First and foremost I am no expert. But, then again who really is. Years ago while attending a fight at New York's famed Madison Square Garden, attired in full Ringmaster garb I was asked by a reporter, what I thought circus had in common with boxing. The question, at the time caught me off guard and my answer, I thought, was insufficient. However, as I grew in my position the answer revealed itself. In boxing, like circus you can always expect the unexpected. Therefore, no one, no matter how well versed has a crystal ball. In the words of the great Joe Frazier, "any man with two hands has a chance."
The build up to this match has cast the legendary Sugar Shane Mosley as the under dog versus boxing's present day Golden Boy, eight divisional champion, Manny Pacquiao; and for good reason. He is the older fighter, and in his last two outings he was uncharacteristically lack luster. Perhaps signs of aging. Few sports wear the body down as does the Sweet Science. And if Mosley's last two fights, particularly his most recent outing versus the feather fisted Sergio Mora, whom he fought to an unimpressive and some even say controversial draw, there is definitely some wear and tear. The Mosley of old, who once enjoyed the heaping praise that came with being considered the Pound for Pound best in the sport, was a speed demon capable of explosive combinations and foot speed, now perfected in none other than his opponent this Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao. Mind you, the speed, though it has slowed a bit is still there, as well as, the power. However, for the most part Mosley has become a set puncher, he is no longer able to punch on the move (as he once did so brilliantly versus Oscar De La Hoya during their first encounter), instead he must plant his feet and then punch. You can clearly see Mosley telegraphing his punches and if you haven't noticed, he's not hard to find and versus the likes of Pacquiao that could spell disaster for the once great pugilist.
The adage in show business is that "you are only as good as your last show." Boxing is not a show and as we have seen on a number of occasions, a fighter is not as good as his last fight and to craft a fight plan in accordance to an opponent's recent history could be very dangerous. Thus, there maybe some hope for the aging lion. Despite his age and reduced skills, Mosley is still the most dangerous fighter Pacquiao has faced in his entire career. Freddie Roach is a great trainer. His handling of Manny Pacquiao is something very special. However, Roach is an even better match maker. While padding Pacquiao's resume with big name fighters such as Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton, we forget, styles make fights. Although those fighters were bigger, seemingly stronger, and more powerful, they were all easy targets; and against a fleet footed, swift fisted, unorthodox power puncher, like Pacquiao, who attacks opponents from the most absurd angles, they were mere prey. The shear dominance and brutality of each respective victory is proof of that fact.
However, Shane Mosley is not those men. In fact, he has victories over De La Hoya and Margarito; and fought to a stand still versus Cotto. Mosley's hope lies in his speed, timing, and ruggedness. He's a credible counter puncher and that will be a major factor versus the iconic Pacquiao. Mosley must bait Pacquiao into a dogfight, which must include a murderous body attack if he is to have a chance at beating him. Mosley is at his best when an opponent engages him. However, even that comes with risk because Pacquiao is no shrinking violet in close quarters combat as the likes of the much bigger Margarito learned. That being said, I wouldn't recommend Pacquiao engage Mosley in such a manner, but, use sound boxing skills and ring generalship while getting his respect with well timed power punches and combinations to break Mosley down, push him back and possibly go in for the kill in the latter rounds. Pacquiao's right jab and movement will be significant keys to victory.
I don't see this fight going the full twelve. Someone will fall.The mighty Pacquiao hopes to add to his already historical legacy with a knockout win over Mosley who has never been stopped. But, the old dog may have some new tricks that might very well befall the great Pacquiao and shock the world.
Copyright 2011
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