Pacquiao: Now, Mayweather must beat Mosley

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ARLINGTON, TEXAS—His mission accomplished, Manny Pacquiao is now calling out on Floyd Mayweather Jr. to do his part against Shane Mosley so that their aborted megabuck showdown can push through.

Pacquiao came out firing on all cylinders to trounce Joshua Clottey by unanimous decision Saturday night and keep his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown before a packed Cowboys Stadium here.

Now, Mayweather has to get past fellow American Mosley in their battle for the World Boxing Association welterweight crown on May 1.

“I want that fight,” said Pacquiao, to the roar of the 50,944 crowd that trooped to the $1.2-billion facility. “The people want that fight.”

It was the third biggest attendance in modern-day boxing, surpassed only by the 72,000 that watched the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks bout at the Superdome and the 60,000 that witnessed the Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker tiff at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Pacquiao, named Fighter of the Decade by practically every boxing group all over the world, added it was up to Mayweather to accept the challenge that would settle the score on who’s the greatest fighter of his generation. The seven-time, seven-division champion Pacquiao and the unbeaten Mayweather are both claimants of the pound-for-pound throne.

“It’s up to him (Mayweather),” said Pacquiao. “To us there’s no problem. We’re ready to fight anytime. Maybe he’s not ready to fight yet. Maybe some other time.”

Pacquiao, however, hinted that he would not wait forever as there are other opponents being lined up by his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank like former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. There’s also Mosley, who has been dying for a shot at Pacquiao.

“He should win against Mosley,” said Pacquiao. “If not, Mosley and I will fight.”

Later, during the post-fight press conference, Pacquiao reiterated his desire to fight Mayweather, who was supposed to be his foe Saturday but was substituted by Clottey when negotiations fell apart due to Mayweather’s demand for Olympic-style random drug testing.

Wearing dark sunglasses to cover a lump on his right cheek, Pacquiao said he doesn’t think Mayweather (40-0) is impregnable.

“I think his style is not difficult. It’s not difficult to study,” said Pacquiao, who analyzes an opponent’s style with chief trainer Freddie Roach.

If Pacquiao-Mayweather pushes through, it is projected to be the biggest ever in the sport, with both fighters assured of a payday of $30 million upwards.

Mayweather vs Mosley Live.

Source: Sports.Inquirer.com