Mosley has soft heart for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao, the greatest boxer in the planet today, recently said he’s picking Shane Mosley to prevail over Floyd Mayweather Jr. when the two Americans square off on May 1 in Las Vegas.

It was time for Mosley to return the favor.

The reigning WBA welterweight champion has wished Pacquiao well in his bid for a congressional seat in the May 10 national elections in the Philippines, and said he’d love to visit the country.

Pacquiao has welcomed some of his former opponents to the Philippines, among them Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, and wouldn’t think twice taking Mosley in as his visitor.

In an article that came out of Digital Journal yesterday, the 38-year-old Mosley, who will stake his WBA belt against the unbeaten Mayweather, said he likes Pacquiao as a boxer and politician.

“Pacquiao has the spirit of a champion in and out of the ring,” said Mosley, who’s among those being considered as Pacquiao’s next opponent.

“I think it’s a great thing that he could be President or a congressman in the Philippines. I think it’s a great thing. I’d love to come to the Philippines and visit and say hi and have dinner and hang out in the Philippines. He can show me around.

“I’d like to congratulate him on the campaign. To even get that far, and to be able to run for Congress is a great thing, a great accomplishment for a fighter, for all fighters. He’s doing a great thing,” said the native of California.

Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey last March 14 in Texas, and kept his WBO welterweight crown. The Pinoy icon said he is temporarily retired as he continues to focus on his bid in the elections.

Pacquiao, according to his promoter, Bob Arum, may fight in September in case he fails in the polls, and in November if he gets elected and becomes the first boxer-congressman, as it is, he’s the one and only holder of seven world titles in seven different weight classes.

And Mosley is being considered a possible opponent, even if the possibility looked bleak following the inclusion of a rematch clause in his contract with Mayweather, meaning if Mosley wins on May 1, Mayweather may seek a rematch by the end of the year.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, may end up facing Antonio Margarito, his stablemate at Top Rank.

For the meantime, it’s easy to say that there’s no bad blood between Pacquiao and Mosley, and a fight between these two gentlemen may be easier to make than one involving Mayweather, considered the greatest of his era.

Until Pacquiao came along.