Mosley, not Mayweather, looms as Pacquiao's next foe

Suddenly, its Sugar Shane Mosley and not Floyd Mayweather Jr. who may become Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent. The name of the former three-time world champion cropped up as the prime prospect for a mega-fight with the Filipino boxing icon. With Mosley no longer under the care of Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), it makes such a match more likely. There has been animosity between GBP owner Oscar Dela Hoya and Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who owns the promotional rights on Pacquiao. Following Pacquiao’s complete domination of Mexican Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-welterweight title last Sunday, Arum said Mosley is among the short-listed boxers being considered by the eight-time world champion as his next foe for his ring return in 2011. “If Mayweather hasn’t indicated his availability by then, Shane Mosley is a real possibility," said the 78-year-old Arum, who is likely to discuss such plans when he visits the country next month to attend Pacquiao’s birthday celebration on December 17. “There’s no one in first place right now after Floyd." A Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr. fight, which many expect to be the richest in the history of prize fighting ever, had twice been shelved following major disagreements, on the manner of drug testing, for one. Although Arum remains optimistic of putting together the long-awaited bout, nothing has been heard so far from the camp of the one-time U.S. Olympian who remains unbeaten. Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said Mayweather Jr. remains the No. 1 fighter in their radar, but stressed they wouldn’t be the one to come forward and offer him the fight. “We’ll see if Mayweather comes to us. We’re not going to chase him," said Koncz. “He comes to us, and then we’ll negotiate. Koncz added that right now they are considering to negotiate with Mosley’s camp. “Mosley is an opportunity, too. He’s now left Golden Boy and he's on his own. So we can do Mosley without the interference of Golden Boy." Arum confirmed that Mosley has already severed ties with Golden Boy Promotions, although he still has shares with the boxing promotional group established by Dela Hoya and former banker Richard Schaefer. Arum and Mosley talked before the Pacquiao-Margarito bout. “Mosley told me it’s up to him who he fights now. It’s his decision." Although already past his prime, Mosley remains a popular fighter in the U.S. This was proven when his non-title fight last May against Mayweather Jr. generated 1.4 million pay-per-view buys. That figure is expected to be equaled, if not surpassed, by the Pacquiao-Margarito fight. After losing a 12-round unanimous decision to Mayweather, Mosley had to settle for a split draw with Sergio Mora in their September 18 duel at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV