Pacquiao-Mosley: TWO DAYS TO GO
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 May 2011
LAS VEGAS, Nevada) -- Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao fights ?Sugar? Shane Mosley Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in what could be a celebration of a decade long successful campaign in the United States on the way to becoming the only fighter to be crowned champions in eight weight divisions.
It was 10 summers ago when an obscure Filipino substitute beat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in just six rounds to emerge the world super-bantamweight champion, his second after ruling, too the flyweight division a few years back.
That 12-round bout was one of the undercards of the Oscar De La Hoya-Javier Castilejo fight held in this same place and arena where Pacquiao and Mosley will try to destroy each other for the Filipino?s 147-pound crown.
That victory, which no one, except the Pacman himself and his team believe would happen, opened the door for what turned one of the most colorful career that saw the nation?s Pambansang Kamao hammered out a string of 13 wins, including one against De La Hoya himself whom he forced into retirement.
Not only that, he, likewise, made himself a congressman representing his wife Jinkee?s province of Sarangani in far south of the country.
Saturday?s date with Mosley will be Pacquiao?s first in this ?Sin City? and the MGM Grand, site of his many triumphs since 2009.
Both Pacquiao and Mosley vowed to prevail during the last press conference called for the bout, where the protagonists spoke nothing but admiration and respect for each other.
Pacquiao warned though that his rival is a dangerous opponent though there was no sign of fear in his appearance as he could not help chuckling and laughing when the two adversaries posed for photographers ?
"There has not been trash talk for this fight, and I am happy for that. It sets a good example for the children who idolize fighters. In my life, this is the best promotion I?d ever been involved in,? Pacquiao said in his statement before hundreds of media men from all over the world.
"I am looking forward to Saturday give a good fight for the fans. I am definitely not taking this fight lightly and I am not underestimating Shane Mosley. Mosley has good hand- and foot-speed and he moves like he is 31 or 32," he said by way of describing what he felts about his rival.
?All my life, I?ve had to fight. As a child I had to fight to eat. Now when I fight, the Filipinos call me a hero. I think the world needs more heroes. My biggest fight is not in boxing. My biggest fight is to end poverty in my country. I will be wearing yellow gloves into the ring on Saturday ? as a symbol of unity in the fight against poverty,?? he remarked betraying his sentiment about his countrymen?s plight.
And he'll do it wearing yellow gloves, because there are fights that are bigger than those taking place in the ring.
"All my life I've had to fight. As a child, I had to fight just to eat," Pacquiao said. "The biggest fight in my life is not in boxing. The biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country."
The duo will wear a pair of yellow gloves to promote unity against poverty aren't just a symbolic gesture. Neither was getting elected to congress in the Philippines.Manny Pacquiao, right, arrives at a news conference, Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Shane Mosley on Saturday.
Pacquiao, who looked splendid in his suit, then walked over to the edge of the stage in the showroom at the MGM, leaned over and shook hands with Mosley's father, Jack, and several other friends and family members.
Mosley, not to be outdone, was all praises for his opponent, saying: ?Pacquiao is a short welterweight, but he?s not a small welterweight. He?s very powerful. This is like a Mike Tyson fight ? we?re heavyweights out there. I?m looking to go out there, take charge and beat Manny Pacquiao."
"I can muster all that energy that I had against Margarito. This type of fight reminds me of when I was able to do a lot of damage in the lightweight division. It?s kind of like going back in time" Mosley, a former three-division kingpin himself, said.
Commenting on his 8-1underdog status the title pretender said: "I don?t know, that?s what the odds makers are saying. That?s fine with me. The main goal is to get the win and then we can talk about being an underdog. I don?t pay attention to that ? I?ve been an underdog in a lot of my fights.
SIDELIGHTS:
?Eye of the Tiger,? theme song of Rocky III film starring Sylvester Stallone will be heard when World Boxing Organization kingpin Manny Pacquiao climbs the ring when he stake his crown against ?Sugar? Shane Mosley Saxturday at the MGM Grand here.
It was Pacquiao himself who chose the entrance Survivor?s 1982 single, which Stallone also selected after failing to get right to use Queen?s classic ?Another One Bites the Dust.?
Mosley, on the other hand, will be going with LL Cool J's classic "Mama Said Knock You Out," according to boxing writer Michael Marley who wrote the tune is one of the great songs in hip-hop history.
Marley also reported that Rick Ross may not be part of Pacquiao's entourage as previously reported.
Manny Pacquiao?s kin looked to have been given their own grand welcome upon their arrival in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 3 (US time) to watch the Filipino superstar?s fight with Shane Mosley on May 7.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao?s estranged father Rosalio arrived here to watch his son?s title fight. Mang Rosalio, who left his wife Dionisia and his brood of six when Pacquiao was only six years-old, arrived with daughter ?Isidra and picked up by fleet of luxury vehicles that which included a Rolls Royce with designated chauffeurs that too them to their hotels?
This will be the first time sincer Pacquiao rose to international prominence that Mang Rosalio will be watching his son fight. He, along with Aleng Dionisia, now popularly called ?Mommy D? was also at ringside during Pacquaio?s fight with Miguel Cotto two years ago.
Mommy D, who had been egging Pacquiao to retire, opted though to be left behind in Manila. She was at ringside during Pacquiao?s 12-round demotion of Mexican Antonio Margarito November last year.
Reports said she is currently preparing for her grand birthday celebration on May 15 in General Ssantos City ion South Cotabato.
Mang Rosalio, who already has a family, arrived together with Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, a close friend and avid supporter of the pound-for-pound king.
Reports also said that an open house at Pacquiao?s mansion in Binan, Laguna awaits his neighbors who would like to watch the fight
?Magpapakain kami. Nitong laban [na ito] mag-lechon kami,? a house helper, Analyn Candan, was reported to have said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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