Mosley plots test of own
If he were to get a dollar for every question about steroids he’ll be asked between now and his May 1 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley figures, he wouldn’t need to climb into the MGM Grand Garden ring to collect his reported $15 million purse.
One of the main story lines to the welterweight showdown that has been 10 years in the making will be Mosley’s past use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts), the reigning WBA welterweight champion, admitted to a grand jury during the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative investigation in 2007 that he had used PEDs supplied by BALCO founder Victor Conte before a 2003 victory over Oscar De La Hoya.
Mosley has passed all of his athletic commission drug tests since. But when Mayweather insisted that Mosley accept Olympic-style random drug testing, including blood testing, as a condition for taking the fight — going well beyond the Nevada Athletic Commission’s screening standards — Mosley didn’t hesitate.
“I’m fine with that,” Mosley said. “Let’s do it. I’ve got nothing to hide. (Mayweather) can test me all he wants. I’m still going to beat him.”
Mosley, 38, hasn’t fought in 13 months since he dominated Antonio Margarito on Jan. 24, 2009, scoring a ninth-round technical knockout to win the WBA title.
He was supposed to return to the ring last month to face WBC champion Andre Berto in a welterweight title unification fight. But Berto pulled out two weeks before the bout, too distraught to fight after several of his family members died in the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
“I don’t like that I’m inactive,” Mosley said. “I like to fight three times a year.
“It’s not the ideal schedule, but I’ll be fine. I’m in great shape, and I’ll stay busy in the gym.”
Mosley said he plans to begin serious workouts with trainer Nasim Richardson in mid-March in Big Bear City, Calif.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) had better be ready if he hopes to remain undefeated, Mosley said.
“It’s probably his most dangerous fight,” Mosley said. “He’s never faced anyone with the speed, power and ability that I have. I’ll have no problem beating him.”
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
