Cutting Edge – The World’s most expensive dance act

by Edcer Escudero

THE SPIRIT is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This aptly describes Sugar Shane Mosley’s failed challenge against Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight title bout last May 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was also probably Mosley’s “last hurrah” as a prize fighter for more than 30 years.
In that lopsided loss, Mosley was but a shadow of his former devastating self when he ruled the welterweight division for almost a decade.
Today, he is well past his prime, an over-the-hill pugilist who has seen better days. The hands peed and power punches are no longer there to demolish the opposition. He has won four world titles in three weight classes, including two exciting title matches with Oscar dela Hoya when they were both at the peak of their careers.
But, like Oscar dela Hoya, and in the words of Freddie Roach, “He can’t pull the trigger anymore.” Last May 7, Mosley climbed the ring against Pacquiao not to win, but just to survive, according to Roach.
Mosley’s ring exploits have assured him of an enviable place in boxing’s Hall of Fame. He doesn’t have to fight to earn such honor. He fought against the best of his era, and he certainly has made his mark as a champion.
But that fight with Manny Pacquiao somehow rubbed off the luster in his career. That Pacquiao-Mosley match-up, which Top Rank boss Arum predicted to be an exciting war of warriors was more like a dance sport contest. It can be safely said that it was a “walk in the park” for Manny, and a waltz dance routine for Mosley. Sugar Shane held on to Manny for dear life every time Manny unloaded a flurry of punches from the fourth round to the 11th round.
Days before the fight night, Mosley boasted that he would “shock the world” by knocking out the Pacman. Well, he ended up bringing shame to himself with his back-pedalling dance number punctuated by tight clinches. Indeed, the world was shocked by Mosley’s embracing antics.
Fight fans all over the world, especially Filipinos, expected a war between two tested and explosive warriors—an African-American and an Asian. Instead, they saw a cha-cha dance exhibition by two fierce-looking, fire-breathing macho men exchanging piercing glances in the night.
For their efforts, Manny got 20 milion dollars, while Shane got five million. That must be the most expensive dance performance in the world!
WHO’S NEXT?
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions, Inc. hinted at a November 12 fight for Manny against probably, Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican big-mouth whom Manny sent to the canvas four times in their last two encounters.
Marquez, to this day, insists that he won both fights. Come November 12, when the third Pacquiao-Marquez match-up pushes through, Marquez will go down again, this time, for the full count of 10.
Marquez is presently the 135-pound king. Fighting at 147 against Manny, Marquez would be an easy prey. Trainer Freddie Roach has said that if Marquez goes up in weight, he will be an easy pick for Manny.
As usual, I see the odds tilting in favor of the Pacman. How about you? (Who, us? We stopped listening to Bob Arum’s empty spiels long ago!—The Editors)

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