Why Mosley is dangerous

MANILA, Philippines - Even as defending WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has been installed a 9-1 favorite, he’s not taking Sugar Shane Mosley lightly in their 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 7 because all indications point to the classy boxer-puncher as a dangerous foe.

Here are some reasons why Mosley is a serious challenger.

• He has one-punch knockout power in either hand, particularly the right. In boxing, all it takes is a single connection and the fight could be over. Mosley boasts a knockout rate of 85 percent or 39 KOs of 46 wins, compared to Pacquiao’s 73 percent or 38 KOs of 52 wins.

• He’s the first African-American whom Pacquiao will face. If you’re not used to the rhythm and style of an African-American athlete, you could be in big trouble. Pacquiao has sparred with African-Americans like Shawn Porter, Rashad Holloway and Karim Mayfield but it’s a different atmosphere when the bell rings for a real fight on pay-per-view.

• He’s the only fighter to defeat the legendary Oscar de la Hoya twice.

• He’s the only fighter to knock out rugged Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito who went the distance with Pacquiao.

• He’s the only fighter to beat former world lightmiddleweight champion Fernando Vargas twice, both by knockout.

• He’s never been knocked out – all his losses were on points. And only Vernon Forrest was able to floor Mosley, doing it twice in the second round but Sugar Shane survived the threat to last the full route in losing a decision. In contrast, Pacquiao has been floored by Rustico Torrecampo, Medgeon 3-K Battery, Nedal Hussein, Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov and Marco Antonio Barrera (although the knockdown should’ve been ruled a slip as shown in a replay). Mosley’s strong chin is an obvious asset.

• He’s the “longest” fighter ever to battle Pacquiao with a startling 74-inch wingspan. That translates to a massive seven-inch reach advantage for Mosley. Two Pacquiao victims, Margarito and De la Hoya, both measure 73 inches in wingspan.

• He’s comfortable fighting in the 147-pound division. Mosley has weighed over 142 pounds for 22 bouts since 1999. Pacquiao has fought in only four fights weighing over 142 since 2008. Pacquiao scaled 142 pounds for De la Hoya, 144 for Miguel Cotto, 145 3/4 for Joshua Clottey and 144 1/2 for Margarito. Mosley will likely weigh five to 10 pounds more than Pacquiao when they square off. The edge in heft may be an advantage or a disadvantage for Mosley.

• He’s trained by the legendary Nazim Richardson who also takes care of Bernard Hopkins and IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham. Richardson is known in fight circles as a master strategist and tactician. Although he is not as renowned as Freddie Roach, Richardson can’t be considered a slouch. He’s an expert in spotting flaws and exploiting weaknesses. He’s a whiz in revving up old engines and transforming them into mean machines. To Richardson, age is all in the mind. Hopkins, his other ageless gladiator, remains competitive at 46.

• He’s intelligent and crafty. Mosley used a classic boxing style to confound De la Hoya, not once but twice. He even switch-hit to confuse the Golden Boy. Against Pacquiao, Mosley is expected to put pressure on the Filipino icon and force a slugfest. Mosley’s deadliest combination is a left hook to the body and a right hook to the head. Sugar Shane once said he emulates Roberto Duran in the ring.

• He has experience on his side. Mosley turned pro in 1993, two years before Pacquiao, and has boxed 376 rounds in 53 fights. Pacquiao has boxed 329 rounds in 57 bouts. Mosley has engaged in 19 world title matches and Pacquiao, 16. Mosley racked up a record of 38-0, with 35 KOs, before tasting his first defeat nine years after turning pro. Pacquiao raced to an 11-0 record, with only three KOs, before suffering his initial setback to Torrecampo in 1996.

• He knows how to deal with southpaws. Mosley has battled five lefthanders in his career and lost to only one – Winky Wright. Against Luis Collazo, he scored a knockdown and breezed to an easy victory on points.

• He fights like Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao had difficulty against the Mexican in two bouts. Marquez, a technician, counter-punched and repeatedly found an opening for his right hand down the middle, into the heart of Pacquiao’s defense. Mosley will try to do the same on May 7.

• He’s still got heart. Against Sergio Mora last September, Mosley defied the laws of aging and turned back the hands of time to win the final two rounds in salvaging a 12-round split draw in Los Angeles. Sugar Shane’s display of endurance was an inspiration to all senior citizens.

Jeff Ryan of The Ring Magazine put the fight in perspective when he wrote: “At a battle-scarred 32 years of age and following 16 years in the ring, 57 fights, and a jump of about 40 pounds in weight throughout his career, Pacquiao is due to turn old overnight or at the very least, have an off-night, particularly if the absence of a Floyd Mayweather fight robs him of some motivation and his political career in the Philippines becomes more of a distraction...and if that night arrives this May, Mosley (even a 39-year-old version in decline) has the game, experience, strength, and chin to make things interesting.”

So in the final analysis, the Pacquiao-Mosley fight couldn’t be as one-sided as the odds indicate.