Mosley trainer sees best in Pacman

WASHINGTON D.C. – Shane Mosley’s chief trainer sounded like he’s working for Manny Pacquiao.

Naazim Richardson, who caught Antonio Margarito with his illegal handwraps prior to his fight with Mosley two years ago, said all the nice things about Pacquiao Tuesday you’d think he’s the Filipino’s publicist.

He started it off by saying Pacquiao does everything right inside the ring, and doesn’t do anything wrong.

“If you don’t like Manny Pacquiao, then it’s something personal. He hit your car, he stole your girlfriend, it’s something personal. If you like boxing, you must like Manny Pacquiao,” he said.

The American trainer flew in from Europe for Monday’s press conference at the Chelsea Pier in New York, and shared his thoughts and his funny smile with the media and the fans as well. 

He said Pacquiao is such a great athlete – on and off the ring.

“Because everything you want to see in boxing, he brings to the table. Everything you don’t want to see, he doesn’t have. None of the negatives. He’s not a braggadocio. He’s very talented. He’s very dedicated.”

But Richardson, who also trains Bernard Hopkins, said Mosley, the older one at 39, has the same good qualities as Pacquiao, and will be out there to prove something.

“There are still some questions asked about Shane Mosley because he’s an older fighter now. So, some performances haven’t even been to par. These questions asked we have to fully answer in the ring,” he said.

Mosley, who’s been hurt but never been knocked out before, said the other day he doesn’t expect to see the fight lasting the distance.

Either way, the pride of Pomona in California said, it’s going to end in a knockout.

His trainer agreed, saying that if these “two warriors” get it on and get things going early, then it’s going to be a short night on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“You pretty much forget what color the ring card number twelve’s hair is. Because more likely you’re not gonna see that. This is the way these guys are. That’s what they bring to the table,” Richardson said.

“If you don’t like to see these two fighters in the ring, then you don’t like boxing.”

He said Pacquiao is full of talent and dedication, and would be very difficult to stop. But he wants Mosley to think that it can be done, that it will be done.

“If you knock him (Pacquiao) down, he’s gonna get up. Manny Pacquiao is the kind of guy that I firmly believe that if Shane Mosley knocks him down two times every round, then every round he gets back up.”

“So my Shane must be mentally prepared to keep knocking him back down,” said Richardson.