By Stanley Gilmer
I have watched both fighters in numerous fights over their collective careers. No doubt Sugar Shane Mosley is the harder puncher and the naturally stronger, aggressive fighter but Floyd “Money” Mayweather, is naturally quicker and better defensively. Shane is much easier to hit. Who has the better chin? Maybe Shane but Floyd has never been hit like Shane has been hit and Shane’s misshapen nose is a testament to that fact. Floyd’s nose ain’t bent outta shape and disfigured.
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However, stamina is going to decide this battle. If Floyd has the stamina to box Shane in the middle of the ring moving and using his boxing skills to out maneuver, out slick Shane, he will win the early rounds hands down. If he has to go to the ropes, at any time early, and Shane goes downstairs to the body like he professes, then Floyd must make Shane suffer the consequence with hard uppercuts inside and use his famous shoulder to elude head shots when Shane attacks.
Mayweather must get off the ropes quickly and box, stick and move and drop that left hook on Shane if and when Shane gets careless like Juan Manuel Marquez did against Floyd Mayweather. If it goes to the middle rounds, 5 through 8, stamina should begin to set in and Floyd should have Shane pretty well sized up and begin to stand his ground a little more adding power to his shots while still continuing to use the stick move tactics, dropping in an occasional sucker punch.
Quickness beats speed to the punch. There is a difference. Shane Mosley is not as quick as Floyd, nor as shifty so he can harp about his speed all he wants to. Stamina is the key to it all. Can Floyd Mayweather briskly stick and move for 12? Will Shane chase him relentlessly? Or will Shane try to out box and out maneuver Floyd in the middle of the ring? The fight off the ropes is key for Floyd. Oscar De La Hoya flailed away on Mayweather like a washerwoman when he had Floyd against the ropes to no avail.
Does Floyd have the stamina to put it on Shane 3 or 4 rounds before the ropes come into play? Will Shane attempt to cut the ring off to limit Floyd’s mobility? If Shane suffers facial cuts, he will be TKO’d. Both fighters have heart. Floyd is not known to cut outside a slight abrasion here or there.
Neither man is a punk. If push came to shove Money Mayweather will gut your ass but why should he when he does not have to? Floyd ain’t no grammar school bully. He’s just a smart ass fighter that will knock your ass out when pushed. Oscar De La Hoya shot off his mouth, at a recent press conference, saying he knows who will win on May 1st because he fought both guys.
De La Hoya was way bigger than Floyd yet Floyd still thumped his ass. Popped him on his face time and time again throughout their match. Shane ripped De La Hoya mercilessly because he stood in front him like a damn fool. Beat his ass down. Everyone knows De La Hoya is praying and hoping for Shane Mosley to find a way to win.
Well, I’m counting on Floyd Mayweather to find a way to whoop Shane’s ass. Floyd hopefully, will not fall into that phone booth warfare garbage and just box Shane Mosley to defeat. Other than that stamina, my man, is the key. Stamina, stamina, stamina.
**Tune into HBO 24/7 Mayweather-Mosley Finale on Friday, April 30th, and watch HBO Overtime immediately after the finale online with trainers Jack Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Sr. on HBO.com. The Emmy Award winning HBO 24/7 , has featured the best boxers in the world, from Manny Pacquiao to Floyd Mayweather Jr.**
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