How Mosley Should Fight Pacquiao...LOTIERZO

Written by Frank Lotierzo

Monday, 02 May 2011 20:28

How Mosley Should Fight Pacquiao...LOTIERZO After watching the CBS Pacquiao-Mosley 360 special last Saturday night, it appears that Mosley's trainer Naazim Richardson wants Shane to fight Pacquiao the way Juan Manuel Marquez did during their rematch. In other words, he wants Shane to wait and react to Manny's presumed aggression. And it looks like that decision was made after watching Marquez catch Pacquiao with some good clean counter shots as Manny was bringing the fight to Marquez.

Throughout his career Mosley 46-6-1 (39) has been at his best fighting as a counter-puncher. Historically, Shane has looked to land the big shot against an opponent who was at least trying to lead. Mosley's physical strength, thudding right hand and speed usually softened up his opponents for him later in the fight. Once his opponents were slowed Mosley fought more aggressively and imposed his will and usually got the stoppage victory. Even during his losing efforts against Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright (two bigger opponents who forced him to fight as a counter-puncher because of their size, reach and strength advantage over him), they were somewhat held in check by Shane's hand speed and quick combinations. And when all was said and done, it was Mosley's quickness and terrific stamina that kept him in those fights. Minus his stamina, quickness and unbreakable heart--how many fighters would've gotten out of the first fight with Forrest?--Shane wouldn't have been able to stay with Forrest or Wright.

However, it's 2011 and Mosley's speed and stamina have declined dramatically. In fact if you notice the promotions for Pacquiao-Mosley only show Shane's knockout over Antonio Margarito during the highlight package. And that fight was 29 months ago and Mosley clearly isn't the same fighter now as he was then. And if you break Pacquiao and Mosley down as fighters at this time, Pacquiao has the advantage in almost every important category, and he's a southpaw.

Manny can put punches in bunches together better, he's quicker and faster, he has better stamina and is unlike any opponent Mosley has ever faced. On the other hand Mosley is presumed to be the bigger man, but during the pre-fight poses he really only looks taller. And during the CBS specials he looks a little puny. Aside from size, Mosley probably holds the advantage in single shot power, and that's the area he must impose on Pacquiao during the fight. Especially since Manny hasn't had a fighter in front of him since moving up from super-featherweight who could force him to break off the exchange first if he was forced to trade one-for-one with them. And even at that it's not a given Mosley at almost 40 can do it, but it is his best chance.

The reality is Mosley can't win a decision over Pacquiao 52-3-2 (38). If the rounds are close, Manny will get the benefit because it's better business for boxing if he wins, not to mention due to his better stamina he'll win them legitimately. Also, if Mosley fights as the counter-puncher and tries to wait and then react to what Pacquiao does, the odds are overwhelming that he'll finish second and he'll lose the round. The faster fighter with better reflexes will win the wait and react contest nine outta 10 times. Mayweather peppered Shane while he was waiting and trying to react to what Floyd did because after the second round his legs were gone and he was reduced to desperately fighting in spurts. Luckily for Mosley, Mayweather only throws one punch at a time mixed in with a few change-up one-twos. Pacquiao throws punches in volume and with more variation and power. So Mosley can forget about out-boxing and out speeding Pacquiao for more than a round or two of the scheduled 12 they're slated for.

In order for Mosley to have a shot at scoring the upset win over Pacquiao, he must throw caution to the wind and roll the dice. It's possible that Shane can get the better of Pacquiao if they both hold their ground and cut loose. Based on Mosley's last two fights it appears that he can only raise hell for two or three rounds, tops. So why not go out and try to assert your supposed advantage in strength and size while the tank is full? If Mosley doesn't go at Pacquiao and force him to empty his wagon during the first few rounds, he'll end up taking a one sided shellacking in the same manner that Antonio Margarito did with no chance to win.

Shane should even risk an early DQ if he needs to in order to rough Manny up and impose his will in the first couple of minutes. If Manny has to think about how to push Shane back, or how to disentangle himself off the ropes, he might be susceptible to being tagged. Because Shane's stamina is gone, he's got only a tiny window of time to do this and exercise his one presumed advantage - that being he's a bigger single shot puncher than Pacquiao is.

Even if Mosley goes all out for the early stoppage and ends up getting stopped later in the fight, he'll have gone out on his shield and will be remembered for the true warrior he's been since his pro debut. And really, if Shane can't beat Manny by trading with him in 2011, is it really plausible to believe he would've had a better chance to upset him by fighting Manny's fight? I think not. Therefore Shane should go for broke early and hope to either score the early stoppage or perhaps hurt Pacquiao enough so he has to think about what he's doing and what might happen, as opposed to fighting in his natural progression without a care at all while he's in the ring.

This strategy may seem like desperation, but in reality if Mosley doesn't take a chance, he doesn't stand a chance. After all he's nearly 40 years old and his speed and reflexes have diminished. He can't stay with Pacquiao for 12 rounds and must get him out early to have a shot at scoring the upset.

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

Comment on this article

L.C. says:

Its futile for Mosley in every way. He can't win!

Big Daddy says:

Resistance to the Pac-Borg IS Futile.. Manny vs. Moseley is better as a Dream Match-Up like at LightWeight. Nowaday's this is Mis-Match All Day EveryDay

FighterforJC says:

So what happens when Mosley lands that single shot and Pacquiao takes it? Surely, Mosley has a better plan than to get lucky with the one shot. As I've said a million times, Mosley's best chance is to wrestle Pacquiao. Mosley should grapple him the way he did Margarito. Roach should be ready for this and warn the referee to not let Mosley get away with MMA tactics. The only way older fighters with shot reflexes can get the better of their younger foes is through holding, which is the key to Hopkins' and Randy Couture's success in their 40's. You barrel in like a tank with your guard high and be willing to pay the price to get close enough to grab, then you take your superior opponent down to your level. That's what Mosley ought to do and will probably do regardless of all the talk that he's going to shoot it out with Pacquiao and force him on the defensive. Ideally, the best way to beat Pacquiao is to keep his aggression in check by standing your ground and letting your hands go when he lets his. Lighter, quicker fighters like Marquez and Morales were able to do this and it gave Pacquiao fits. If you want to take turns with Pacquiao he'll never give you a turn. He'll circle like a shark and jump in whenever he likes.

Radam G says:

Sugar Shane Mosley can fight Da Manny as Peepee-drinking Marquez did twice. And the Sugarman will get kayoed early -- probably in the first round. A starved PacMan fought a comfortable-weight Marquez. SSM is the starved fighter in this bout. He will be finished and out of energy in three or four rounds. Bottomline, SSM has as much of a chance of negative five plus zero equaling 40. Serving hope sandwichs and wishing chewing gum won't help him. Dude is fighting for money, not da honey. Da Manny gets him in six rounds or less. Holla!

Robert Curtis says:

The problem is that Mosley has no legs. You can't fight what you can't catch or see. Manny will not be cornered or stay on the ropes. A grabbing strategy sounds better on the page. Shane will take 3-5 solid pops in the face before he can close his arms around Manny. By the time Shane does close his arms, he'll find them empty and his kisser will be stinging. If Mosley gets rough, ugly, risks a DQ, goes for broke, etc., he may just dismantle himself faster than necessary and assist in his own sad butt-whupping. Manny keeps his cool in battle and listens to Freddie who has a nose for victory. Genie Nazim has good ideas too, but he can't make a 40 year old magic carpet float. Unless Mosley imposes his will in the 1st round, he's got little chance of getting out on top. What can he do in one round? Chase Manny and pound him wherever he can? Punch his shoulders, chest, arms? Start wrestling and leaning on Manny? No. Pacquiao is too well-conditioned. You're not going to take his title away with a fast brawling strategy.

brownsugar says:

Congrats BigDaddy for the Quote of Note!!!.... Righteous!!!.............Just go out and give it all he's got for as long as it lasts... Hearns vs Hagler... a 3round fight of the year.. to the winner goes the spoils of war.

ali says:

@Brownsugar.....Hagler vs Hearns I could see that happening I think Mosley is going to let it all hang out early and Pac will be right there throwing punches back.

admin says:

I'd hire you to work my corner. I am old enough so that your strategy would be useful for me! Hey, you saw Cuture get KTFO, right? Old guys, diminished reflexes, it can be hard to watch

FighterforJC says:

I'd hire you to work my corner. I am old enough so that your strategy would be useful for me! Hey, you saw Cuture get KTFO, right? Old guys, diminished reflexes, it can be hard to watch

Not exactly sure what your point was, but yeah I saw Couture get his teeth knocked out with the crane kick and I've seen when Chuck Liddell knock him out worse. Doesn't change the fact that Couture's best chance was to clinch. Same goes for Mosley. His best chance outside of landing the lottery punch is to grapple Pacquiao.

Big Daddy says:

Thanx B-Suge and whoever picked me..

ali says:

When was the last time u seen someone able to grab Pac ....Its reason why you never see Pac in a fight where there is alot of holding....He's uses all kinds of angles throws a million punches and never gets tired enough for you to get on the inside to hold.

FighterforJC says:

When was the last time you seen anyone do ANYTHING to Pac? Shane is big, strong and a very capable grappler. That's one thing that won't leave him even long after his reflexes are completely shot.

Radam G says:

Team Oldsley -- I mean Mosley -- is toasted. The weight ins are friday afternoon, and Sugar FAT-A$$ -- I mean Shane is still three kilos over the limit. Once again, the long-in-da-tooth great has used all his funk to make weight. Like I said, this bout for Sugar Shane is not for the honey, but just the money. Dude know that he is gettin' da hinny roasted. All my P-Boys from ST6, yall da MANS [sic]! You, your families and all your colleagues enjoy dat R and R, and you know where da party is. Holla!

Robert Curtis says:

Mosley should take it easy, for chrissake. There is no sense in him starting his retirement with a lot of hospital bills. If he plays the aggressor, he'll run out of gas fast and Manny will take him out early and bloody. Mosley should aim for losing on points. That would be the best. If the great Sugar Shane can go the distance with dignity and get in a few good shots along the way, he'll have done a lot more than anyone else has done to Manny lately. We'd see too much of Mosley's blood with a smash, crash and grapple strategy. If these fighters were both young men, I'd agree and say, Sure, imitate the ferocity of Hagler-Hearns. I hope Shane has the best night an older fighter can have and that Genie Nazim has his Genie on. Survival and a lucky shot are the best they can hope for.

Real Talk says:

If I was Mosley I would print this out, blow my nose in it, ball it up n sky hook it in the trash. Mosley hands are fast enough to be a problem for anybody. Anybody! Good timing with his jab will stop Pac from getting in a rythm and slow the fight down...Morrales did that. The lead right, left hook will keep him off balance....Marquez did that....twice! Shane should be first with the brick, hook. Go to the body...it will pay off and make Pac respect you. He will have to use more caution and look b4 he leaps which will give Shane more shots at being first. Pacquiao is overrated, great fighter but overrated. All the comments I read that casts him as invincible is a testament to the Bobfather being a Master promoter. Diaz=tomatoe can, De la Hoya=weight drained deadman who got an IV in the dressing room(Floyd fought him @ 154). Ricky"Humpty Dumpty" Hatton= damaged goods(never was the same after Pretty Boy), Cotto= weight drained dead man fought at a catch weight for HIS belt an wasn't recovered from beatng with 2 bricks for 11 rds, Clottey=threw the fight(Cotto whooped him), Margarito= bum without loaded gloves...Shane destroyed him, obliterated him so how good is Pac who wouldn't fight Sahne 3 years ago @ 142...12 lbs below the weight he was fighting??? I'm just stating the facts. One thing about boxing one punch can change everything. Dueces

Radam G says:

It is all good, Real Talk. You keep selling hope sandwichs, but THC PacMan is going to give Sugar Shane a knucklesandwich beatdown. Of course PacMan didn't fight Shane three years ago. There is no shame in that. Money May didn't fight Tijuana Tornado Tony six years ago. The game is prizefighting, not pridefighting. Da Manny is whuppin' da Sugarman for a BIG prize, not immensed pride. Some people stay poor their own life because they are on a pride train, instead of a prize train. There is a time for pride, and a time for prize. Da Manny has own his GRAND-PRIZE game.Holla!

admin says:

My point was, I liked your assessment...

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