Shane Mosley: With age comes wisdom
(In conjunction with HBO Sports, Yahoo! Sports will be featuring special Q&A entries from Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Shane Mosley. This is part 1 of 2 from "Sugar" Shane Mosley, who faces Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on May 5.)
What is your response to those who say your speed and power have diminished from your years at the top of the pound-for-pound list? Have you talked to or analyzed other fighters who have had success into their 40s?
At 45, George Foreman won back the heavyweight title that he had lost roughly 20 years prior. Everyone thought [Michael] Moorer was going to take it, but he didn't. Foreman did. What about when Larry Holmes beat Ray Mercer at 42?
The idea that a fighter suddenly loses skills they've had for years isn't the case at all. My experience and skill and knowledge of who I am as a fighter are things that no one can take away from me. I have fought some of the best boxers in the world including defeating Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito among others. I know I am the same fighter I am today that I was in each and every single
one of those matches; my speed and power are still there and stronger than ever.
In fact, I would argue that at my age, I am more ready to fight knowing what it takes to win. You don't just suddenly lose ability when you turn 40. I hate to use a cliché, but with age does come wisdom, and wisdom is more important in boxing then you can imagine. People forget about the mental part of the fights, that's critical. In training, it becomes less about analyzing other boxers and more about studying myself, knowing myself, what I am capable of and what makes me a better fighter. Speed and power doesn't diminish, but instead evolves and matures and that's what will be displayed. Viewers can look forward to seeing that on May 5th.
At almost literally twice his age, you have a huge experience edge on Canelo. Having seen his approach in other fights, how will you exploit that advantage in your bout?
With experience comes wisdom, and more importantly patience. I have fought a lot of skilled boxers in my career and I know what it takes to win. Speed and accuracy are just two aspects of what makes me the fighter that I am. I know how to use overhand rights and how to effectively land a body shot. I know how to wear down my opponent. I know all these things because I've had a long and successful career and I have done all these things.
Many young fighters know how to be aggressive, but the skill stops there. It takes time to understand that aggression doesn't win fights, which is why a lot of young fighters struggle. I'm very much looking forward to getting to fight again and showing what an experienced boxer is capable of. When you fight, no matter the circumstances, you're always looking for an opportunity to overcome your opponent. It's not so easy to do that when you're a little green to the ring.
Trust me, I can say unequivocally that I have the knowhow to take on any opponent, regardless of age, and show my skill as a champion. I wouldn't be in the fight if I didn't think I would win. It's really no longer a though as much as 'when' I win. I don't mean to sound boastful, it's just confidence. I know who I am as a fighter and that's it. It's going a great fight and I am looking forward to the reaction.
"Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto," and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. "Sugar" Shane Mosley will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Episodes two and three of HBO's all-access reality series 24/7 MAYWEATHER/COTTO debut on Saturdays – April 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT) and 28 (9:45-10:15 p.m. ET/PT) – while the finale debuts Friday, May 4 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT), the night before the high-stakes super welterweight title bout. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO®.
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