“Now I can’t say how many fights Shane has won in the past, cause we know that he was using enhancement drugs… that’s on the record!” – Money Mayweather
Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (33) and “Sugar” Shane Mosley (38), two of the top 5 pugilists on most knowledgeable boxing observers’ “Pound-For-Pound” lists, are scheduled to face off in the squared circle May 1st 2010 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.The initial press conference announcing one of the most anticipated combats in recent recollection was highlighted by a confrontational grappling session in the center of the stage at the Nokia Theater in the heart of Times Square, this past Tuesday afternoon.
“We came face-to-face, then our noses touched – and I love nothing but ladies, so a man touching me I’m like…. – then he grabbed my hand, and I’m like… ‘Yo, don’t touch me!’ We can talk what we’re gonna talk, we already touched face-to-face, just don’t put your hands on me, period!” ,Mayweather explained afterwards.
Although there have been previous attempts to match up the two men over the past decade, many Floyd Jr. detractors are glad to finally see him face what they consider to be his most formidable foe since he faced Jose Luis Castillo in 2002.
Even with that being said, there are a few insiders familiar with the Sweet Science who contend that this contest should’ve occurred at least 5-7 years ago. While some accused Mayweather of avoiding Mosley, it was actually Sugar Shane who decided to move up in weight to face Oscar de la Hoya for more mulah instead of facing Floyd. That being the case, it is still the best match-up that can be made in boxings’ foreseeable future.
Fifteen minutes after the start of the program it was announced that 14,000 out of the 17,000 tickets available had already been sold.
“This fight reminds of back in the days with Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns. It reminds of the classic fights we used to see on TV – the fights that really brought boxing back. It is like watching the Super Bowl, the NBA Championships or the World Series.
It is thee fight to watch this year,” cemented the bout’s co-promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “I fought both fighters and already know what’s going to happen. I already know that it’s going to end in a knockout, and it ain’t going to be pretty!” ,he teased.
Sugar Shane Mosley, who will be defending his WBA Welterweight title, followed up:
“This is a chance for me to show to the world that I am the best fighter! And that’s all I really want. After this fight it’s going to be clear, that ass whupping that I’m going to give him!” as audience members then let out an “Ahhh!”
Money Mayweather went up next:
“I stepped up to the plat and said that I want to show the world that my sport is clean. People should understand that I wanna separate the average from the good, from the great,” alluding to his unprecedented demand that he and all prospective opponents be randomly tested for performance enhancing drugs and other banned substances.
“Now I can’t say how many fights Shane has won in the past, cause we know that he was using enhancement drugs… that’s on the record!” taking a stab at his opponent’s past history. “I want to continue to go out there and dominate and be the best. I offered Pacquiao the fight and I never knew anybody that didn’t want to take a $25 million dollar drug test,” he says of the aborted bout with Philippine puncher.
“I don’t care what opponent you go get, there’s always an excuse… when I beat him they going to say ah he was too small or too slow, and as soon as I beat him they’re going to say that he was over the hill.” ,Mayweather chided his critics.
After the failed negotiations with “Pac Man,” Money seems to have upstaged his Philippine rival. Mayweather vs. Mosley is garnering more attention than Pacquiao-Clottey. The bout’s promoters are predicting a record-breaking pay-per-view buy-rate in excess of 3 million homes. The anticipation of this year’s biggest boxing event is sure to draw much needed attention to the sport.
The two pugilists will continue to promote the fight and all press conferences are free and open to the public on a first come basis. Here are the dates:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 – WASHINGTON, DC PRESS CONFERENCE
Where: Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street NW
Times: Doors Open – 11:00 a.m. ET
Start – 12:00 p.m. ET
THURSDAY, MARCH 4 – LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE
Where: NOKIA Plaza at L.A. Live (Outdoor Event)
800 West Olympic Blvd.
Times: Arrival – 12:00 p.m. PT
Start – 1:00 p.m. PT
