Story remains the same: Mayweather by decision
This is the best time. The time when all hype ceases. The time when we can stop laughing at news releases about whom Floyd Mayweather Jr. is picking to win the NBA championship or how he thinks the NFL Draft might take shape, because we are still searching to locate one soul on earth who waited for those pearls.
The time when it doesn’t matter who you are picking or how many new enablers/bodyguards/hangers-on have joined the Mayweather entourage or how many new ways Shane Mosley can avoid questions about his past use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The best time. Fight time.
The question is, how good a fight will it really be?
"Hard to say," trainer Freddie Roach said this week. "Mayweather ducked this fight for a long time, and it’s finally here. But while Shane is my friend and I hope he wins, Mayweather is one of the best boxers in the world. Shane is going to have trouble putting any pressure on Mayweather. I want to see their game plan for doing that."
And …
"Shane will have to get lucky."
Roach will watch tonight’s fight from the MGM Grand Garden on pay per view with more than passing interest. He is the trainer to Manny Pacquiao, the world’s pound-for-pound king who is again running to win a congressional seat in the Philippines.
It is assumed Pacquiao will fight tonight’s winner this year if PPV splits and drug-testing protocols and other significant matters can be settled.
It is assumed by most that the opponent will be Mayweather.
It’s a good assumption.
We have been here before, only with less-talented fighters than Mosley. Someone is always going to engage Mayweather, crack through his seemingly impenetrable defense, force him to stand and trade punches.
It’s a "Groundhog Day" tale, and yet the part that happens over and over is Mayweather winning. Until proven otherwise, he’s an unbeaten champion who has won six titles in five weight classes and who has yet to face anyone skilled enough to defeat his style.
"Shane grew up fighting Mexican fighters who came at him all day long," Roach said. "It’s the style he has always preferred during his career. Mayweather is the complete opposite. Mayweather won’t engage that often. He hardly ever does.
"Mayweather gets better as the fight goes longer. He doesn’t watch a lot of tape on opponents, but he sets them up along the way during the fight. He’s a bit of a slow starter, so Shane’s best bet is an early knockout. But (Mayweather) is a very intelligent fighter. Say what you want about him, he is very good at what he does and is very smart in the ring."
Roach has been known to lay thousands of dollars on Pacquiao fights, betting slips he has cashed far more than not. But he said this week his gambling days are finished, that he won’t wager on tonight’s fight or any other, that he works too hard for his money to keep risking it. But there is little doubt which way he would lean.
While Mosley is the elite welterweight lacking from Mayweather’s list of 40 victims, he is also a fighter who has had trouble with counterpunchers (see the late Vernon Forrest), never mind one of Mayweather’s level. Mosley has had issues against skilled boxers. Mayweather is one of the world’s best.
Mosley is 38; Mayweather is 33.
Antonio Margarito, plaster-filled gloves and all, was the perfect brawling opponent for Mosley in January of last year. Mayweather is not.
"I don’t know what to think about that," Mosley said. "I know I’m in great shape, ready to go, sharper than ever, faster than ever and my power is extreme. All the guys I have lost to were great fighters.
"But I’m in a great place right now. (Mayweather) is great. I’ve been crying about getting this big a fight for a long time. To be in one like this … a megafight. I’m really happy."
Freddie Roach will root for this friend tonight, correct in his observation that — while it might not be as marketable or attractive to pay-per-view buyers — Pacquiao-Mosley would be a more exciting fight than Pacquiao-Mayweather.
Problem: It doesn’t always work out the way others want.
"When I fight guys who they say will give me a tough fight, I can’t help that the fight is so one-sided the fight is boring," Mayweather said. "That’s not my fault. It’s just that I’m that good."
He will be again tonight, by decision.
All that’s missing is Punxsutawney Phil.
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618.
