After a degree of chatter across social media and various reports in the British press suggested the contrary, Shane Mosley will not be coming to the UK any time soon to fight Liverpool’s new WBO 154 lb champion, Liam Smith.
An ‘in-principle’ deal for the two to fight on the Queensbury promotions ‘X-mas Cracker’ show on Dec. 19 had reportedly been reached, although an immediate rematch clause -as well as a clash over top of the bill status – have ended talks for now; at least according to Mosley, who has been openly discussing the back and forth status of the fight on his twitter feed.
“Sugar Shane” had stated an immediate rematch was highly unlikely, unless it was within an 8 week period, as he has a fight scheduled for early 2016.
The December show is to be headlined by the WBO 160 lb title fight between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders and Mosley, even when long faded and 44 years old, refuses to be an undercard attraction, with Smith’s team putting the idea on the backburner until 2016, when they hope they may be able to tempt Mosley into a Stadium headline fight in Smith’s Liverpool home.
As it stands at the moment from Shane Mosley’s side, it’s a dead deal, although Smith’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, confirmed to Sky Sports it is still a fight they would like next Summer.
“I think it’s a good fight for Liam Smith but I don’t think it’s one for December,” he said. “I don’t think Smith v Mosley is an undercard fight on any bill. I feel it should be next year in Liverpool, topping the bill. If not, then April or May at Anfield [stadium].
“Shane Mosley is a big name and I feel a lot of people would come out to watch him box. I feel it’s one for 2016 and in Liverpool, topping the bill because I think it’s a fantastic event,” Gallagher added.
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