Mayweather/Mosley: May's 1st (loss) on May 1st?
This past week has seen some very vocal outburst between the respective Mosley and Mayweather camps. On one side, you've got Floyd Snr. stating how bad Mosley is gettin' his a** handed to him in sparring. On the flip side, you've got Jack Mosley talking about how he and his son created a master plan to defeat Floyd well over 10 years ago. With the Father's both yappin', some probably wonder what the actual fighters are thinking. Well......Mosley decided to answer that question by going public with a statement of how badly he plans to rip Floyd apart. Floyd's response? Well, lets just say that the man who normally talks for a living has been oddly quiet. That could mean one of two things. He's either hard at work - in an effort to let his actions in the ring speak louder....or he's actually buyin' into the words of Shane Mosley. I find it hard to believe the master yapper has been punk'd, but I will say this much......this is one time he'd probably better measure those words of his very carefully, as it took better than a decade to get this defining moment for Mosley....and we saw what that much time and preparation did for Bernard Hopkins. Just a thought.....
Hopkins/Haye: A 'No' Show
After relieving himself of a 17 year itch, Bernard Hopkins stated that there's one more mission he'd like to aim for. Eager to parallel the success of the man he chased for nearly two decades (Jones), the place Hopkins set those sights on would require him to go north in weight to the sports once most famed division, the land of heavyweights. At age 45 and facing the proverbial 'westside' (or sunset) of his career, few things would cap off his time in the sport like adding such a feat to his resume. Trouble is, the man he wants to face (David Haye) has no interest whatsoever in facing him, and has totally ruled out the mere possibility. For one man (Hopkins) this would be the top of the mountain, while a loss for the other would be the bottom of the grave. This realization makes that word 'grave' a very fitting element, as the 'Executioner' now holds a dream that is in fact dead.
Jones/Hopkins: Night to Remember, Fight to Forget
In appropriate Easter fashion, last Saturday fight fans received it's fair share of 'rabbits'. 'Rabbit' punches, that is.....as both headlining cards (Haye/Ruiz and Jones/Hopkins) were filled with fouls that left fight fans far from happy. Drama aside, the Jones/Hopkins showdown may have very well been the swan song affair for two of the sports most legendary figures. It may not have been the easiest on the EYES, but God 'NOSE', the memories their two HANDS gave us over the years will fill our HEADS forever! Similar to the wordplay in that last sentence and despite their respective ages, the level of talent these two men brought to the table will undoubtedly leave us hungry for more.....but all good things must come to an end! I don't know what tomorrow holds for either man, but their 'yesterday' left an indelible print on the sport I love. Best wishes to Roy Jones jr. and Bernard Hopkins. Peaceful journey, fellas! Much love.......
David Haye: Which Way Is Up?
Lately, many things in the life of heavyweight contender David Haye have gone precisely the way he planned. Up! Everything from his win total, to the level of excitement surrounding him back at home, to his spirits. With so many things on the upswing, recent conversation shed light on another that may not be as welcomed. With everything seemingly going right, what could that be? His weight. For the first time in his career, Haye entered the ring over 220lbs (222 to be exact). In a heavyweight division that boast several super-heavyweights, 222lbs seems rather small, but judging by the way the
'young gun' was breathing so hard and slouched on his stool in the corner between rounds, one can only wonder whether this 'up' will later evolve to a
'down'. The heavy-hitter recently confirmed that his attitude towards training was once rather suspect. One can only hope for him that this 'suspect' doesn't end up in a loss 'conviction', for there are no appeals when the damage is done.
Andre Berto: A Master or Disaster (Waiting to happen)?
This weekend, fight fans will get a chance to see rising star Andre Berto prove his mettle against arguably the most competitive foe of his young career. In order to do that, he'll have to do something he has shown great trouble with in the past. That something? Defeat a slick southpaw. Facing the third in a row, one would think Berto would be a 'master' at this, but Carlos Quintana comes with a little more 'pop' than the others. In the last two years he hasn't been as notable to the fight public as his talent would suggest, but many remember him as the man to dethrone the very challenging Paul Williams before being obliterated via 1st round KO in their rematch. Berto has all the tools you want in a fighter, but he has yet to test his mettle against a top-ranked contender that has done something on the sports grand stage. All that could change this weekend, but it won't come without putting up a fight. The Mosley showdown fell apart due to a deadly earthquake in his homeland of Haiti. Saturday night, we'll learn whether or not one natural disaster set the ground work for another. Stay tuned.
Cotto/Steward: Loss Prevention, Back in Contention
Puerto Rican phenom Miguel Cotto has officially joined forces with one of the best trainers in the history of the sport, Emanuel Steward. For some, this move came a fight too late, as his inexperienced corner in the Pacquiao fight arguably made a bad situation worst. The irony here is that only a few months ago, Cotto was said to be ready to walk away from the sport within less than a years time. Hiring the likes of Emanuel Steward would suggest otherwise, and a victory over 154lb undefeated champion Yuri Foreman would definitely change those plans. The initial Cotto agenda was to prevent the ongoing streak of losses and close calls, but without question, this tandem could be the start of a run for title contention.....maybe more. It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Bradley/Maidana: 'Sadly' for Bradley?......
Jr. welterweight contender Timothy Bradley has apparently signed to face the rugged Marcos Maidana. For fight fans this is the best move to be made, short of a bout with Devon Alexander. But for Bradley, I'm not so sure! Bradley has shown a great evolution in his short time in the sport, but facing someone like Maidana who has a granite chin and a bangers mentality, you really have to wonder how things will go deep in the fight when core elements like stamina and fatigue build at a high pace. Bradley looks physically to be in amazing shape, but has shown some signs that lead to question, particularly when an opponent hacks at the body. I was looking forward to a Bradley/Alexander showdown, but as much as I'd hate to say it, I'm not so sure that will any longer be that 'battle-of-the-unbeatens' i thought it would be. It's technically a 50/50 fight, but when you crack this 'dollar' down the middle, like the rapper 50cent, Bradley's '50' may mean similarly mean a 'change'.....as in a 'change' in status.....as in the '0' that had to go! Stay tuned!
Carl Froch: A 'Two-Timer'?
U.K. phenom Carl Froch has his hands full in a pending matchup with Denmark native Mikkel Kessler. So far in the Super-6 tournament, no fighter on foreign turf has gotten the nod. Arthur Abraham was believed to be the first man to break the trend, but a one-sided showdown that ended in a sloppy fashion saw that possibility end at the hands of Michigan native Andre Dirrell. That loss for Abraham set a very uncomfortable stage for Froch, who will now find himself facing two men coming off of a loss that not only have a world of pride, but also know that another loss would spell the end of their shots in the tournament. Abraham wasn't able to capitalize in Michigan, but with Froch possibly suffering defeat to Kessler and having the formidable Abraham up to bat next, somehow, some way, I get the feeling that the home turf trend may come to a screeching halt on August 21st when the two meet, as I have no doubt Froch will not be able to withstand the power of Arthur for 12 full rounds. No one truly knows and stranger things have happened, but if I was a betting man, I'd like my chances on that one!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Mayweather/Mosley, Haye, Hopkins, Jones, Berto and more
FLOYD "MONEY" MAYWEATHER CAMP NOTES
Bring On The Heat . . . Training Camp Intensity Like Never Before
The mood has been very serious in the Mayweather Boxing Gym as superstar and six-time World Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather prepares for his May 1 showdown against WBA Welterweight World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View®. Since arriving back in Las Vegas on March 4 following publicity stops at the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and a three-city media tour, Mayweather has made the gym his home, sometimes doubling-up boxing sessions before heading outside to run like a hare through the streets, parks and hills of Las Vegas. Never one to cut corners and already known for his intense, high-level workouts, Mayweather is pushing himself to a new level that is even amazing his own team. He knows the caliber of fighter that Shane Mosley is and the undefeated Mayweather, with a record of 40-0, is ready to make Mosley the 41st notch on his belt.
"I have kept my mind focused on training for this fight with very few distractions. Everyone knows I am pretty much an open book with plenty of access to my gym when I am training for a fight," said Mayweather. "But for this one it's different. I recognize what Mosley brings to the ring and he's going to be one hell of an opponent. He's one of the best fighters of this era and he's been talking a lot about knocking me out. That is not going to happen and on May 1 people are going to see another side of me. I am ready to capitalize on this opportunity and come fight night, I will leave no doubt in anyone's mind that I am the best in the world."
"Floyd always trains with intensity and passion but this camp is unlike others in that he has a singleness of purpose and a focus that is phenomenal," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "I can only imagine what is going to happen to Shane Mosley on May 1."
Lights, Camera, Mayweather . . . Another 24/7
Wherever Mayweather goes the 24/7 cameras are not far behind. Photo Credit: Gene Blevins - Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
The Mayweather family is back on HBO®'s 24/7 starring none other than Floyd himself along with the ever-famous trainer Uncle Roger and father Floyd Sr. The tight-knit clan can't wait for the premier on April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. when they too plan to watch "the rest of the story."
"I'm an entertainer, and the upcoming 24/7 will be the best one yet. The cameras have been rolling since the fight was announced, and you know you're going to see something exciting when you follow me. Fans will not want to miss it," said Mayweather. "Marquez tried drinking his own urine last time around, and people do crazy things when they know they have to face the best fighter in the world. Hopefully Mosley got the memo that drinking pee doesn't work. Let's see what he tries to do. Nothing, absolutely nothing works when you have to face me."
Mayweather Hosts Foundation Dinner
Leonard Ellerbe (left) and Floyd Mayweather (middle) pose with the students and teachers of Matt Kelly Elementary School who were honored for their strides in education in the Las Vegas community. Photo Credit: Gene Blevins - Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
Decked out in fancy black-tie attire only the Champ could pull off, Mayweather hosted the First Annual Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Benefit Dinner at the MGM Grand premier ballroom last Friday night, April 2 in Las Vegas. The event was attended by nearly 250 guests and raised money to fund the Foundations' generous charitable work throughout the Las Vegas community. The Foundation, which Mayweather started in 2007, has a mission statement of empowering and encouraging community alliances, impacting youth leadership and strengthening family foundations through community development, entrepreneurialism and education. The funds raised at the dinner will be allocated among various programs in the areas of education, community outreach, mentoring programs and a youth summer camp. Dinner honorees, recognized for their service to the community, included comedian George Wallace and local school Matt Kelly Elementary.
George Wallace accepts his award for service to the Las Vegas community. Photo Credit: Gene Blevins - Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
"I want to thank Floyd and his Foundation for honoring me at their first gala event," said Wallace. "Floyd is an integral part of this community and he gives back generously. Last year he helped me fund bicycles for kids in need and if it wasn't for his help, those kids might not have received those special gifts. I commend Floyd for his work and achievements as a boxer and as a man."
"The event was extremely successful and the funds raised will go directly to improving our community," said Mayweather. "Although I am very focused on my May 1 fight, giving back is always a nice break, whether it is feeding the homeless or working with youth in Las Vegas is something that is very important to me. It's something I'll continue to do over the next month and beyond."
Spring Break!
Floyd Mayweather's sons help him out while training. Photo Credit: Henry Boothe.
It might have been Spring Break for Floyd Mayweather's kids last week, but that only meant they could spend more time with their dad in the gym who was hard at work. No strangers to supporting their father ringside or while training, his four children Koraun, Zion, Iyanna, and Jirah (ages 6-10) came to the gym everyday to give their dad encouragement and great happiness by them just being there. As the boys Koraun and Zion continue to find their own love for boxing while learning from Roger or getting tips from their grandfather Floyd Sr., his beautiful girls Iyanna and Jirah made sure they were having fun and smiling with their Dad kissing them throughout the day. After the hard work was over, Mayweather took time to step away from the "office" to have some fun with this brood as the entire clan celebrated Zion's ninth birthday with a trip to the movies to see "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" followed by a night at the Thomas and Mack Center to see WWE Smack Down with his two sons.
Floyd Mayweather's daughters visit their dad in the gym. Photo Credit: Henry Boothe.
"My kids are my life and when they have Spring break and can spend more time with me it is just the greatest feeling," said Mayweather. "Boxing is in the Mayweather blood, so they're no strangers to the gym. To see them here enjoying boxing is great. Having them around just gives me extra motivation to go out and do my job."
About Mayweather vs. Mosley: Who R U Picking?
Boxing superstar and six-time World Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather and welterweight mega-star, five-time World Champion and current WBA Welterweight World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley, are set to meet on Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a spectacular bout which will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets, priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
HBO's Emmy®-Award-winning all-access series "24/7" premieres an all new edition when "24/7 Mayweather/Mosley" debuts Saturday, Apr. 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the welterweight showdown in Las Vegas.
The Mayweather vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
The End of Manny Pacquiao: Why Floyd Mayweather JR Wins
The famous welterweight division is playing on all six strings these days. This division is packed with talent. It seems the most exciting fights in professional boxing camps out right here. Andre Berto, Carlos Quintana, Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley, Luis Carlos Abregu both undefeated, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito whose now fighting for boxing privileges are all part of the group. These welterweights mentioned above are considered good fighters in this division. However, there are three names I have not mentioned yet; because these three are running so far ahead of the pack you can’t even see their dust. And…when it comes to star power, these guys are the true faces of the welterweight division. Think Hollywood’s A-list. They are Floyd “Money” Mayweather, JR., Sugar Shane Mosley and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Any permutation of these three names, against each other guarantees a mega fight. It’s been said, the biggest match up of these three welterweights is; Floyd Mayweather JR. versus Manny Pacquiao. This fight becomes a super mega fight. It’s also said this match up will break all records when it comes to attendance and PPV buys. The day this match up becomes a reality, history will be made. Mayweather JR. and Pacquiao have already transcended the sport of boxing. These guys are now known all over the world. Thanks to Bob Arum, not long ago, the Top Rank Boxing promoter released a premature statement saying, “these two fighters have signed a contact agreement to fight.” The “deal is done” was the headlines of all boxing news. Shortly afterwards, a statement hit boxing news, that no contract agreement had been finalized between these two fighters. One week fight fans all over the world were making preparations for the biggest fight in history, and then would soon have their bubble burst all in one day. Back to square one with fight negotiations. What seemed to be really close turned out to be miles away. The demands from both camps took a life of their own. What was intended to be a fight in the ring turned out to be a “war of words” throughout the media. Random drug test, ten million dollars for every pound over the welterweight limit, “I’m suing,” all echoed around the news. It was a real fiasco. The ugly face of boxing surfaced like no other time before. But even at the height of all that garbage, some remained optimistic about this fight. We all thought that after a week are so, the dust would settle and these two camps would pull themselves together; take out there calculators, do some simple math and quickly come to their senses. So far that hasn’t happened. Let’s talk about these two fighters and what they bring. Manny Pacquiao has become an icon in boxing. Today, his name is common in America. He is known as a “Hero” in his country. His courage along with his humble appearance has made him likeable amongst people from all over. He gives 100 percent every time he steps in the ring. Floyd Mayweather, JR., on the other hand is totally opposite when it comes to character. He is well known for bragging, loud mouth, gangster attitude and showing off. Mayweather is seen as the “villain” in the public eye. But when it comes to fighting he knows how to win. Anyone who has placed a bet against him throughout his career walked away sad. Mayweather has never lost a fight! His skills in the ring, are probably the best in the history of boxing. They call it the “sweet science” of boxing. Mayweather has a way of making his opponents miss, and then he counters with the blink of an eye. His hand speed is like lightening fast. After his opponent miss, before they can get back in place, he has already struck. It’s amazing to see an athlete with that kind of accuracy and speed. Manny Pacquiao has been very impressive with his wins over some of boxing elite. He has made some fighters quit before finishing the bout. He has taken some of his opponents out by devastating knockout. The only thing is… he has never been is the ring with someone as crafty and skillful as Floyd Mayweather. That will be the difference in this fight. Think green energy! If you watch any of Mayweather fights, even before he was on the two year layoff. In his corner between rounds he gets very little advice from his trainer, Roger Mayweather. Floyd makes adjustments in the ring. He figures out his competition within the early rounds. He is one of the smartest fighters I’ve seen when it comes to doing this. You can’t teach a fighter to do that! This is something he’s born with; it’s called a “gift.” Roger Mayweather invested his boxing knowledge in Floyd many years ago. Floyd grew up in the boxing gym. His father Floyd, SR., and Uncle Roger were both professional boxers. Boxing is all Floyd knows and he’s damn good at it! This “in the ring gift” he has will allow him to defeat Manny Pacquiao. There is no blueprint on how to beat Mayweather. His conditioning has never been in question. He out thinks his competition in the ring. He will figure out Pacquiao within a few rounds and take over the fight. Trainer Freddie Roach will have no answers. Pacquiao will get through Mayweather’s defense at times, but Floyd will make him pay tremendously. Unlike Joshua Clottey who fought from a shell the entire fight; Mayweather would never do that. His counter punching skills are way too good for that. Not to mention his ego… Pacquiao will not look like the same fighter after about six rounds. He will become frustrated with Mayweather’s style of hit and not get hit technique. He will get close enough to counter punch Pacquiao with ease. Mayweather will win this fight by unanimous decision, if and when this fight takes place. This fight will not be the toughest fight of Mayweather’s career. Not even close. The toughest fight for Mayweather will be his upcoming fight against Sugar Shane Mosley. This match up may come in second place according to dollars made, but the two fighter’s styles could make this fight very exciting. We all know they don’t like each other and Mosley always goes for the knockout. Manny Pacquiao will get to sit back and watch how this May 1st event unfolds, and then decide who he wants next. Either way you slice it, the most money that can be generated in boxing today, is between these three fighters. Fight fans are waiting. Author: Joe Wilson Source: ringsidereport.com
MAYWEATHER VS. MOSLEY FATHERS CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
K. Swanson
We have a great group of people on this call, and I think it's a wonderful opportunity to discuss another side to this magnificent fight that's about to happen on May 1. Just to give you the run-through, what we're going to do is start with, this call really is for Jack Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Sr., both fathers of Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. How we're going to do it is we have Jack Mosley on the line first with Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions. When this part of the call is finished, we will then have Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Leonard Ellerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Mayweather Promotions to join the second half of the call. Without further ado I'm going to turn it over to Richard Schaefer to make the introduction. Richard.
Well, we have three and a half weeks to go for the big historic showdown on May 1 from the MGM Grand between Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley. It really is an exciting time. We're going to have a lot of media calls and information leading up to fight week, and then, of course, during fight week there are a lot of things going on.
Just quick information on the tickets, the $150-300 and the $1000 tickets are all sold out. There are a few $1250s and very few $600s left, and so if you do want to make the trip out there, please let your readers and viewers know that time is now to snap up these few remaining tickets. We do plan as well later on to go on sale with close-circuit location. I think we can have up to 30,000 or more seats available in Las Vegas. This is this kind of event which really warrants this kind of live audience.
There's an interesting angle here as well with the two fathers, with Jack Mosley and of course Mayweather Sr. having played very instrumental roles in their sons' careers, teaching them from a very young age the fundamentals of boxing. Both fathers trained their sons at one point in their professional careers, and both fathers still have a very strong relationship and part of the team of their sons' teams through guidance and support. Both fathers have sort of like gone through the ups and downs as father trainers, being involved in the professional aspect with their sons and all the ups and downs which come with that in that kind of relationship. We felt it was an interesting angle to make the two fathers available to give some thoughts on the showdown, what they think is going to happen and be available for any questions.
It's a pleasure for me now to introduce a man who has been considered and still is one of the great trainers of the sport, who has done so much for the sport of boxing and has done so much for his son, Sugar Shane, to guide him to become one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. As I said, it's a pleasure and an honor for me to introduce to you Jack Mosley. Jack, please, if you could make some comments, what you think about the showdown and any other thoughts you have on the fight. Please, Jack.
J. Mosley
Well, it sounds to me that it's shaping up to me one of the best fights of the decade. Floyd and Shane are two great fighters. They both have speed, tremendous talent. Both have great defenses. I just think it'll be a tremendous fight May 1. It should've happened a long time ago, but better late than never, and the winner should go on to fight Pacquiao.
Question (Q):
I just want to ask you how your relationship with Shane has changed since you've left as trainer.
J. Mosley
It hasn't changed at all. I'm his father. That'll never change.
Q:
Do you feel like sometimes that you should be in there; you should be in the corner with him?
J. Mosley
Well, like I said, he's a great fighter. He's already been trained. For example, like when he went off to the Olympic Training Center, they went around the world fighting. I wasn't there, and he was already trained, so he went on to win fights anyway even though I wasn't in the corner with him because I'm secure enough to know that he knows how to win if he's in the corner by himself.
Q:
Do you think his style has changed at all since-
J. Mosley
No, you don't change styles like that. You learn your style at a very early age, and you'll keep that style.
Q:
Are you satisfied with the progress he's made?
J. Mosley
As far as I'm concerned, he's going to always be a great fighter. That's just the nature of Shane. Shane has been taught to train vigorously for each fight, so he's going to always be in a situation where he's going to progress even if it's not just him doing the work himself. Shane knows how to train. He knows what to do. This is his job. He's been trained. Like if you've been trained to do something in your life, you'll always do it the right to satisfy whoever you're doing the job for.
Q:
Jack, with Floyd being undefeated, I'm wondering in your mind what would a victory for Shane mean, a victory over Floyd, what would that mean for Shane's career?
J. Mosley
Well, obviously, according to all the writers and everybody, it'll be a great feat for Shane. He can go on to fight Pacquiao and once again prove to everybody what a great talent he is and how much he is bringing to the sport of boxing. Well, he's been doing that for all of his boxing career, bringing just great events after event after event to the sport of boxing.
I've always told Shane he needs to talk a little more because the mouth that stays closed never gets fed, so guys like Floyd and Roy and Bernard, they usually kind of get the jump on him because they're running their mouths, and people, while they might not like that, they're on top with the PR stuff, so I encouraged Shane to start talking a little more, so let people know that, yes, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. A win would be tremendous, in fact, stupendous.
Q:
Are you concerned at all about any kind of ring rust being that ...?
J. Mosley
No, Shane trains year-round. He doesn't stop training. He's always busy playing basketball or something. He's like a big kid. Thirty-eight, it doesn't mean anything because Shane takes his supplements. He takes care of himself. He drinks a lot of water and things like that, and that keeps him in shape. My father's 91 and still gets around and moves around, so age doesn't mean anything. I'm 65, and I'm still hitting the bags, jumping around and jumping ropes, doing all kinds of stuff. That's just a number right now for the Mosley's anyway. Now, in some other bloodline it might be something bad for them, but our bloodline, we're living for a long, long time and doing a lot of good stuff.
Q:
Do you remember the first time when Shane was a little kid where you thought, holy cow, this kid really has got something here? Can you remember that moment, and if so, what was that like?
J. Mosley:
Well, Shane's always been energetic. We had to, even when he was in nursery school, we had to get him a tricycle, or a Big Wheel they call it, because all the other kids while they were taking naps, Shane was never, never tired, people asked us to bring in a tricycle or a Big Wheel so he can play while they rest, and he played by himself. Shane was always able to play himself and do things by himself or entertain himself. I remember that when we first started training I said this boxing is going to kind of wear him out. Never did. Even to this day it never does.
Q:
As far as the count level, though, was there some point that you can remember where you thought this kid really has got talent, and we could really make something with him, that kind of thing?
J. Mosley:
Well, the thing is, first I asked Shane if you want to box, you do it for yourself. Don't do it for me because if you want to be a great champion because you have to do it for yourself because when he started boxing he started training with some guys who had three years advance on him, and he was able to hang with them right away, I mean right away. I know right then if he could deal with these guys who've had three years advance on him, they were like 9, 10, and 11, I thought, wow, he's a special person to enter the boxing world because he's doing so great right now with these guys that had all this experience over him. To me, he beat an open fighter his first tournament. His first fight he beat an open fighter and then won the tournament, so I knew right then he was special.
Q:
He's never done anything in the ring that's really surprised you?
J. Mosley
No because he worked so hard to do everything that he wanted to do in the ring. To me, he's always been a workaholic in the ring, even when he was 8 years old starting out. Everything, he wanted to know everything, absorbed everything to be the best.
He's always, like, I want a challenge. I want to win. Everything, cards, I don't care, ping-pong, skateboarding. He wanted to win. Basketball, he wanted to win. He practiced hard to win, so that's been Shane all his life, but at the same time not putting anybody down when he did win like some of the guys do when they beat a guy, stand over him, taunt the guy. I taught him not to do that stuff.
Q:
I'm sorry, one last thing since you mentioned it. You were talking about maybe he should talk more, but one of the things that we so admire about Shane is that he's such an incredibly nice guy. Is that something that you set as a priority for him, too?
J. Mosley:
Yes, and I didn't want people to know he boxed when he started out, and so I told him not to let people know he boxed. Then if you do win, it takes a certain kind of person to get in that ring not knowing what's going to happen to them, so if you beat them, you don't need to ridicule them or put them down or talk about them or anything like that because they're already hurt from losing. I told him not to do that.
Q:
I'm good. Jack, you said in your opening remarks that you thought that this was a fight that should've happened years ago, and you said better late than never. I just wonder from your perspective if you could chronicle how the discussion or the notion that these guys might fight years ago back I guess when Shane was a lightweight champion and Floyd was the junior lightweight champion.
J. Mosley:
Wait a minute, redo that question again. My wife came in and distracted me.
Q:
That's okay. Wives are allowed to do that. You mentioned in your opening remarks about how this fight should've happened years ago. It's happening now May 1, but several years ago was something that was talked about as well. I just wonder your thoughts about the conversation that took place at that time and how serious it was and from your point of view maybe why it didn't happen at that point.
J. Mosley
Well, from what I've been told, Shane was getting ready to move up to 147, and he asked Floyd if he wanted to fight him. If he did, come on up to 135 and they could fight, and then he can go on ahead and move up to 147, but Floyd said he wanted to break the record of I'm not sure who the guys was, Carlos ... or something, break his record of being undefeated of something, a title defenses or something like that. I'm not exactly sure, but it was something like that. Shane said, well fine, and he just moved up to 147, and then of course shortly after that Floyd moved up to 135.
Q:
So it wasn't really serious discussion. It was just sort of two really good champions in their respective divisions, maybe we'll fight, but it just didn't work out.
J. Mosley
It just didn't work out, so Shane moved on up. Shane's that kind of a person. He'll fight you and offer you to fight him and everything, and if you don't want to do it, then he'll say, okay fine. He'll just move on up. Shane's not going to mess around. That's been Shane all his career.
Q:
I wanted to also ask you, do you wish sometimes you were in the corner with Shane working the way you did for so many years. In following that sort of line of thought here, I'm wondering what is your point of view about the work that Naazim has done with Shane.
J. Mosley
I haven't been to Big Bear to see what he's doing. Like I said before, Shane already knows how to fight. I've trained him from age 8 up to now. That's 30 years, and so if he doesn't know how to fight now, he never will. I don't think anybody can train him to fight any different. He already knows how to fight. If Shane at this point wanted someone else to train him, well, fine. He's a grown man, and I stand behind him. If he asked me to train him, would I train him again? Well, yes. That's my son. I'm going to do whatever my son wants me to do to help him in his career. That's where I'm at with it. Right now I'm in a father's role, and I'll support him as his father.
Q:
Right, and I understand that, but I'm wondering your opinion as the father and also as an extremely knowledgeable boxing person and top trainer in your own right when you watch the way that Nazim talks to him in the corner, even if you're not up at camp, like the way he obviously handled the situation with the hand wraps at the L.A. fight last year. I guess maybe you've seen the way Nazim has worked maybe with Bernard Hopkins, if you have an opinion about Nazim.
J. Mosley
No, I haven't really seen him work with Shane or Bernard Hopkins or anything like that. I don't know what he's doing with Shane, but I know when Shane fights he fights the way I've trained him to fight. I see that, but I'm, like you say, a strategy to do certain things well, that might be, that's what he says he's doing. He has a strategy.
But let me say this here, we've been having strategies to fight Floyd since Floyd has been boxing, so if we ever had a chance to fight him, we already knew how to fight Floyd and beat him. It won't be a surprise to me when Shane beats him because we already studied him over and over. I'm sure Floyd has studied Shane over and over again, so we've already laid the tracks across our brains how to fight him, visualization, and actually, just checking him out and everything he does. It's not going to be a surprise to me when Shane wins because we've already had the strategies for years.
Q:
Do you not have an opinion about Nazim as a trainer?
J. Mosley
No, I don't, not really. He's a trainer. He trained Bernard, and now he's training Shane, but Shane's already been trained.
Q:
You mentioned that you taught Shane not to stand over and taunt a guy. Mayweather's known for trying to get into opponent's head by playing head games before a fight. Is that something since you know it's coming that can be prepared for?
J. Mosley
Say that again?
Q:
Mayweather's known for trying to play head games with an opponent before a fight trying to, as he says, beat him mentally before he beats him in the ring. You know there's a lot of trash talking coming. Is that something that you can prepare for before a fight?
J. Mosley
Well, yes because Shane, he's got a strong mind. That stuff doesn't bother him at all. That's something we deal with, too. He let that stuff roll off like water or something. That's not going to get in Shane's head. Shane is such a professional, and he's determined that he doesn't even hear that stuff.
Q:
Do you engage it, or you just let it go?
J. Mosley
Well, it depends on what it is. You can respond to it because you don't want something to go unanswered, like the President. They advised him not to let stuff go unanswered, and so you've got to answer every charge, but you can do it in such a way where it's classy. You don't have to be derogatory and stuff like that.
Q:
Floyd Sr., who'll be on here later, is kind of a bombastic personality in his own right. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on that. Have you ever had any interaction with him that stands out to you more than any other?
J. Mosley
The only thing that stands out from any other is I picked him up and set him to the side when Shane fought Oscar. I don't know if you've seen that. He didn't realize how strong I was because he was in my way of the scales, and he wouldn't move over. I said, "Floyd, you've got to move over. It's my turn to stand by the scales when Oscar got up to weigh in," and he just stood there, and so I said, okay. You're not going to do that to me in front of 5,000 people. I simply lifted him up, moved him to the side and stood there and did what I had to do.
Q:
What did he do?
J. Mosley
He just stood there. He didn't move.
Q:
Before that fight did he trash talk you directly about fighting between your two sons or between Oscar and Shane, whatever the case may be?
J. Mosley
No, we're cool with each other. I speak to him when I see him and everything like that, but the media, when we had to go and talk in front of the media, that's just what it was. I said my say, and he had his say, and that's what we did. We just talked to the media separately.
He would talk a little bit, and I would talk a little bit. He would have his say, and I would have my say, and basically, that was it, but I can see him in the casino or something. I speak to him. He speaks to me. We shake hands and stuff like that. It's nothing crazy happening between us.
Q:
Sure. As you mentioned you've been studying this fight for many years, the potential for it-
J. Mosley
Not this fight. Anytime we fight we just analyze all these different fights and his fighting style and the whole bit, so that's why I say I wouldn't be surprised when Shane wins the fight because we already know how to beat him.
Q:
Which leads me into what I want to ask you about, you mentioned that when Shane fights he fights the way that you trained him to fight.
J. Mosley
Yes, you start your style out at age 8. When you start a style out, you're not going to just change your style overnight.
Q:
Right, what I want to ask you is from your perspective as you watch Mayweather Jr., he's had a decade solid now with Roger Mayweather. Is he a different fighter at all under Roger than he was before that under Floyd Sr.?
J. Mosley
Well, Floyd Sr. and Roger kind of train the same. I've watched them. They kind of train the same, so he's just getting the reinforcement from Roger I believe, and Roger has been a great fighter himself and so has his father. They're both great fighters, but the style that they've given Floyd Jr. hasn't changed.
Q:
You don't foresee that as Floyd Jr. being any more offensive-minded or whatever the case may be under Roger? There are no tweaks in particular that you're noticing?
J. Mosley
No, basically, he's been the same fighter all his career coming off the Olympics and everything. He's the same fighter. He might be slightly more defensive because you've got to be kind of offensive as an amateur, but as a pro he's been more defensive unless you're a guy that he knows he can really, really beat. He'll come after you then. He's not a stupid fighter at all, and he's not going to just run after Shane like Shane is Marquez. He's not going to do that. That's his style. He's got a style where he'll try to adapt to your style, and also, Shane can do the same thing.
Q:
Good. Speaking of styles, my question to you is this. Do you feel as though whoever controls the pace of that fight will ultimately win the fight?
J. Mosley
You could say that because the pace can be controlled in different ways. One could have the pressure on a guy, and putting pressure on the guy is controlling the pace also. The pace can be controlled in different ways, so that's how I look at that.
Q:
I say that because both fighters are, I guess their best weapon in both cases, Floyd is basically a defensive fighter, and Shane is like an offensive fighter, so they tend to control the pace of the fight with their particular styles. That's what made me ask you that question, so which one do you feel as thought would prevail?
J. Mosley
I think Shane is a defensive fighter also. People don't know that. They think he's not, but Shane is a boxer, puncher, I call it a power boxing, and so I'm thinking when you're boxing a guy who may be defensive against all his other fights may not be so defensive against a guy of Shane's talent. You follow what I'm saying? In that respect I just think Shane will just be too much for Floyd to handle, but he's too powerful. He takes a good punch. He hits like a heavyweight, and he's fast enough to hit Floyd. If they think Floyd is faster than Shane, well, let me just say it this way. He's fast enough to hit Floyd over and over and over again, and that's going to be a problem for Floyd and with power.
R. Schaefer
It's a pleasure now to hand it over to our co-promoter, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe, who will introduce Floyd Sr. Please, Leonard.
L. Ellerbe
Thank you, Richard. I want to thank everybody for being on the call on the call today. I really like the idea of this call as it's not really about the fathers who also happen to be boxing trainers, but more so the relationship of these men and their sons and in this particular case the bond that Floyd Sr. has with his son. In my eyes their relationship has been really well documented, and through it all the Mayweather bond between the father and son, it has never wavered in my eyes. The deep love and appreciation that the two have had for a number of years, you can't even begin to even talk about it because I know personally how Floyd Jr. feels about his dad and the impact that he has had on his life.
Floyd Sr. has really played an integral part in his son's career from the very beginning. He's taught him everything that he knows about the sport which has enabled him to be the best fighter in the sport today as we all know. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, none other than in my eyes the best trainer in the sport today, Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Floyd Mayweather Sr.
First of all, I heard Jack. He is crazy. He said crazy things about what Shane's going to do. Shane's going to get his ass whooped. That's what's going to happen. I'm going to tell you.
Floyd's faster than Shane, much faster, much slicker, more clever, smarter. You understand? He's got so many things he can do. Shane can't ever do just what his daddy said, be strong and come straight ahead, and he hasn't got to worry about that because, like I said, all we know is the outline on him because Oscar de la Hoya already showed that. He did that the second time when he fought him, so we already know what to do with Shane ....
He's talking about how fast, he's going to find out how fast he is and how smart he is. To be honest with you, to tell you the truth, he's never even beat a black fighter. That pretty much tells you how it's going to be.
Q:
Floyd, would a victory over Shane Mosley in your mind be one of Floyd's bigger victories in his career and why?
F. Mayweather Sr.
I wouldn't necessarily say that it's his biggest victory. I guess it could be one of his biggest victories, but overall, I'm being honest. I really believe that Shane's not going to be the toughest challenge Floyd has had yet because from what I've seen of Shane, all that Margarito stuff that he did, it isn't anything, man. Believe me. Margarito was a walking mummy, so he was tailor-made for Shane. He's got somebody that he's going to be tailor-made for.
Floyd's just got too many things he can use against Shane. Shane is not smart. He's not smart. He had quick hands. The hands aren't that quick anyway, doesn't usually jab enough, and when he does use it, he's going to get countered. Every time he shoots, something will come flying over the top of it. I just really think that my son's got too many things in his arsenal for Shane. That's what I believe.
Q:
You were quoted on a fight web site that you hear that Shane is getting beat up in training camp. Do you want to expound on that a little bit?
F. Mayweather Sr.
You said you heard that?
Q:
No, I saw you quoted as saying that.
F. Mayweather Sr.
You heard me. You quoted me. Well, I'm going to be honest. It doesn't make any difference if he gets his ass whooped in training or wherever he gets it whooped. He's going to get it whooped on May 1. That's all I was talking about. I'm just saying because if they're whooping his ass right now, it'll make it easier for little Floyd when the 1st gets here.
Q:
Do you like what Floyd's doing in training camp? Do you like how his training has been going?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Floyd's been looking great.
Q:
In what way?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Every way possible. I'm just telling you, Floyd isn't having a problem at all. Floyd's barely getting hit. All this stuff he's talking about the speed, this, that. Floyd's got too much mind for Shane. Trust me. You're going to see. Shane's going to be a walking mummy. I'm going to tell you this right here. Trust me. I'm going to tell you this right here. It's going to be like this right here. ...
Q:
Did you say he's got too much mind for Mosley?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Well, you can call it mind. You've got to use your mind. I said he's said he's too smart for Shane. Like I said, I'm going to let everybody know, I want to let everybody know right here that this fight won't go past 11, and you heard this first from Floyd on 24/7. That's what's going to happen on TV.
Q:
I'm all right, buddy. How much are you in the camp right now?
F. Mayweather Sr.
I'm in the camp every day.
Q:
Are you consulted anymore for this fight for strategy purposes since you have experience specifically putting together a game plan for fighting Shane?
F. Mayweather Sr.
The only thing I can tell you, Dave, is everything's going real good in the camp now, and Floyd's looking very sharp. Like I said, what little Floyd's doing now, man, is amazing right now. I just think that what Jack said, he said that Shane's going to be ... he's got somebody now that can, he's strong, and he's got all this power, but I'm pretty sure you know yourself, Dave, pretty much how that's going to go.
Q:
Is it all a similar game plan fighting Shane for Floyd as it was for Oscar since they have different talents. Floyd and Oscar have different talents. Is there any similarity in the game plan for Floyd fighting Shane ...?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Well, you know something, that's a good thing you laid out right there about Oscar and Floyd fighting Shane. All they do is, it isn't anything but a blueprint right there what Oscar did to him already. It's the blueprint. Oscar beat the hell out of him, but we already know that it's a little bit different here. The blueprint's already laid out for him. He hasn't got any better. How're you going to get better? That's what I want to know. Believe me, Shane knows what's coming.
Q:
What's a tougher fight, Pacquiao or Mosley for Floyd?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Who's going to be the toughest fight? Well, you know something, being real I would say that Shane would be the tougher fight. I only say that for reasons. I'm going to court for some things that have been happening, so that's the only reason I would let you know that Shane would be the toughest fight because of certain reasons.
Q:
I know what you're saying. Hypothetically, all things being equal style wise and tools and things like that, can you compare the two as far as which one might ...?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Yes, Shane would be a much tougher fight if everything was equal. Shane would be much tougher than that whatever over there that fights like a machine. Shane would be much tougher. I'm just saying equally, if everything is on the up and up, Shane would be definitely a much tougher fight.
Q:
Why do you think that's the case?
F. Mayweather Sr.
Well, I just explained that. I think that I explained it, and I think you said you knew. ...
M. Rosenthal Yes, I know what you said. Okay, thank you.
Q:
Floyd, I talked to Shane yesterday, and he feels as though Floyd is fighting the biggest fighter he's ever fought, and he's fighting a guy who hits harder than anybody he's every fought. Obviously, you trained against Shane one time at least once. What do you think of that assertion by Shane?
F. Mayweather Sr.
I don't feel like Shane's the biggest punch. Shane doesn't punch harder than Oscar de la Hoya. Floyd fought de la Hoya. Yes, he did, and Shane is not a bigger punch than de la Hoya. He might swing them a little wider. He might throw his punches a little wider, but as far as him hitting harder, I don't know about that. That's just a bunch of talk. Of course, what do you expect him to say? You've got to remember one thing, hitting on me isn't shit when you can't find anything to hit.
Q:
For you personally given how much of your life with Floyd and we've seen you almost crying on TV and really wanting to be a part of his team-
F. Mayweather Sr.
Let me stop you here. I forgot your name, but let me stop you here. You have never in your life seen me almost crying on TV because I ... crying-
Q:
Well, you were very emotional because that's your son.
F. Mayweather Sr.
I could be emotional, but you've never seen me. I never cried on TV, man. If I decide to cry anyway, it would be personal. It would be me by myself. I've never almost cried on TV. Nobody's ever seen that but you.
Q:
Okay, let me ask you this then. Can you just really sum up for us how important it is to be a part of your son's life ... career?
F. Mayweather Sr.
It is very, very important. I would be lying to you to tell you that I'm not happy to be back with my son. I love my son. That's my blood. My blood runs deep. That's my son, and there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for him because that's why right now as soon as I get through ... gym, I'm at my son's gym because my son's first. Don't get me wrong as far as the crying you're talking about. That never happened, but I will tell you this right here that you could have seen some emotion in me.
Q:
It was close, Floyd. It was close. It was very, very, very close, and it's totally understandable.
F. Mayweather Sr.
Sometimes-
Q:
... right now.
F. Mayweather Sr.
What?
Q:
I can hear it in your voice right now.
