By Vivek Wallace – As long as many of us can remember, the month of March has been synonymous with college basketball. For the first time in a long time, the world of sports will offer a variable to the popular “March Madness”, starting with a ‘Final Four’ that none of us had any idea we’d ever actually see. All around the world fight fans were far less than happy, some even pledging to ditch the sport altogether, as a result of the broken negotiations between P4P contenders Floyd Mayweather jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The old adage states that “you must go through the rain to reach the rainbow”. There was never a more reciprocal element displayed of this statement than the one that recently played out in the world of boxing. After all the hype, drama, and eccentrics to follow, the final product of those flat-lined negotiations is a stellar showdown in Dallas Cowboys Stadium between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Ghana native Joshua Clottey, followed by a showdown between American Floyd Mayweather jr. and a man who needs little introduction…….American ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley. A closer analysis shows us that college hoops isn’t the only sport to play a role in this first half of the 2010 calendar year in boxing, as despite the late arrival, an April showdown between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. clearly tips a hat to two men once referred to as the ‘Masters’. Granted, most would rather pass on this late-to-bloom showdown, but sticking to the ‘Masters’ wordplay, perhaps the true link here (as it relates to this welterweight eliminator), is one intricate piece which remains missing from the mega fight landscape – a man who resides in the city which gave birth to the tournament itself, Paul Williams of Augusta, GA..
At any rate, once the #1 seed (Pacquiao) squares off against the #4 seed (Clottey) and when the smoke clears, the beginning of May brings an end to the first round as our #2 seed (Mayweather) squares off against the #3 seed (Mosley). Several questions loom relative to whether or not we’ll be able to actually see a round two – particularly if Mayweather and Pacquiao advance – but even more questions loom relative to whether or not those two men will in fact advance, to begin with. In Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather jr. will face not only a bona fide Hall-of-Famer, but easily and arguably the most complete fighter he has EVER faced. Many take their dislike of Mayweather and use it to discredit those on his resume, but the likes of a young and then undefeated Corrales (RIP) can’t be denied; neither can victories over an undefeated Hatton, Genaro Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Judah, and others. That being said, none of those men represent what Mosley does. Neither in talent, or in the sport.
Aside from the substance abuse stories that linked him in a very unfortunate case, Mosley has embodied everything this sport is built on. A full arsenal of talent, ranging from speed and power, to a granite chin and a warrior spirit that has yet to abandon him when he needed it the most. All of those tools, coupled with a never-ceasing will to be the best and a trainer whose intelligence exceeds any of our expectations time and time again can lead to a long night for any opponent. As great as he is, that list could include Floyd Mayweather jr., as well. But that’s what makes this bout one for the ages. As dynamic as we’ve seen Mosley, it’s virtually impossible not to identify the fact that Mayweather remains that perennial force with a sheer ability to evoke every raw emotion of a fan ever known to man. Love….respect…..hate….neglect…..contempt beyond measure, but room for questions never; as in the end, the one thing you do expect from him, whether you love him or hate him, is near flawless execution. This challenge from Mosley will be a rare glimpse into a side of Mayweather that many have wanted to see, yet never really have. With such a strong command of the ‘sweet science’, few have been able to get Mayweather off of his blueprint. With little room for era and Father-time him to face the proverbial ‘westside’ of his career, Mosley knows he will have to be the one to turn that still photo into a motion picture if he wants us to see his deepest vision. Right now, it’s just a script, but on the night of May 1st, one of these men will have to assume the bigger role. One loves the spotlight, the other is known to perform under pressure, but only one can win! As they say in Hollywood…..Lights, Camera, Action…..(now) TAKE ONE!
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, YouTube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).