Pacquiao camp denies Mosley matchup

Shane Mosley wants Manny Pacquiao in the worst way. So badly so that he was willing to put out a false alarm that he had him.

Mosley’s public relations staff Wednesday issued a news release claiming Pacquiao, boxing’s supposed pound-for-pound champion, had agreed to fight Mosley in October at a catch weight between 140 and 147 pounds. But Pacquiao and his promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, said Thursday they haven’t spoken with Mosley about a fight.

According to the release by Mosley’s staff, Pacquiao reportedly told GMA News in the Philippines that he would fight Mosley. Mosley claimed Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer and Arum were finalizing details for an Oct. 17 date.

That was news to Arum, who is focusing on a June 13 welterweight fight between Miguel Cotto and Josh Clottey in New York.

“I haven’t discussed anything with Manny,” Arum said. “I’m going to see Manny in New York next week, and we’ll sit down and talk.”

It also was news to Pacquiao.

“It’s funny that I am the last man to know about this supposed fight,” he said through his publicist. “I know everyone wants to fight me, and I have said I will fight anyone, including Mosley. But I have not heard from my promoter or have seen any contract or fight detail. So there is no fight yet.”

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