by Sean Lewis: Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2) is set to face Shane Mosley (46-6-1) on May 7th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao is the betting favorite to win this affair despite the fact that he has never faced a fighter as dangerous as Shane Mosley in all of his storied career. Is it possible that this is Manny’s last fight? Has he decided to hang the gloves in favor of less fistic pursuits in the political arena?

Pacquiao stands at a crossroads in his boxing career. Unwilling to face Floyd Mayweather Jr., he finds himself beset on all sides by less desirable challengers, and it is this writer’s belief that the farce that Bob Arum has perpetrated on the boxing public has begun to take it’s toll on Pacquiao.

In all likelihood, Pacquiao would love to face Mayweather for the chance to prove himself in the eyes of boxing fans. Also, it is very probable that Manny has no real problem with any additional testing asked for by the Mayweather camp. Arum, puppetmaster that he is, however, will never allow Pacquiao anywhere near Mayweather as the outcome of that fight is a foregone conclusion in Money’s favor. Arum is shrewd. Why give up your cash cow when you have invested so much time and energy convincing the media that he is the real deal?

Why put him in the lion’s den with Mayweather and expose him for the limited slugger that he is. I’m not saying Manny is not a good fighter. It’s just that many a good fighter gets in the ring with Mayweather, and sees their stock drops significantly after the eventual whitewash on the scorecards. We know Pacquiao’s fans will defend him to the end for his refusal to take additional blood testing, but you have to think that even Pacquaio would find his position indefensible. He would love to take the test and get in the ring. He is a warrior that fights on the biggest stage. Make no mistake, he will lose, but it will be a fitting end to a great hall of fame career.

This is what I think Manny and Freddie both want. They have accomplished as a team all that could ever be asked of them. Beating Mayweather is not a viable option, and they know that Arum is aware of this. What they have done instead is convince Arum that Shane Mosley is a washed up fighter. Exactly the kind of fighter that Manny has, in the past, loved to get in the ring with.

Freddie Roach once told Shane Mosley that he was too good to fight Manny, and you can bet he still believes it. Roach knows that Manny needs a way out, an end to the circus his life has become, and he has provided one in convincing everyone that Manny will beat Shane. Shane Mosley will play his role wonderfully. He will beat Pacquiao convincingly, and the clamor for a Mayweather fight will dissipate as people call for Shane to give it another try. Pacquiao can then go back to the Phillipines, serve his people, and continue to be a hero to millions around the world.