Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley: 5 Ways Sugar Can Beat the Pacman

Let's face it. Not a lot of boxing fans are giving Shane Mosley a chance against Manny Pacquiao when they face off this Saturday. As a friend of mine said the other day, give me a narrative where he wins this fight. Well, for my friend and everyone else, here's five things Shane can do to win this fight. Five ways he can shock the world.

5. Don't Get Flustered by Manny's Speed

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JULY 31: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (L) hits Juan Diaz in the 11th round of their bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center July 31, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marquez retained his WBA and WBO lightweight championship belts

A lot of boxers who get in the ring get intimidated by Pacman's speed and power. Ricky Hatton was defeated walking into the ring. Cotto seemed more and more befuddled as the the bout when on. But one fighter who gave Manny fits in the past was Juan Manuel Marquez, a deliberate, counter puncher who isn't as fast as Pacquiao.

That's because Marquez rarely gets flustered and takes his time with Manny the same way he fights anyone else. In both fights he's been knocked down by Manny, including three times in the first round of their first bout. But Marquez continued to fight his own fight both times and almost won both bouts. 

4. Keep Manny on the Ropes

Nick Laham/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 13: Antonio Margarito (black trunks) of Mexico throws a punch against Manny Pacquiao (white trunks) of the Philippines during their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at Cowboys Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Arlington, Tex

Manny is always best in the middle of the ring. His unorthodox style, lightning speed and movement make him almost impossible for the average fighter to deal with when he's in the center of the squared circle.

But he's not nearly as effective on the ropes. Margarito's only good round was when he got Manny into the ropes in the middle of the fight. Mosley needs to use his size to try and pin Manny there when he can. 

3. Go to the Body

Harry How/Getty Images

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Shane Mosley f(L) ights Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua in the seventh round during their junior middleweight bout at the Home Depot Center on September 27, 2008 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

This is a tough one. Because you have to be able to get to Manny's body and that's not easy. But let's face it. Manny admitted after the Margarito fight that he was briefly hurt when Margarito caught him with body shots in that fight. You could see it, too. Manny visibly winced when Tony caught him there with a couple of hard shots. 

2. Press the Action

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 06: Manny Pacquiao (R) hits Oscar De La Hoya in the fifth round of their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Freddie Roach was on the Jim Rome the other day and he talked about the need to get Sugar Shane back on his heels. That's because as Freddie put it, "Older fighters have a hard time moving backward."The Hall of Fame trainer knows this well because he was once an older fighter.

And it's true. Watch YouTube videos of Oscar, Ali or Leonard. Late in their careers they still have decent hand speed, they know how to hit their target but they do not move well unless going forward. Shane's only chance is to to keep pressing the action and try to get Manny off his game. It's going to be tough with a fighter as quick as Pacquiao but it's Mosley's best chance.

1. Look for the Big Shot and Make It Count

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 24: Shane Mosley lands a punch on Antonio Margarito en route to his TKO in the ninth round after Margarito's corner threw in the towel during their WBA welterweight title fight on January 24, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angel

Mosley was able to stun Mayweather so we know he can land the big blow and Manny's definitely more hittable than Floyd. The problem is that Manny's going to be on the move and he will often be moving away from Sugar Shane's punches. Mosley needs to stay calm, look for the right opening and then follow it up. Tough but not impossible.  

Conclusion

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Shane Mosley looks on at a press conference to promote his upcoming fight with Manny Pacquiao at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on February 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

I'll be honest. I think Manny will win this fight but I wouldn't bet my life on it. The fact is Shane Mosley is a terrific fighter and a tough one as well. He also knows this is probably his last hurrah as well. 

Shane needs to stick to basics, use his size to his advantage and get Manny to fight his fight. If he does that he has a chance. If not it's going to be a long night for the Hall of Famer from Pomona.