Mayweather agrees to fight Mosley
Source: Agencies |
February 5, 2010, Friday
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FLOYD Mayweather Jr, whose planned superfight with Manny Pacquiao fell apart last month over drug testing stipulations, will fight Shane Mosley on May 1, the boxer's promoter said on Wednesday.
The two fighters had agreed to Olympic-style drug testing, a major sticking point that killed talks for a proposed fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, Mayweather Promotions said in a statement.
Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently.
"This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately," six-time world champion Mayweather said in the statement.
"I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."
Mayweather (40-0), 32, retired in 2008 but returned to the ring last September with an easy decision over Juan Manuel Marquez after an 18-month break.
The 38-year-old Mosley last fought in January 2009 when he earned a ninth-round stoppage against Antonio Margarito to win the welterweight world title for the third time.
"I have always wanted to fight Floyd and now it is finally coming true," said Mosley.
"I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him."
Five-time champion Mosley (46-5) signed the deal last Friday for the fight to be held in Las Vegas.
Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on January 30 before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family's home.
"I knew that there was a fight around the corner," Mosley said. "I knew that Mayweather needed a dancing partner, and who else was he going to dance with? I'm a little stronger and wiser now. I'm very smart. Nothing he can do is going to rattle me and make me feel any different. I'm already in good shape, and I'm going into it feeling good."
The two fighters had agreed to Olympic-style drug testing, a major sticking point that killed talks for a proposed fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, Mayweather Promotions said in a statement.
Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently.
"This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately," six-time world champion Mayweather said in the statement.
"I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."
Mayweather (40-0), 32, retired in 2008 but returned to the ring last September with an easy decision over Juan Manuel Marquez after an 18-month break.
The 38-year-old Mosley last fought in January 2009 when he earned a ninth-round stoppage against Antonio Margarito to win the welterweight world title for the third time.
"I have always wanted to fight Floyd and now it is finally coming true," said Mosley.
"I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him."
Five-time champion Mosley (46-5) signed the deal last Friday for the fight to be held in Las Vegas.
Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on January 30 before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family's home.
"I knew that there was a fight around the corner," Mosley said. "I knew that Mayweather needed a dancing partner, and who else was he going to dance with? I'm a little stronger and wiser now. I'm very smart. Nothing he can do is going to rattle me and make me feel any different. I'm already in good shape, and I'm going into it feeling good."
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