Boxing is as unpredictable as the weather in this global warming era. One minute it rains down on you. The next minute the sun is 
lighting up your day. The prospect of Floyd "Money" Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) facing off against "Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) could be one of those shining moments.
That we may get there at the expense of Mayweather-Pacquiao and Mosley-Berto is unfortunate. That we may get there at all temporarily ceases the buzz-kill that was the Mayweather-Pacquiao debacle.
If they meet, it’s arguably the biggest and best fight that the welterweight division has to offer. It surely beats Pacquiao-Clottey. Don’t get me wrong, the latter is a decent scrap. But I have a hard time paying (PPV) for a fight that pits the "Pac Man" against the man (Clottey) who just lost to the man (Cotto) that he just destroyed.
I couldn’t help but italicize all of the coulds, mays and ifs in this post. Forgive my cynicism nowadays, in the wake of Mayweather-Pacquiao. Also, cut me some slack if I am not convinced that the "Pretty Boy" really wants to take on the considerable risk that is Shane Mosley at 147 pounds. In fact, I think a fight with Mosley is actually more difficult than one with Pacquiao.
Who Wins The Fight?
Obviously, I will share my official prediction a few weeks leading up to the fight. But just in case the fight does not take place, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts. Shane Mosley’s natural (and enhanced…just kidding) physical strength will present problems for Mayweather. Add in Mosley’s well-rounded boxing ability, and you have a potentially nightmare matchup for Mayweather.
Mayweather counters with his usual advantages in defense, hand and foot speed. The last quality will be the key to a Mayweather win. At this point of his illustrious career, Mosley simply does not have fresh enough legs to keep Mayweather cornered nor to set consistent traps.
We’ve been burned already this year but let’s keep hope alive that Floyd Mayweather meets Shane Mosley this spring. I need it in order to have a superfight to post about. Mayweather needs it to prove that he’s willing to take on tougher challenges than former lightweights and junior welterweights. And boxing needs it because the failed Mayweather-Pacquiao fight had the sport feeling like a wet food stamp.
Editor’s Note: My thoughts and prayers go out to Andre Berto, his family and his recovering homeland of Haiti. To all my fans and followers, please do whatever you can to help the cause.
While I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a Mosely vs. Mayweather fight, I don’t believe for one second it will actually happen. This fight could have been made numerous times in the past and for some reason it never has materialized. While I have me own thoughts as to why, I’ll leave that for what it is.
With that said, I believe the most likely, and most logical fight for Mayweather is Kermit Cintron. Cintron presents the big, strong welterweight opponent that could silence the critics who say Mayweather avoids those fighters. He also presents a real threat to Mayweather ‘if’ he can connect. The problem there, and the reason I feel Mayweather will take this fight, is that Mayweather should box circles around Cintron. He is by far the quicker, slicker, more polished fighter. Cintron just beat Alfredo Angulo and has reclaimed his status among the elite at 154 and 147. A fight against Cintron at 147 (or even a catch weight of maybe 145) would position Floyd perfectly. Again, while a Mosely vs. Mayweather fight would be nice, I don’t see it happening. Let’s make a fight that is ready for the signing. I’m positive Cintron would jump at the opportunity to fight Money so…let’s make it happen!
@Jose: In fact, Kermit Cintron is the most logical choice. I agree. However, I think the Pacquiao fight fallout was so unique and troubling that Mayweather may depart from his (recent) minimal risk, maximum reward modus operandi when it comes to match-making. I think Mayweather-Mosley will be his attempt to one-up the Pacquiao-Clottey matchup by showing that he 1) will out-draw Pacquiao on PPV – this fight would certainly do that based on his recent PPV sales and 2) have an admitted PED user, in Mosley, perform a battery of tests that Pac Man would not do (this is the most interesting aspect to me; that is, if Mosley is subjected to the same random blood testing as Money asked of Pac Man).
still a good fight for boxing, mayweather and pacquiao will happen eventually no doubt i just dont get why mayweather is throwing this type of drug testing out there
@loguti242: Because he thinks no on can be naturally better than him. lol
Both Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley were bred to be fighters like a farmer’s prized horse. Both guys grew up with boxing gloves hanging from their crib ceilings. The debating can go on and on forever. The bottom line is neither guy is going to give you an inch – both fighters are relaxed in the ring, comfortable and fluid in such a way that it’s easy to believe boxing pumps through their veins in absence of blood. Mayweather vs Mosley im really looking forward to. Mayweather looked untouchable against the smaller Marquez and Mosley was awesome against Margarito. That fight was 18 months ago and previous to that Mosley looked ordinary against a washed up Mayorga. So is Shane still in top nick? I see Mosley starting fast using his jab to take the early rounds. Floyd usually starts slowly but will take control around round 5. The usual dropping of the shoulder and lightning counter punching will take Floyd home to a points victory and hopefully setting up the fight with Manny.
Very, very astute fight breakdown. I see this fight pretty much playing out like you say. Shane is a first ballot Hall of Famer for sure, but lately he’s looked his best against come-forward fighters with limited defense like Margarito, Mayorga and Vargas. Against trickier, albeit bigger than Mayweather, fighters like (the late) Forrest and Winky Wright, Shane has had his measure of problems. The only thing I disagree with in your comment is the fact that Mosley is fluid in the ring – that is often not the case, as he has sometimes looked stiff (perhaps do to the over-lifting) in some big fights – namely in his 2nd fight against the Golden Boy and his 2nd fight against Forrest.
The Mayweather vs Mosley fight is expected to get over 3 million PPV sales and more than the Pacquiao vs Clottey fight. Mayweather the more defensive fighter is the People’s Choice but let’s not take for granted the skills of Mosley.
Mosley has had big fights against dela Hoya, Margarito, Vargas and a lot more heavy punchers.
Mayweather on the other hand who has the reputation of choosing Light Punchers has also great defense. But defense doesn’t make you win in boxing.
I go for Mosley on May 1, 2010 on a UD win.
M vs M: Nice post…have the Pacquiao-Clottey PPV sale$ come out yet?
Well, let us take it that we want to see the fight of Pacquiao and Mayweather but like you have posted things are unpredictable. Although, this fight is not an easy fight for both fighters. They are on the same level and they are known for their power and punches. The fight will filter who’s the best; and the best that will fight the pound for pound King. 😀
Mayweather will win if he fights the way he does he will go for the points and runs out. But if he confronts mosley and fights him 2 for 2 it is going to be Mosley victory.
Luke, Mayweather wins whether it’s a track meet or phone booth fight. Too fast. Too fresh. If he goes the phone booth route (which he won’t), it’ll make it a fairly exciting fight. But we saw when he fought Emmanuel Augustus that way, it made for arguably his most exciting fight, but he took some blows there…and Shane is 3x better than my boy Augustus (yes, I’m confessing, I’m an Emmanuel Augustus fan)…so don’t expect Mayweather to go the phone booth route (at least not in long spots).