mosley isn't a guy who is going to go out there and lay down. He's fought guys who punch harder than my nephew."

Roger Mayweather pointed out, however, that Floyd Mayweather's general talents -- not just his speed -- are what makes him, perhaps, boxing's best fighter, pound-for-pound.

"One thing people don't understand about boxing is that speed doesn't make you a great boxer. Skill is what makes you a great boxer, not how much speed or power you have," said Roger Mayweather.

"You have to have it all," said Roger Mayweather. "When Muhammad Ali got beat by Joe Frazier, it wasn't that Joe Frazier had more speed than Muhammad Ali, it was that he boxed better."

Perhaps the funniest thing Roger Mayweather may have said was in response to what worried him most about Mosley.

"Probably whether he passes the [drug] test and comes out clean, instead of coming out dirty. But I'm just worried about winning," said Roger Mayweather, making a referance to the fact that both fighters are being randomly tested for steroids by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

But then, Roger Mayweather got serious.

"I'd have to say that [drugs] are a big problem now. It wasn't big when I was fighting, but it's big now. That's all I hear about. All these guys taking this, all these guys taking that. That's what we have to have the tests for," said Mayweather.

"These tests allow guys not to have to take anything because they know the other guy won't be taking anything," said Mayweather. "If a guy is dirty and is winning fights and isn't getting tested, something is wrong. Guys shouldn't be allowed to get away with taking drugs. That's what the test is for."

The 33-year-old Floyd Mayweather takes a record of 40-0, with 25 knockouts into his match up with the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), who ranks as the largest, and, perhaps most physically powerful and imposing opponent that Mayweather has ever faced.

"Eventually Floyd will lose because everyone loses eventually," wrote one chatter, who asked Mayweather, "When he does [lose,] how do you think he will react to that?"

"Why would you say everybody loses? Rocky Marciano didn't lose. He fought a bunch of old dudes but he didn't lose. Not everybody has to lose," said Roger Mayweather. "But it's not all about whether he loses. He has already done great, no matter what else he does. Not many guys have won six world championships like Floyd has."

Mosley is coming off of January's ninth-round knockout of Antonio Margarito, stopping the hard-punching Mexican fighter for the first time in his career and dethroning him as WBA titlist.

A former IBF lightweight champion, Mosley has fought at welterweight or higher exclusively since relinquishing his lightweight belt in 1999, including seven bouts at junior middleweight (154 pounds), and one other at 148 pounds -- an April, 2005 decision over David Estrada.

At junior middleweight, Mosley has twice stopped former world champion, Fernando Vargas, knocked out former world titlist, Ricardo Mayorga, and earned his second win over former world champ, Oscar de la Hoya -- the latter for the WBC and WBA crowns in September of 2003.

Mosley also twice lost to Winky Wright at 154 pounds.

Mayweather has fought at welterweight five times, and, once as a junior middleweight, weighing 150 pounds against the 154-pound de la Hoya during his May, 2007 split-decision victory.

Mayweather's welterweight victories were knockouts of Sharmba Mitchell and Ricky Hatton, and decisions over Zab Judah,
Carlos Baldomir, and, Juan Manuel Marquez, with Marquez, and, Hatton, respectively, rising from lightweight (135 pounds), and, junior welterweight (140 pounds) to face him.

Roger Mayweather said that he doesn't believe that his nephew has much time left in the sport, and that retirement may be closer than most people realize.

"I don't think he's going to fight that much longer. Floyd has had a tremendous career. I don't think he has much to prove. He's already the greatest fighter in the world, and has several world championships," said Mayweeather.

"So Floyd can retire and be remembered as one of the greatest fighters ever," said Mayweather. "For him, anything else he does is just another step in achieving greatness, retiring as the greatest fighter ever."



Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. turns playing the villain into pay-per-view gold -- New York Daily News

By Tim Smith, New York Daily News

If Floyd Mayweather Jr. had a handlebar mustache, it's a good bet that he would be twirling the ends while sneering. Mayweather loves to play the villain - at least when it comes to boxing.

Because Mayweather considers himself an entertainer, it is a role that he plays with relish. It is also a role that has made him the biggest pay-per-view attractions in the sport today.

Once again Mayweather has donned the black hat in the build up for his 12-round welterweight showdown with Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on HBO PPV on Saturday night. Mayweather has needled Mosley about the fighter's relationship with his ex-wife, Jin; tweaked him about revelations that he once used steroids and belittled Mosley's business partnership with Oscar De La Hoya, whom Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) beat twice.

"Somebody's got to be the bad guy and somebody's got to be the good guy," Mayweather said. "I might as well be the bad guy."

In his case Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) knows that being the bad guy pays huge dividends. As he points out Mosley, one of the
most congenial men in boxing, has played the good guy his entire career and what has it gotten him? The role of second fiddle to De La Hoya and Mayweather, whom he now faces in one of the most lucrative boxing PPV shows in the non-heavyweight divisions.

In Mayweather's mind being the villain insures that as many people will tune in to see him get beaten as will watch to see him win. It doesn't matter to him whether he wins friends as long as the cash register keeps on ringing. It is an age old formula that was perfected by the wrestler Gorgeous George, whom Muhammad Ali generously borrowed from when he was first starting out. There was a reason Ali was known as "The Louisville Lip."

In six HBO PPV fights Mayweather has generated 5.5 million buys and $292 million in revenue, according to figures from HBO Sports. While Oscar De La Hoya has generated the most total buys and revenue of anyone in history due to fighting 19 times on PPV, Mayweather's average revenue per PPV fight is the highest of all time (over $48 million per fight).

"Floyd is a pay-per-view phenomenon," said Mark Taffet, HBO PPV guru. "With his six fights having generated $292 million in pay-per-view revenue, there's a reason he is called Money Mayweather.

"His prolific performance has been the result of a few factors which simultaneously created a perfect storm - his crossover from boxing to sports to entertainment star, the explosive growth in internet and social media, and the spillover across all demographics from the surge of interest in the large urban centers across America."

Mayweather helped gain mainstream exposure in a turn on "Dancing With the Stars" and was involved in a plot line for Wrestlemania and the WWE.

Just when it appeared that Mayweather's star outside of boxing was on the rise, he retired from the sport in 2008. But even that brief hiatus from boxing worked in Mayweather's favor. While he was gone, Manny Pacquiao ascended to the throne of No. 1 Pound-for-Pound, setting the stage for a lucrative showdown with Mayweather. The first attempt was scuttled when Pacquiao refused to agree to pre-fight testing for performance enhancing drugs. But if Mayweather beats Mosley, the demand for a fight with Pacquiao will go through the roof.

Nothing seems to have bolstered Mayweather's star power more than his appearances on "24/7" HBO's boxing reality documentary. The lead up to his fight against Mosley was Mayweather's fourth appearance on the show and each time Mayweather and his family are the most riveting characters.

But this might be the first time that the fight inside the ring will match the drama presented on the boxing reality show. Mosley, who holds the WBA welterweight title, is one of the best 147-pounders of this generation and arguably the best boxer that Mayweather has ever faced. The anticipation in this match is that Mosley will force Mayweather to raise the level of his game or risk suffering the first loss of his career.

"As far as the fight goes, Mayweather-Mosley is a true PPV megafight," Taffet said. "It's a classic all-American showdown between two superstars who boxing fans have seen nearly 50 times over the past 15 years on HBO. It is a Super Bowl in the urban centers across America, and it will be one of the biggest non-heavyweight fights in pay-per-view history."

Many of them will tune in to see if the good guy, Mosley, can bring down the villain, Mayweather.

Source: nydailynews.com

Floyd Mayweather: Shane Mosley deserves jail time over lies under oath about steroids -- Grand Rapids Press

By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press

LAS VEGAS -- If Shane Mosley wanted the Mayweathers’ steroid rants to dissipate, he might have taken the wrong tack in telling a Los Angeles radio station last week that Floyd Mayweather might have “dabbled” in steroids and that the Grand Rapids native’s security team appears to be filled with steroid-riddled bodyguards.

The response Monday was as strong as ever.

Mayweather suggested Mosley lied to a grand jury during the BALCO investigation three years ago by saying he unwittingly used steroids, saying Mosley knew exactly what he was doing and deserved the same fate as former track star Marion Jones, who served six months for lying to federal agents in the same investigation.

“We do know this: We know that Shane lies under oath,” Mayweather said. “So we know one thing that is going to happen. If Marion Jones went to jail, we know that Shane is going to jail. That's one thing we do know he's going to do. He's going to do some time."

Mayweather bristled at Mosley’s remarks and said he doesn’t know whether his rival in Saturday’s welterweight showdown -- whose leaked grand jury testimony included an admission that he used steroids before winning his 2003 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya -- ever has won a big fight without performance-enhancing substances.

"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion,” Mayweather said. “Why would I bring USADA to the table, why would I bring the Olympic drug committee to the table, if I'm doing something? Why would I want to bust myself? That doesn't make sense.

“Then, I heard he spoke on my security, about them doing steroids. Why is you snitching? Why is you trying to put everybody on your steroid team? Like I said before, we don't really know how many fights Shane has won, being clean. We don't know. Has he ever been clean? Do we know? No, we don't know."

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

Floyd Mayweather: 'We don't know' how often Shane Mosley has been clean in the ring

Source: mlive.com

Floyd Mayweather's transformation includes more focus on family, tweaks in training sessions -- Grand Rapids Press

By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press

LAS VEGAS -- More than 5,000 days -- 5,016, to be exact -- have passed since Floyd Mayweather’s last loss, on a disputed decision in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

So much has changed for him, personally and professionally, in the years since, which have included 40 professional victories, pound-for-pound acclaim, world championships in five weight divisions, participation in the richest fight in history, and vast personal riches.

He rarely smiles during a training session, save for when son Koraun, oldest of his four children, comes within sight.

“I think he could be a tremendous fighter,” he said Monday. “But as far as being a fighter like me? I can't say. I don't know what the future holds. Do I steer him? Do I want him to be a fighter? If he does, I want him to be trained by my father. That's where I started from and you always want to go back to the beginning."

He was more interested in talking about the award his daughter, Jirah, received last week for making straight A’s.

"The main thing that I want my children to focus on right now is school,” he said. “That's the thing that's most important right now."

The Mayweather the general public sees is the bombastic personality flashing $100 bills in enormous stacks and trash-talking opponents.

He always has been a different person outside the ring, but moreso now, at age 33, than ever before.

“In camp, I'm Money Mayweather,” he said. “My father is Floyd Joy. My uncle is the Black Mamba. We've all got a character. We're in the entertainment business. We're in the entertainment business, but once we go home, we're just like everybody else. We love our family, we go through ups, we go through downs, but we're some strong individuals and we can survive through anything."

The changes have spilled over into how he approaches training, too.

"When you're 21, 22, it's a little different,” he said. “When you're 21, 22, even though you're in training camp, you're going out clubbing. I didn't have no vice but you're going out clubbing and, in the last three weeks, the last two weeks, you're in the house, just chilling. But now the main thing is just coming to the gym, doing my job, just going home, watching basketball. Just living life. And the main thing in living life is being happy. So that's the main thing, just staying in the house."

Mayweather fights Shane Mosley in an important welterweight clash Saturday night at MGM Grand.

Mosley has not fought since defeating Antonio Margarito on Jan. 24, 2009, and the layoff of more than 15 months is the longest of his career. His previous longest layoff was 10 1/2 months, between a 2007 loss to Miguel Cotto and a 2008 victory over Ricardo Mayorga.

Mayweather is fighting for the first time since a win last September over Juan Manuel Marquez, when he ended a 21 1/2-month layoff.

He said that fight “was to get the cobwebs off” and he has felt sharper during this camp -- in part because his father, Floyd Sr., has played such an prominent part in refocusing him on jabbing and defense.

“I think my father, in the last two camps, has played a major role,” he said. “Like the defense, there's no fighter that can break through my defense, no matter what is said, no matter what you try. It's a defense that can't be broken. When I go out there, there's no pressure on me, because I know that I put the hard work in in the gym. I know that I've got the best coaches, I've got the best team, and I think when you work hard, the only thing you're going to get is great results."

Mayweather gravitated away from using his jab over a period of several years when his father was not in the camp and his uncle Roger was the sole trainer. While Roger Mayweather remains the head trainer, the fighter refers to his uncle and father as “my trainers” now.

"He never jabbed as much as he jabbed with Marquez,” Mayweather Sr. said. “I'm telling him the same thing right now. Keep it in the center of the ring and use your jab. The jab is the key to boxing. If you use your jab, everything else comes off of it -- the hook, the right hand, the uppercut, whatever you've got to throw, it comes off the jab. It's like opening your door.”

Mayweather Sr. also expressed skepticism that Mosley can find a way to penetrate hs son’s defense.

“Can't nobody hardly get through that,” he said. “I have never seen nobody get through it. He's got to get through that first. The only way he can hit Little Floyd is with something lucky."

The younger Mayweather has persevered through 40 fights and more than 5,000 days -- 14-plus years -- of ring perfection because, he said, each training camp is “about pushing yourself harder and harder.”

"When you strive to be the best, you know what it takes,” he said. “And I know what it takes. Like I've said before, I'm trying to leave my mark in the sport of boxing. I'm a part of history. And you don't do that without working hard."

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

Source: mlive.com