Times wires
Friday, May 6, 2011
LAS VEGAS — Ask Shane Mosley how he can beat Manny Pacquiao, and the answer is match his speed and don't be afraid to trade punches with a guy who loves to trade punches. Ask trainer Naazim Richardson how his fighter can beat the best boxer in the world, and he says, "If he can be the best Sugar Shane Mosley there is, then Pacquiao has problems."
But Mosley, 39, hasn't been his best for quite some time, with two losses and a draw in his past five fights including a bad loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao, 32, is so confident in defense of his WBO welterweight title tonight at the MGM Grand hotel that he has scheduled a post-fight concert on the Las Vegas Strip.
"This is an important fight for me and millions of my fans," said Pacquiao, a member of congress in his native Philippines.
Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) weighed in Friday at 145 pounds, Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) at 147.
"It's an opportunity to show people I'm not washed up," Mosley said. "You don't lose your power. They say you lose your speed, but I haven't lost my speed, either."