Shane Mosley faced several of boxing’s most elite pound-for-pound stars throughout his 60-fight career, but one of them, he admits, was near enough the full package.
Among the Hall of Famer’s most notable opponents are Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya, though he also fought the likes of Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez.
Win or lose, Mosley was almost always involved in an enthralling dust-up, yet those fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao, in particular, presented him with a series of almighty challenges.
After becoming a three-weight world champion, ‘Sugar’ secured a ninth-round stoppage victory over Antonio Margarito – one of his career-best wins – before facing Mayweather in 2010.
Their welterweight encounter delivered an absorbing spectacle, with Mosley even being credited for almost scoring a knockdown in the second round.
Mayweather, however, was able to swiftly recover from the ferocious barrage, and eventually claimed a convincing points victory over his pound-for-pound rival.
Once again, Mosley was introduced to a formidable night’s work against Pacquiao, the then-WBO world welterweight champion, in 2011, before ultimately losing another unanimous decision.
Prior to their showdown, ‘Pac Man’, who was considered one of the most explosive punchers at the time, had just outpointed Margarito at 154lbs.
And yet, despite the Filipino’s speed, aggression and intensity, Mosley nonetheless regards Mayweather as the best overall fighter he ever shared a ring with.
In an interview with Ring Magazine, Mosley hails Mayweather’s speed and footwork, insisting that no other opponent possessed quite so much athleticism and variety to his work.
“Best overall would have to be Floyd. He had everything. He had about three different categories where he was the best.
“The most speed, best defence and a good jab and good offence. I think that it’s also what he [did] with his movement and his angles.”
