MOSLEY vs. PACQUIAO

MOSLEY vs. PACQUIAO

Promoter Bob Arum said Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila) that Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao versus Shane Mosley is set for May 7 in Las Vegas.
“We’ve agreed on all the major points of the fight, and a formal announcement will be made after the holidays,” Arum said by phone from Las Vegas.

Arum, who now promotes both Pacquiao and Mosley, declined to discuss the details of the fight until he has spoken personally to each of them.

He said both Pacquiao and Mosley would get the biggest paydays in the fight for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao earned at least $20 million in his last fight against Antonio Margarito, while Mosley’s $7-million paycheck in his May showdown with unbeaten American welterweight star Floyd Mayweather Jr. was his biggest.

Arum, who attended Pacquiao’s 32nd birthday bash in the Philippines, said Mosley was chosen over other candidates because he is “the most recognizable opponent” and fighting him made the most sense, money-wise for PacMan.

Also considered for Pacquiao next fight were Mexican world lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and World Boxing Council welterweight titlist Andre Berto.

The 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 by knockouts) is seven years younger than Mosley, a five-time world champion in four different weight classes.

Arum said that although Mosley looked unimpressive in a split decision win over Sergio Mora on September 18 in Los Angeles, he said Mosley’s fighting skills and speed would challenge Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, the consensus best boxer in the world pound for pound, just won a record eighth world title with a sensational shut-out win over former three-time welter champion Margarito on November 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Arum stressed that Mosley (46-6-1, 39 knockouts) stopped Margarito in their January 24, 2009 welterweight title fight in one of his biggest wins.

He added that Mosley gave Mayweather a scare, almost knocking out thrash-talking former pound-for-pound kingpin in the second round of their May match-up only to fade out and lose by unanimous decision. BY JUN MEDINA