Manny Pacquiao sorry for fans after Shane Mosley fails to put up a fight
Manny Pacquiao’s comfortable victory over Shane Mosley was far from the classic it might have been between two modern ring legends.
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By Gareth A Davies, Boxing Correspondent Las Vegas 8:13PM BST 08 May 2011
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In fact, it never really got started. Pacquiao forced a landslide 119-108, 120-108, 120-107 points decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with the Californian hell-bent on defence and survival after he had been knocked down in the third round.
The missing ingredient for Pacquiao, who dismissed his corner from raising him aloft at the final bell in spite of retaining the World Boxing Organisation welterweight belt, remains the haunting figure of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Everyone knows it. But no money can buy it.
The flat atmosphere in the Las Vegas venue, where 16,412 spectators trudged to the exits after the event, showed the Filipino needs greater challenges.
Once Mosley had survived the final minute of the third round having been knocked sideways and down by a rapier right cross and left hook from the Filipino, he went into a survival mode.
Pacquiao hunted, Mosley shuffled backwards, or circled to his left to avoid the champion’s flashing, dangerous, mainly left-handed attacks. The fighting pride of the Philippines was just too much in every department. Mosley was left with only a puncher’s chance of victory, but could find neither the timing, nor the opportunity.
Pacquiao revealed afterwards he had had cramps in his left leg from the fourth round, limiting his ability to twist. With Mosley overly defensive, there were only fleeting moments of excitement.
“He ran and ran,” said Pacquiao, who earned $20 million for the contest. “He felt my power but did not want to stand with me. He wanted to get through 12 rounds. I thought he would fight toe to toe for at least five rounds, and then test our power and stamina. What am I going to do if my opponent does not want to go toe to toe? I’m disappointed for the fans.”
Pacquiao went down in the 10th. A push, rather than a punch, put him on the canvas. He shook his head, yet referee Kenny Bayless gave the champion a standing eight count. That angered Pacquiao and made him forget his leg cramps. He threw everything at Mosley in the final two rounds. Pacquiao has now won his past 14 fights, over six years.
Mosley, in dark glasses after the fight, his face marked and bruised, said: “He won the fight, he’s fast and unpredictable. He’s the pound-for-pound king for a reason. I fell short. Pacquiao throws different types of punches. His punches did not seem hard, but they were.”
Earlier on the televised event, the ringside bell was tolled 10 times for the passing of Sir Henry Cooper, who died eight days ago, at the age of 76.
Meanwhile, Alex Ariza, the American strength and conditioning coach sacked by Amir Khan after his world-title victory over Marcos Maidana in December, said yesterday that talks over his reinstatement had gone well over the weekend and “the decision lay in Amir’s court”.
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