Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley Preview: What Each Man Needs To Do To Win

Floyd "Money" Mayweather

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Resides: Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 33
Height: 5' 8"
Reach: 72"
Current World Titles Held: None
Former World Titles Held: WBC Super Featherweight (130 lbs.), Ring Magazine, WBC Lightweight (135 lbs.), WBC Light Welterweight (140 lbs.), Ring Magazine, WBC, IBF Welterweight (147 lbs.), WBC Light Middleweight (154 lbs.)
Professional Record: 40-0, 25 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 18-0, 9 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 11-0
Record at 147 lbs.: 5-0, 2 KOs

Notable Wins: UD12 Juan Manuel Marquez , TKO10 Ricky Hatton , SD12 Oscar De La Hoya

"Sugar" Shane Mosley

Birthplace: Lynwood, California
Resides: Pomona, California
Age: 38
Height: 5' 9"
Reach: 74"
Current World Titles Held: WBA Welterweight
Former World Titles Held: IBF Lightweight, WBC Welterweight, WBC, WBA Light Middleweight
Professional Record: 46-5, 39 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 15-5, 12 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 5-5
Record at 147 lbs.: 10-3, 6 KOs

Notable Wins: TKO9 Antonio Margarito , TKO6 Fernando Vargas II, UD12 Oscar De La Hoya II
Notable Losses: UD12 Miguel Cotto , UD12 Winky Wright I, UD12 Vernon Forrest I

Analysis

If Floyd Mayweather facing Manny Pacquiao was the greatest boxing match that could be made in 2010, and potentially one of the biggest fights in modern times, then consider this the biggest make-up fight possible.

Mayweather needed an opponent after negotiations with Pacquiao fell apart, and Mosley found himself in a similar situation after Andre Berto pulled out of their scheduled bout to tend to friends and family in Haiti. That left both fighters turning to each other, an interesting turn of events considering that they have campaigned only a weight class apart for most of their careers.

Considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer alive, Mayweather returned from a 21-month retirement and easily dispatched Juan Manuel Marquez last September. He showed no ring rust and flashed the same formidable combination of learned skill and natural ability that has allowed him to back up all of his brash talk throughout an undefeated pro career.

Mosley has tasted defeat on several occasions, including four losses in a span of six fights between 2002 and 2004, but he's managed to re-establish himself as a welterweight titleholder. Though he's coming off one of his finest performances ever, a nine-round bludgeoning of Antonio Margarito last January, he faces legitimate questions about the effects of his advancing age and 15 months of inactivity.

Though both men are known for their lightning fast hands, there is a bit of a contrast in styles in that Mayweather is the consummate defensive artist and counter-puncher while Mosley prefers a more direct approach. The trainers for both men also reflect their differences in personality, with Floyd cornered by outspoken Uncle Roger and Shane guided by unassuming rising star Nazim Richardson.

Since Mayweather refused to pay the WBA's sanctioning fee, Mosley's welterweight belt is not at stake.

Mayweather's Winning Strategy: Fight When and Where You Want to Fight

At least outwardly, few athletes care as little for what their critics say as Mayweather. It doesn't bother him that people think some of his performances are boring, as he simply keeps winning and keeps laughing all the way to the bank.

Floyd is capable of taking the lead when necessary, but he's masterful at using upper body movement to set up his quick and accurate counter shots. He should have a willing partner in that regard in Mosley, who won't throw caution to the wind but will likely feel his best chance to win is to take the fight to Money.

If Sugar Shane proves to be quicker and sturdier than expected, Mayweather can and will use his lateral movement to control the pace and spacing of the action. Don't expect him to run, but if he decides his foe's only chance of winning is to get in one big shot in the midst of an exchange, don't expect Mayweather to allow that to happen either.

Often Floyd is so superior to his opponent that he can stand still a little more, let his hands go, and put himself in no real danger. That may be the case this time, too, but even if it's not, he's willing and able to fight more sporadically. Smart money says he still has the last laugh.

Mosley's Winning Strategy: Turn Up the Pressure and Don't Let Up

Despite a perceived edge in raw power, Sugar Shane can't afford to look for one big shot to pull off the upset. This is partly because Mosley hasn't been a big one-shot puncher since he was a lightweight and also because landing one huge flush punch on Mayweather may be the most difficult task there is in boxing.

Mosley also doesn't throw nearly as many punches per round as he did circa 1998, but he's going to need to turn up the activity level in hopes of getting Mayweather out of his comfort zone. That means more punches in bunches, as Shane is fond of saying, preferably from as close to his foe as possible.

Attempting to rough Floyd up on the inside wouldn't be a bad idea either. Ironically, Ricky Hatton proved somewhat effective at this until it became apparent that he was simply too slow to threaten Mayweather for very long.

Shane would also be well served to rediscover his knack for body punching, something to which his commitment has come and gone over the years. Hitting Floyd in the torso still isn't easy, but it's still a bigger target than his elusive head and more likely to pay dividends if the fight goes to the later rounds.

And, yes, this strategy does mean Mosley will be leaving some choice openings for Mayweather to counter. Risk is part of the equation when trying to beat an undefeated champion like Floyd Jr., and without the willingness to take the risks a pressure style will bring, Shane has already lost.

Nick Tylwalk is the editor and co-founder of BoxingWatchers.com . Follow his Twitter feed @Nick_Tylwalk or the site's feed @boxing_watchers .