07.11.07 – By Scoop Malinowski — But also calls Cotto a “soon-to-be legendary fighter”
“I’m going to be aggressive the whole entire fight,” declared Sugar Shane Mosley, without concern. Hey, that’s why he’s a Hall of Fame fighter – he knows what to do in the ring against the era’s best warriors and come out on top.
What about Cotto’s bold words yesterday, that he will take his WBA Welterweight title with him back to Puerto Rico on Sunday? No problem for Shane. “I mean, Cotto could go back to Puerto Rico but not with the victory. Victory is gonna be mine.”
“It’s going to be a tremendous fight,” admitted the 36-year-old warrior. “I know it’s going to be explosive. I love to sit there and war with a guy. And sit there and fight. That’s just my nature. But I can box very well and I can move. I’m going to do what it takes to win the fight – whether it takes moving and little bit and fighting. But I’m definitely gonna sit there and punch with him. Because I know that I’m a very hard puncher and probably the stronger fighter in this fight..”
That contention by the former champ will surely be challenged on Saturday night by Cotto. Mosley continued: “The thing is, I’m a little faster and I got some pop as well. I also know from way back when I fought John John Molina, Wilfredo Rivera and all those other guys – all these guys talked about what a tremendous body puncher I was. So, I can do body punches, I can do head shots, I can do it all. That’s what makes me the fighter I am today.”
Very true. Mosley is and was a great champion of the ring. But a large segment of the boxing community thinks the Sugar Man could be in over his head this time with the ruthless and relentless body punching of the unbeaten 27-year-old Cotto, who most likely hits with more violence to the ribs than Vernon Forrest. “Well, actually, with Vernon Forrest, I didn’t have body problems. What happened was, after my fight with Shannan Taylor I had hernia surgery. And I had to get like an incision. So after I fought Shannan Taylor I went to go do the surgery and then I fought Vernon and that’s where he hit me – right on my incision.”
Mosley, always a class act with the fans and media throughout his career, spoke with a matter-of-fact confidence that was quite persuasive. Despite the absolutely devastatingly convincing workout demonstration 24 hours earlier by Cotto, you almost found yourself beginning to believe in the likeable Californian.
Shane, you sound as if you know you are going to win this fight, I said. “I believe in my heart I’m going to win this fight,” answered the modest but deeply confident four-time world champion. “And it’s probably gonna be no problem. But you never know until you get in the ring.”
From there, Mosley went on to reveal that respect from the public was another motivation for him versus Cotto.
“I want the respect of the people. And that’s what it’s all about. The win is cool but – and I’m gonna get the win – but the respect – and that’s what I’m fighting for now. I won all the titles in different weight divisions and all that stuff, it’s now gaining respect from the fans, the people and everybody around the world.”
Say what? Shane is one of the most beloved and revered champions in the world today. How could he possibly feel like he hasn’t been given his proper respects?
“I gained a lot of respect, where you start to come to the end of your career at 36, Ah, he can’t do it no more, he’s too old, he’s this ‘n that. I love proving the doubters wrong. So I’m gonna prove them wrong the night of the fight. We’re definitely gonna prove them wrong in a major way.”
Is Mosley concerned about the factor that the majority of Madison Square Garden on Saturday night will probably be vociferous Puerto Ricans rooting for Cotto and against him? “I know that they respect me, I know that the Puerto Rican fans respect me and respect what I do. So it’s not going to be any problem to me. They’re going to cheer for him. That’s great. I’m happy that they’re behind, they will be behind a soon-to-be legendary fighter in Miguel Cotto. But I know that after I’m done with him, that he’s gonna come back and he’s gonna do his thing. But it’s just something that I have to do.”
Mosley also went on to say after defeating Cotto, he will fight Floyd Mayweather, who he thinks will defeat Ricky Hatton, next year.
That’s all I can tell you about Shane Mosley’s media workout, as I was suddenly deceptively called outside and locked out by two goons at the Kingsway Gym by a Nurse Ratchet-type publicist who evidently resents me because I did Biofile interviews with Winky Wright and Ricky Hatton against her will earlier this year. Hey, I thought publicists were supposed to help the media do interviews, not prevent them, right? And how could this publicist falsely accuse a veteran reporter of asking athletes for autographs – 100% lie – when I have never done so once (I abhor autographs) while also insultingly – and without basis – calling me “unprofessional?” Hopefully this matter will be resolved peacefully.
Check out the Bob Arum Biofile at www.thebiofile.com.