"We're trying to make the fight, but I guess Bob Arum is trying to make the fight with Cotto for his own reasons. That's where we're at right now. We're trying to see if Pacquiao is going to accept that or not. I think that a fight with me would bring a lot more money and a lot more prestige worldwide. We'll see what happensÂ…the bigger fight is me and Pacquiao. We have the biggest names by far and Pacquiao's legacy wouldn't be damaged losing to me," stated welterweight champion Shane Mosley as he continued to plead his case for a showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Check out what else he had to say about Pacquiao, Cotto, Arum, Mayweather and much more.
PC: Last time we spoke, it appeared you were close to landing a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Since then, it seems as if Top Rank is looking in another direction. What's happened?
SM: We're trying to make the fight, but I guess Bob Arum is trying to make the fight with Cotto for his own reasons. That's where we're at right now. We're trying to see if Pacquiao is going to accept that or not. I think that a fight with me would bring a lot more money and a lot more prestige worldwide. We'll see what happens.
PC: Pacquiao is the number one guy right now and everyone is gunning for that title. Did you think Cotto's performance warranted him a shot at the pound-for-pound crown?
SM: His performance definitely didn't warrant him the opportunity. He's coming off a loss to Margarito and then gets a win against Clottey to where he didn't look up to par. I think he needs to clear up some things with Margarito and Clottey first.
PC: When De La Hoya was a Top Rank fighter, you defeated him twice. You knocked out Antonio Margarito earlier this year and you never received the Cotto rematch. Do you think Arum is keeping his fighters away from you?
SM: Exactly! Cotto didn't want to do a rematch as well. I don't know; it's crazy. I actually give props to Margarito for even taking the fight because a lot of the times, fighters use their promoters as a way out. They could easily say, "Well, the promoter said this and that and then they don't have to fight you." Margarito chose to fight and I give him a lot of credit. As far as Pacquiao, he's willing to accept the fight and take the challenge. Freddie Roach is willing to take the fight. The only person that's stopping the fight is Bob Arum. Bob Arum has his own investments into the fight as far as him wanting to re-sign Cotto and get him a big fight. Then he has Pacquiao. He will give Cotto a little money to keep him happy because he really doesn't deserve any of it. And then he will throw Pacquiao something out there, but the bigger fight is me and Pacquiao. We have the biggest names by far and Pacquiao's legacy wouldn't be damaged losing to me. I don't understandÂ…well, I do understand what Bob Arum wants to do, but I wouldn't understand why Pacquiao wouldn't take the fight. I don't understand it.
PC: You're coming off, I wouldn't say the biggest win of your career because I feel the first De La Hoya fight was that, but probably your best performance inside the ring. Pacquiao is a hot fighter as well as you. It only seems right to have you guys square off.
SM: Yeah, you're exactly right! It's only right for us to mix it up. Mayweather chose to fight the lightweight champion, Marquez, as a tune-up if you will. I wouldn't call Marquez a tune-up, but that's what Mayweather is thinking. So while he's doing that, me and Manny Pacquiao could be deciding who is the best pound-for-pound fighter. For Cotto to have the opportunity to hold the pound-for-pound title if he gets so lucky to beat PacquiaoÂ…you just can't do it. You should have the pound-for-pound guys fighting each other.
PC: So you feel you should fight Pacquiao and Floyd fight Marquez and then the winners face each other?
SM: Yeah, that is the perfect scenario. That's the way it is supposed to happen in real boxing.
PC: Are you kind of getting frustrated with the politics of the sport Shane?
SM: It gets a little frustrating. It's frustrating when people start believing lies, like they believe Bob Arum when he says, "Ah, I'm already working on a fight between Clottey and Mosley at the Civic Center after I finish the deal between Cotto and Pacquiao!" People believe that I'm actually going to fight Clottey? No! They actually believe I'm going to fight Clottey, Berto or Paul Williams? I'm not going to fight none of those guys. I did my share of fighting the Vernon Forrests and the Winky Wrights of my era. I've put in my time and work and I'm not doing it anymore.
PC: It seems like neither the Mayweather fight nor the Pacquiao fights will happen anytime soon. Where do you go from here if any of those fights can't be secured?
SM: Well, either I'll wait or I'll retire until somebody is ready to fight. I won't retire. I'm just going to hold on to my belt until they come out of hiding and want to make a fight. I'll just keep training and be ready.
PC: You stay in pretty good shape. What have you been doing on that end and how is your weight? How soon could you be ready to go?
SM: I wouldn't say I'm really into the gym, but I love to be in the gym. I love to go in there and spar with the kids. I'm around a lot. My son is still boxing so I kind of go to the gym with him and stay in that atmosphere. I think that I would be around the gym in some kind of way. I would be ready as soon as they say it's a go, you know what I'm saying? Some guys go up to 190 and 200 pounds and then drop back down to 47 or 54. I could never get that big anyway. I'm probably about 165 or 166, but I could easily drop off the weight.
PC: What else has been up with Shane Mosley? How is your son doing with his career?
SM: It's going pretty good. I've been working with him on some defensive moves. We're trying to take it to another level now.
PC: We've seen Michael Jordan's son and he's an average basketball player. Walter Payton's son was just an average football player. When talking to your son, do you sense that he feels the pressure of being Shane Mosley's son?
SM: Well, my son is kind of like me. He doesn't let the pressure bother him like that. He's going to do what he needs to do. The crowds screaming or booing only motivates me and he's the same way. There are a few minor little things that he needs to work on, but he's going to be bigger than me and fighting in a bigger weight class and could probably be better at his weight class than I was if he chooses to do that. He has the ability to fight.
PC: You're one of my favorites because you still come to fight. I hope you land something soon my man. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
SM: I just want to tell Pacquiao to do the right thing for boxing. I think you guys should put a poll up and let the Philippine fans vote which one they think would be a bigger fight and who they want to see Pacquiao fight next, Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto! Let's see who the Philippine fans want Pacquiao to fight next.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Shane Mosley is currently leading the poll with 51.9% of the votes.]
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]