Washington's War Room: The Official Mayweather vs Mosley DC Presser

There is an old saying in the military, “Soldiers fight wars, politicians make them.”  Earlier today at the Lincoln Theatre, within Washington, DC’s famous U St. corridor, the “politicians” in charge were Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer, as well as Leonard Ellerbe and Judd Burstein.  We all know who the “soldiers” are, and why they came.  Mayweather and Mosley came to do the “dirty work” of politicians, and give the fans something to look forward to.

The “bullets and bombs” will be dropped in the form of jabs and right hands, on Saturday, May 1^st, 2010 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.  Both “armies” are swift veterans of combat, but only one wears the title of the undefeated.  “Money May”.

The historic theatre was packed with men and women, boys and girls, the sober and the not so sober.  Even the former Mayor, Marion Barry, was in the “house”.  The most important aspect of the energy that filled the room was our anticipation of the entrance of the pugilists.

After a “Michael Buffer-esque” introduction, Shane entered first.  He walked slowly but confidently, and without aggressive posturing.  He wore a smile, not a “mean mug”.  The fans cheered, women screamed, and Sugar Shane stood like a well dressed soldier on stage.

Moments later, smoke appeared from the other side of the theatre.  Strutting down the aisle to the O’Jays “For the Love of Money”, the rambunctious fans were ecstatic over the extroverted fighter from “The D”.  Upon reaching the stage, Mayweather let out a loud roar and beat his chest while looking Mosley squarely in the eye.  Although they had both been involved in a scuffle the day before, their aggression only manifested itself in the form of shoulder popping, and “in your face” jawing.

The attire of the two pugilists tells the story of their personalities.  While smiling and waving his index finger in the air, signaling he’s number one, Shane donned a priceless Armani suit.  On the other hand, Floyd was dressed in a nylon jogging outfit as if he couldn’t wait to leave the presser and begin another training session.  Shane plays to the crowd, Floyd plays to himself.

Once the official presser began, all of the large concerns took to the microphone one-by-one.  With a pensive look on his face, Oscar De La Hoya made his prediction saying, “I will be brief…  I fought both of these guys, and I lost to both of these guys… there will definitely be a knockout in this fight, and it won’t be ‘pretty’…”  This was an obvious play on words, as Delahoya wants nothing more than to see “Pretty Boy Floyd” take a “power nap” on the canvas and erase that “pretty little zero” in his loss column.

Soon after the speeches of other “politicians” of both sides, the press was allowed on stage to interview any and everyone.  I walked directly toward Shane Mosley.  Half man, half amazing.  Like a confident but respectful business man, he invited the six or seven of us to sit around his table.

“How much of an advantage is it,” I asked, “to have an extended training camp because you were preparing for Andre Berto?  Mosley replied, “I think it’s a great advantage that I have, because with two weeks before the fight, I was ready to fight.  It just didn’t happen.”  During the media frenzy and HBO’s 24/7 cameras rolling I had a flashback of Shane vs. the “Tijuana Tornado” and I say to Mosley, “The Sugar Shane that fought Margarito…  I think that version of Shane would have beat anyone that night.”  Mosley smiles and says, “The Sugar Shane that’s in shape for Floyd is going to be better…”

When the opportunity to interview Floyd Mayweather, Jr. presented itself I could feel his aura of confidence surround the media.  And like a great “Prize fight” I could feel the anticipation the media had of obtaining classic quotes.  While mingling with his fans and signing autographs, one statement Mayweather said to a young child, no older than 2 years old, was stained into my mind.  “You don’t know who I am now, but one day you will…”  He’s right.  Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the best boxer of our era until someone proves otherwise.

In reference to the similarities to him and Shane Mosley Floyd responded, “We can go to the boxing gym…  We can hit the bag the same, we both can be fast, we both can jump rope the same, hit the pads the same… but I know how to win…  When we get under them lights, I know how to win.” 

I finally felt it was time to respectfully utter the “P” word which so quickly irritates the gifted welterweight.  We all know that word--Pacquiao.  I asked, “Hypothetically if you get past Sugar Shane Mosley, and after that you fight Pacquiao, which everyone wants to see, what’s left for Floyd Mayweather to accomplish in the sport of boxing?”  Floyd countered, “With or without Mosley, with or without Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best fighters of All-Time…  I take my hat off to Muhammad Ali; he was in his era… I take my hat off to Sugar Ray Robinson; he was in his era… but this is my era, and I am the best.”

Boxings’ elite turned the Lincoln Theatre into the War room at the Pentagon with its mix of CEO’s, match makers, and attorneys playing the roles of Generals, Diplomats, and Secretaries of State.  Other champions waiting in the wings, like Paul Williams, were the “good” soldiers eagerly waiting on deck.  I think this presser proved to Golden Boy Promotions that Washington, DC has a loyal boxing fan base.  Legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Bobby Foster lived and trained here.  The fans came to see the “soldiers”, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Shane Mosley certainly gave the fans something to talk about.  To make it even better, they did it for free.  In the words of Nasim Richardson, “I’m not only a fan of boxing, I’m a student.”  Salute your soldiers.