Why did Mosley want to quit against Pacquiao?

By Boxing News - 06/09/2011 - Comments

Image: Why did Mosley want to quit against Pacquiao?By John F. McKenna (McJack): When Shane Mosley (46-7-1-1, 39 KO’s) fought Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) on May 7 everyone knew that his skills were diminished and that his career was on the downward slope. Everyone expected him however, to make a go of it and attempt to win the fight.

After Mosley was knocked down in the 3rd run the fight seemed to go out of him. He had the look of utter surprise and yes, a look of fear came over his face. He could hot believe that, despite all that had been written by boxing writers and the accounts of what other fighters said about Pacquiao, that he was that fast and hit that hard. He fell into the trap almost all of the “Pacman’s” larger opponents have. How does a guy of that size generate so much speed and power?

The story that has been circulating in the media is that Shane Mosley had a blister on his foot that made it difficult for him to move, block Pacquiao’s punches and counter with his own shots. Somehow the blister story does not ring true. One must remember that “Sugar” Shane Mosley defeated Oscar De La hoya twice and has KO victories over Fernando Vargas, Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito.

Having a blister, while painful, is not a good reason for a warrior such as Shane Mosley to want to throw up the white flag of surrender. Fighters have fought with broken hands and with little or no vision. Rocky Marciano had a severe gash in the middle of his nose that was gushing blood in his 1954 defense of his title against Ezzard Charles. When the referee wanted to stop the fight, Rocky pleaded for “Just on more round!” That was all the Rock needed to KO Charles and retain his title. “Smokin’” Joe Frazier could not see as he sat on his stool after the 14th round in the “Thrilla in Manila” against Muhammad Ali. Joe wanted desperately to go out for the 15th round. Frazier’s trainer Eddie Futch wisely intervened and stopped the fight consoling Joe by telling him “No one will ever forget what you did here tonight son.”

It is more than a little mystifying that a ring legend such as Shane Mosley would want to throw away the legacy of a great career by quitting on his stole between rounds. To his credit Mosley’s trainer Nazim Richrdson would not let Shane throw away everything he had worked for. Nazin told him “Your cut from a different cloth Shane!”

What was it that made this once proud warrior want to quit, and go out with a wimper?

It was fear. Shane did not want to quit on his own. He wanted Richardson to pull the plug so it would not seem as though it was him quitting while sitting on his stool. Richardson did not buy it. He made Shane finish the fight with his honor intact

That is the effect that Manny Pacquiao has on his opponents. Mosley saw what Manny did to Hatton, Clottey, De La hoya, Margarito and so many others. He did not want to go out that way, but he did not want it to be his fault that the fight was stopped.



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