By Dan Ambrose: 39-year-old Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KO’s) will be getting his biggest payday of his career against Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO’s) on May 7th. Picked because of his resume rather than what he’s done recently, Mosley is going to make a minimum of $5 million for the Pacquiao bout and possibly even more depending on how many fans are interested in purchasing this fight on pay-per-view. The bout comes at a perfect time for Mosley, because it will help his finances greatly and could be the perfect going away financial package for him.

Mosley has been fading for several years now, losing to Miguel Cotto in 2007, struggling badly against 35-year-old Ricard Mayorga before knocking him out with only one second remaining in 2008, beating Antonio Margarito but then getting trounced by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and then a 12 round draw with Sergio Mora. While you might think Mosley’s problems have to do more with who he’s facing rather than how he’s been fighting, it seems like more of a case of how he’s not fighting at the level he once did.

If not for this fight, Mosley would likely have to hang around longer and possibly end up getting battered by one of the champions like WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto or one of the top wetlerweight contenders. At least in being thrashed by Pacquiao, Mosley will get a nice payday to take a long with him should he decide to retire. It might be best if Pacquiao beats Mosley decisively enough to the point where Mosley doesn’t feel like he has anything left. That way he’ll not waste time continuing his career and taking losses.