Mosley-Mayweather 'technically' a non-title bout

MANILA, Philippines – “Sugar” Shane Mosley's World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown won't "technically" be at stake when he goes toe-to-toe with former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said the WBA title will only be at stake for its titleholder because Mayweather did not pay the sanctioning fee.

“It's basically a non-WBA fight. The two best fighters fighting each other, that's what's at stake here,” Schaefer stated.

However, Mosley prevails in the boxing main header of the "Who R U Picking?" fight card, the victory would be considered an official title defense.

If he loses, the WBA title will either become vacant or will remain with him. Schaefer said he is still discussing the matter with the WBA.

Mosley, meanwhile, assured that his fight with Mayweather will remain a "super showdown" with or without the title.

“I think I'm as fast as any fighter out there,” Mosley said during a teleconference as quoted by Reuters.

“I've always been one of the fastest. I've never been in the ring with Floyd, so I'm just going to do what I do best, be Sugar Shane Mosley,” he added.

Mosley going for the 'record'
Mosley said that even without the title, he still has a great motivation to defeat his fellow American. He wanted to deal Mayweather his first career loss.

Mayweather remained unbeaten with 40 wins (25 knockouts) while Mosley has 46 wins (39 KOs), 5 defeats and 1 no contest.

“I'm ready to go into the history books as the guy who beat Floyd Mayweather, the guy who beat everybody out there, the last man standing,” he declared.

Mosley claimed that he is the first top welterweight that Mayweather will have to face.

“As a welterweight, he hasn't fought any of the top welterweights… I'll be the first one,” he said.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com