By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
NEW YORK-- When Shane Mosley, looks across the ring at eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, for their May 7, Showtime pay per view televised clash at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, the three-division, five-time titlist will see a version of himself in the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) belt-holder.
Mosley earned the IBF's lightweight (135 pounds) title in August of 1997, defended that crown with eight consecutive knockouts, scored two more stoppages as a welterweight, and then, split-decisioned Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC's 147-pound belt in June of 2000
Mosley also earned the WBA and WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belts by unanimously decisioning De La Hoya in September of 2003.
Pacquiao earned his record eighth crown in November, when he unanimously decisioned Antonio Margarito for the WBC junior middleweight crown, which he has since vacated.
"I do see myself in him. I think that he's a warrior and that he comes to fight, and he's fighting everybody," said the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), who will try to end a 13-bout winning streak that includes eight knockouts by the 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs).
"Manny's got great class, and he's a humble person, but he does his talking with his fists. He's moving up in weight classes and beating guys down. He's a great fighter," said Mosley. "Like [Mosley's trainer] Nazim Richardson said, they're starting to mention him as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 of all times as a fighter. So beating this man will definitely put me up there in the history books."
Mosley spoke during a Monday, New York press conference while surrounded by more than 150-or-so international media members at the Chelsea Pier No. 61, an event that marked the third stop in a four-city tour promoting their clash that is being promoted by Top Rank Promotions.
On Thursday, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum counted a throng of 300 or so reporters who attended a similar affair at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and, on Saturday, another was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Following Monday's gathering at Chelsea Pier, Pacquiao was hustled onto a train headed for Washington, D.C., along with some 40-or-so media personnell, including those from CNN, CBS, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, Playboy, and The Examiner.
On Tuesday, Pacquiao and Mosley will be welcomed on the floor of the United States Senate as a guest of Nevada Senator, Harry Reid.
"I'm looking at this press conference right here, and, you know, fighting Manny is a big fight. This is pretty big," said Mosley.
"When we were in Los Angeles,that was a big press conference, and then, again, when we were in Las Vegas," said Mosley. "Top Rank is putting a great deal of effort into this promotion, and this is finally coming true for me. I mean, it's happening."
Pacquiao has taken criticism for facing Mosley, who lost May's lopsided, unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather and struggled in September's junior middleweight draw with ex-champion Sergio Mora.
But in facing Pacquiao, who twice failed to negotiate a deal to face Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions, Mosley believes that he won't have as difficult a time finding a man who comes to fight and anticipates what could be a toe-to-toe affair.
"I'm pretty sure that Manny will be a lot easier to find than Mayweather was. I'm not saying that he'll be an easier fight. But it might be an easier fight for me because of the styles, but not for other people," said Mosley.
"He doesn't really remind me of anybody that I've fought before, but, you know, I've been in with some sparring sessions with guys who throw a lot of punches and who are very consistent and who are very determined," said Mosley. "It's kind of like I know his style, and I know his personality. I know his will to win, and so, that means that this fight is going to be a great fight."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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