Here are a few reasons why the risk might be worth the reward.
Remember when the vociferous Floyd Mayweather Sr. coined the phrase, “Jack don’t know jack” in mocking reference to Mosley’s father and former trainer Jack Mosley. You haven’t heard senior ridicule Nazim Richardson though he’s had more than ample airtime to do so. When Mosley struggled in past bouts he had no ability to change tactics during a fight. That won’t happen on May 1st. Richardson is an expert tactician who knows his fighter and the tendencies of his opponent. Richardson devised a lethal game plan for Mosley when he thoroughly demoralized Antonio Margarito to win the belt. He’ll do so once more against Mayweather, and when it is time to adjust, Mosley will have advice from his corner to rely upon.
Mayweather is a cautious starter who gives away rounds before seizing control of his fights. Mayweather fell behind Zab Judah early in their welterweight fight before turning the tide and taking Judah’s heart. Oscar De La Hoya was up on Mayweather mid way through their bout before fading badly over the second half of the contest. Even Ricky Hatton started strong against Mayweather and gave the Brits false hope when the two tussled in 2007. Mosley has none of those problems. He has the heart of a champion; has never tired in the championship rounds; and is a complete fighter. If Mayweather starts slowly, Mosley may build an insurmountable lead. With a rounds cushion and the ability to make adjustments late in the fight Mosley will be hard to beat.
Mosley has been knocked to the canvas just twice in a 52 fight professional career that has carried him from lightweight to junior middleweight with stops in between. He’s been in with ferocious punchers and bigger men and finished every fight on his feet. Only a clash of heads and the sharp right hand of the late Vernon Forrest combined to put Mosley on the seat of his pants twice in round two of their January, 2002 bout. Mosley has traded leather with and stood up to Fernando Vargas, Miguel Cotto, Ricardo Mayorga and Margarito – all of who are bigger punchers than Mayweather. Mayweather is an accurate puncher but doesn’t possess heavy hands. Mosley will be able to take a few chances knowing Mayweather can’t hurt him with a single punch.
Mayweather is hard to hit. He sees punches coming from miles out and has the reflexes to make most miss. Rarely is Mayweather caught flush and when it happens he’s so relaxed he’s able to roll with the punch. Marquez, an expert counter puncher, fired blanks all evening in Mayweather’s 2009 return to the ring. But Marquez had no business in the ring with Mayweather; Mosley does. Mosley isn’t as fast as Mayweather despite his claim for equality but does possess enough hand speed to land when Marquez missed. Mosley also has the foot movement to put himself in position to deliver. Once in close Mosley will rip hooks to the body in an effort to slow Mayweather. Mosley is going to get beat to the punch because he loads up with both hands. But, if he can walk through Mayweather’s punches Mosley has the power to hurt him. Jose Luis Castillo punished Mayweather in their first fight and Mosley is bigger, stronger and faster than Castillo (and bigger and stronger than Mayweather).
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