(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
At 38 years of age, Shane Mosley is in the winter of his career, and looming large on the horizon is an unwanted but inevitable retirement.
At this advanced stage, the Sugarman seems to have finally run out of options.
As it now stands—with potentially just one more super-fight left in his career—neither Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao seem the least bit interested in sharing a main event with him.
And now, with the latest news that Pacquiao is headed in another direction, which would lead him to a super-fight with Miguel Cotto—it's clear that the desperation is starting to make Mosley...well, let's just say he isn't making much sense.
In a recent interview with Eastsideboxing.com—where he spoke candidly over a cell phone while driving to the gym—he ranted and raved regarding Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Mosley claimed that Arum is only interested in protecting his assets, and has constantly shown an unwillingness to make the best possible fight for the fans—which of course would involve Mosley.
The predominant stress factor in Mosley's life these days—besides his divorce—seems to be the recent negotiations by Arum, regarding a potential Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto bout, tentatively set for Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.
Mosley used the recent talks as ammunition to fire shots at Arum for matching up the two fighters, stating that a fight between Cotto and Pacquiao, who are both promoted by Arum is proof of Arum's selfishness.
Mosley also stated that a fight event like that would only serve to benefit Arum's company, Top Rank promotions.
"Bob Arum is being the puppet master putting this together, but Manny will make more money fighting me," Mosley said.
"The fight does not make any sense to me. I know there have been numbers going on out there like Cotto making 5 or 6 million and Manny making 10, 11 or 12, but believe me, Pacquiao would make lots more fighting me."
Mosley further stated, "And why Cotto? He almost lost to Joshua Clottey. It was a fight that he easily could have lost. Cotto didn't fight, he just ran around the ring in the last few rounds."
"Let me tell you something," stated Mosley, "this fight with Cotto is not the best fight for boxing, fight fans, or Manny Pacquiao fans. It is the best fight for Bob Arum."
"Even if you look at Cotto’s gash, do you think it will heal in time? It might just open up again if he fights Pacquiao. The fans need to know that the best and biggest fight in boxing right now is with me," Mosley said.
As for that quote, Sorry Sugar, you are dead wrong, the biggest fight that could be made in boxing right now is Mayweather/Pacquiao.
However, that's another match-up that I feel Mosley wouldn't approve of; it would conclude both his options in one fell swoop, and once again leave him searching for a candle in the dark.
Of course, fight fans will say that there are the William's and the Collazo's still left out there, but Mosley seems interested in fights that would pad his legacy only.
It also amazes me how the influence of PPV dollars have a way of leading fighters/promoters—like Hopkins and Mosley—away from lesser ranked but highly skilled opponents.
Not unlike an invisible magnet it pulls hard but not necessarily in the right direction.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. - Ben Stein
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