Mosley, Berto set for first big fight of 2010

Shane Mosley couldn’t call out Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he couldn’t get a date with Manny Pacquiao.

Instead, he’ll settle for Andre Berto.

Las Vegas’ first big fight for 2010 is set for Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay, with Mosley meeting Berto in a battle of welterweight champions.

“I’m not going to chase anybody,” Mosley said Saturday. “I’m going to get in the ring with anyone who wants to fight me. I’m not going to chase Mayweather. I’m not going to chase Pacquiao. I’ve said my say. I did what I had to do. It’s up to them now to say, ‘I want to fight Shane,’ and we’ll make it happen.”

Berto said he didn’t feel slighted in not being Mosley’s first choice. Nor did he feel slighted in opening as a plus-190 underdog in the betting (Mosley is a minus-230 favorite).

“I’m in the best division in boxing,” Berto said. “I’m the young buck. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts), the current WBA welterweight champion, hasn’t fought since Jan. 24, when he stopped Antonio Margarito in the ninth round at Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was revealed after the fight that Margarito had an illegal substance in his gloves, resulting in him being suspended for a year, which seems to overshadow how good the 38-year-old Mosley looked that night.

“I’m not worried,” Mosley said of the layoff. “I’ve got the fire in my stomach to fight. I can’t wait to get in the ring and show my stuff.”

Berto, 26, last appeared in the ring May 26, earning a 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Urango to retain his WBC title. Like Mosley, he isn’t too concerned about his recent lack of activity.

“I don’t think it will bother me,” said Berto (25-0, 19 KOs). “My last couple of fights, I’ve worked on things, used my boxing skills. (Mosley) forgot about my power and my speed. I’m going to be the fastest guy he’s ever fought.”

The fight will be televised on HBO. Tickets, priced from $50 to $300, are on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

• GORRES UPDATE — There was good news Saturday on the condition of bantamweight Z Gorres, who collapsed in the ring Friday following his win at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

According to Top Rank and Nevada Athletic Commission officials, Gorres, 27, was in stable condition and responding to stimuli at University Medical Center following treatment for a subdural hematoma.

Gorres had just won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Melendez when he collapsed in his corner. He had to be carried out on a stretcher and was taken directly to UMC for treatment. He was operated on late Friday by Las Vegas neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Seiff.

Details of the operation were not known. Gorres is expected to be hospitalized for the next few days.

• HOUSE OF BLUES RESULTS — Alberto Rosas scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Federico Catubay in an IBF super flyweight elimination bout Friday in the main event of Top Rank’s fight card at the House of Blues.

Rosas (31-5) dominated throughout and was ahead 117-111 on two of the judges’ scorecards and 116-112 on the other. Catubay fell to 25-16-3.

In the co-feature, Filipino welterweight Mark Melligen was upset by Michel Rosales, losing a 10-round split decision.

Rosales (25-3) dominated the second half of the fight. Paul Smith and Eric Cheek had Rosales ahead 96-94, and Burt Clements scored it 98-92 for Melligen (18-2).

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.