The Who Are You Picking? Campaign is in full swing. You will see in the coming days the major websites here in the United States up with banners on their sites where people can vote. CNN, USA Today, ESPN, Spike, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Univision, Yahoo! and The New York Times will all have polls, most of them on their front pages, where people will be able to vote. Some of those sites actually are up already and I just wanted to give you a very quick update.
For those of you who were on the call last week, remember on the whoareyoupicking.com site, which is the Micro site for the fight, last week we had Floyd Mayweather ahead, with 47% of the people voting for him to win the fight and 43% for Sugar Shane Mosley. Well, it’s interesting, that tightened considerably. Mayweather now is only leading 51% to 49% against Shane Mosley.
Interesting as well, on the ESPN site, which just went up yesterday with the poll, it’s reversed; 51.4% are picking Shane Mosley to win the fight against 48.6% with Mayweather. I think the general sports fans are clearly favoring Shane Mosley.
On Spike, a very urban site, an interesting picture there as well. Sixty-seven percent of the people think that Floyd Mayweather is going to win the fight versus 33% for Mosley. So, we actually are going to give daily updates on those polls so you guys, media members, you don’t have to go and log on all of these sites, but we will send out daily updates because I think it’s really fascinating to see on how the various segments of the population here in the United States are picking their guys, so we’re really excited about that.
The fight is virtually sold out. A few tickets left, only $600 and $1,250 tickets are left. The $1,000 are sold out and all other categories as well. As a result, we are now going into closed circuit. We are starting with the closed circuit seats tomorrow at $50. We will initially make about 25,000 seats available in the various MGM Mirage properties. So if you do plan to go to Vegas and spend the Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas, a great fight weekend here, then go, tickets are available for $50.
Other than that, the movie theaters are tracking tremendously well as well and getting a lot of calls from people who have actually seen the spots and the promotions in the movie theaters. They think that they will have a tremendous, tremendous turnout. On about 12,000 screens across the United States the fight is being promoted and it will be in about 600 screens where the fight will actually be shown. They’re going to be movie theaters in all states.
That’s that and now I’d like to acknowledge and see if he would like to say a few words, Shane Mosley’s advisor and attorney as well, Judd Burstein. Judd, would you like to say a few comments?
Judd Burstein
I have nothing to say. Shane can say it all.
Schaefer
Great. It is a pleasure then for me to introduce to you truly one of the greatest fighters of our generation. With a record of 46 and 5, 39 KO’s, he’s the current WBA Welterweight Champion and has during his 16 year career, compiled six world titles, has ruled the Lightweight, Welterweight and Junior Middleweight division, and is really a man who knows how to perform in the big events. He lives for those big events. Many of those big events, many of those big victories were coming from the MGM Grand, which some people call Mosley’s Greatest Moments, MGM. And it really is a pleasure and an honor for me to introduce to you my good friend and partner in Golden Boy, Sugar Shane Mosley.
Sugar Shane Mosley
Thank you. Thank you, Richard. I just want to say that I’m happy that the fight is taking place and I’m happy with the training camp that we’ve been doing with Naazim Jameson and all the sparring partners, Karl Dargan, Rock, Mike Sharp and Eloy Perez and a few others. I’m just happy and excited to show my stuff May 1. It’s going to be very exciting. I’m in great shape. I’m in tremendous shape and I’m ready to take on Mayweather.
Schaefer
Thank you, Shane. We are going to open it up now for the media members for any questions. Operator, please?
Q:
You mentioned that Karl Dargan and Rock, that you’re sparring with them. They’ve been a little bit inactive lately, but I was just curious of your impressions of them as they’re both Naazimm’s relatives obviously, son and nephew.
Mosley
This camp has been like a family and I’m happy to have all of them contributing. They have great backgrounds, and Naazim Richardson trains them. Karl Dargan is very fast, a little taller than Mayweather, but has very fast hands. I think that a lot of it is the reaction time that I’m dealing with when I work with Karl Dargan to emulate Mayweather. We try to figure out different ways and different strategies of attacking.
Q:
One other question is, is all the stuff that’s popping up now that Victor Conte is sending out, is that any kind of a distraction to you?
Mosley
haven’t really heard anything about it and I don’t choose to even talk about it. That’s been 2003 when that type of stuff happened, so.
Q:
Shane, what would a victory over Floyd Mayweather, Jr. do for your legacy?
Mosley
I think a victory would do very good. It gives the people a chance to see that Sugar Shane really means business when he gets in that ring and fights. I rise to the occasion at every big fight. It’s going to be great.
Q:
One other thing. On the second 24/7, and I don’t know if you watched it or not because you said you didn’t watch the first one, Floyd is saying he thinks he is better than Ali, better than Sugar Ray Robinson. Do you think he is perhaps overstating that a little bit?
Mosley
I think that you can’t say who was the best fighter. I think Sugar Robinson was the greatest. Everybody has their own opinions about different fighters and what they can do and their ability. I think that it’s important that it’s not for you; it’s not for myself to tell everybody that I’m the greatest, it’s for your guys to decide that. So when the people start deciding that Sugar Robinson is the greatest or Muhammad Ali is the greatest, it’s the people that have spoken. You’re not just tooting your own horn and saying, oh I’m the greatest. A lot of the people believe that Sugar Robinson was one of the greatest so I guess he’s one of the greatest, him and Ali.
Q:
Judd, obviously we’ve all, and I’m sure you’ve seen the YouTube stuff, I just want to ask you just a basic question, if I may. I know I can hear you in the background objecting to the form of the question. I believe that was you. It did seem like the person asking the questions had some difficulty forming his questions. Do you think that that defamation video made Shane look bad or do you think it made the questioner look bad because he didn’t know how to form his questions?
Burstein
Well, first of all, I’m going to answer it quickly, but the real answer is there’s no point in talking about this. This was 2003. Shane will be victorious in court and that will answer all the questions. The whole thing about the Conte video was not more a) it was he couldn’t ask questions; but b) that Conte edited it and took it out of context. But there’s nothing more to say about this.
Q:
Do you feel at all like you’re disrespected by fans and the media or do you feel like people put you on an even footing with Floyd?
Mosley
I don’t know. I mean I really don’t get that stuff anymore. I haven’t really been looking into the media and seeing what they’ve been saying. I don’t know really what’s going on. I try to keep myself away from it so I can be focused on the fight and that’s my main importance right now is just being focused on the fight and being the best I can be when I get to the ring.
Q:
Do you feel Floyd is with all the trash talking that he’s doing is trying to goad you into distraction before the fight and maybe anger? Does that stuff anger you or do you not even pay attention to it?
Mosley
At this point, I’m not angered by it. I’m just trying to go to the fight and be the best I can be in the fight. Right now at this point, we’re getting ready to fight now.
Q:
Floyd, Sr. has said that he had heard you’ve been getting beat up by your sparring partner. How do you respond to something like that?
Mosley
I don’t know how he can hear that unless he has some kind of spy inside the gym which I don’t know of. No, I’ve been working good. I’m working diligently and I’m working real good and the sparring partners have been giving me good work. It’s great.
Q:
One last question. Do you feel 100% healthy and ready to go for this fight?
Mosley
I’m 100% healthy. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to fight and show the world I’m the best fighter.
Q:
Obviously they’re saying you don’t want to talk about any of this with Conte which is fine, but drug testing is a huge part of this fight. That’s one of the reasons you guys made it such a big deal when you all agreed to Olympic drug testing for it. Two thousand three is a long time ago, but can you say since then how you have felt differently in fights? Can you tell a difference from that night to how you fight now or recent fights from when you didn’t take that stuff? I mean what did it do to you as a fighter to come off it and then try to get back to just 100% of yourself and how you feel now when your in the ring compared to then.
Mosley
That’s just a stupid question that you asked me because I never did that stuff. I never was on it really like that. I’ve always been a clean fighter. Actually, I feel good and I’ve been feeling good. I’ve been knocking around everybody since 2003 and before 2003. I don’t feel that I should be condemned for something that I never tested positive for and I just told the truth of what happened, because the truth was brought to me by the Federal people that took me court that brought me in as a witness. They brought me in as a witness and the truth was revealed to me there, that this man that I’d seen one time in my whole entire life, before going to deposition and that’s the second time I’ve seen him. It’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous now that the media wants to make me the poster boy of steroids when I don’t even …. Whatever, if you guys want to continue to think that or put that out there, so be it. So be it. You guys know the truth.
Q:
How are you doing guys? I appreciate your taking the time. This is for Shane. I’m doing a story to tell the people of Philadelphia a little bit more about your trainer and brother, Naazim. I just wanted to get a sense. Someone’s who’s been in this sport for so long, what can a guy like him come in and what has he been able to do for you either in the gym or in the corner and what’s it like working with him? What’s his personality like? Is he a hard ass? Does he make you laugh? Just kind of an insight to his personality as a trainer.
Mosley
Naazim is all of the above. He’s hard on me and makes sure that I’m prepared physically, mentally and especially, all different ways to be prepared to enter the fight. I think that’s the difference, is being prepared. He’s 100% in the game. I’m fighting and he’s fighting as well. He’s not fighting with his fist and hands, but he’s fighting with his mind which is a good thing. I’m happy and pleased with everything that’s going on in my camp.
Q:
Anything specifically different or are you doing anything differently?
Mosley
I’m not sure I’m doing anything differently. I think that he brings me back to all the movement and keep myself sharp and mentally sharp and sound. The punches that he’s having me do, I’m throwing very well and sharp. I’m ready to go.
Q:
What’s he like to work with?
Mosley
He’s a great trainer. I think he’s one of the best if not the best trainer right now today in this era. I couldn’t ask for a better person, a better friend and a better trainer in my camp right now.
Q:
I wanted you to recount that little incident. I think you talked about it when you guys were sitting down on that faceoff about the time Floyd came to you and said something like, “I want to be just like you one day,” something like that.
Mosley
Yes, it was something at, I think he was just out of the Olympics and he was maybe 2-0, 3-0, something like that. I came to his dressing room and I was telling him that he’s a great fighter. He looks good and he was going to be a world champion one day. I said you’re going to be World Champion one day. You look real good. And he’s was like “Oh man, thank you.” Basically he was just saying, “You’re doing good, too.” I think I was the Champion then or I was getting ready to be the Champion. He said, “Hopefully if I can be just like you, it will be great if I can win a title and all that stuff.” So we were both giving each other props and stuff about how good we were. That was it. He just wanted to have the accomplishments that I had accomplished in my professional career. He said if I can have those accomplishments then I’d be happy too, if I can be like you and have all the accomplishments that I have. I don’t know if was like being exactly like me per se, but just the accomplishments and everything I’ve done in my boxing career at that time, he was impressed with and he let me know that then.
Q:
How much do you think that his intimidation tactics are part of his getting to another opponent and how much do you think you have frustrated him by not reacting to any of that?
Mosley
I’m not really sure. I know me not reacting to his antics or whatever, that’s just me blocking all that stuff out and wanting to fight. I don’t really care about the different things that are being said. That doesn’t really matter. What matters is the fight and what happens in the fight. So that’s my whole interest and I kind of block all that other stuff out.
Q:
And one last question. You had a series of fights at 154. How do you think having fought heavier opponents, bigger opponents, how do you think that will translate into a fight where you’re fighting a guy that’s mostly a speed and defensive guy?
Mosley
Well, I think it might be a little different. I know it helps with the power aspect. I should be able to walk him down, a little stronger or better and do different things. I feel good about being in a ring with bigger guys. Both bigger and smaller; I’ve been in the ring with both sizes.
Q:
Okay. And what’s up with the tattoo on your shoulder?
Mosley
I’ve had it for about eight or nine months now. I was going to have it before the Berto fight. It’s a warrior, you know. It’s a Maori warrior tattoo that shows what type of fighter I am. When I get in the ring, I’m a warrior and I want the people to see that.
Q:
Shane, obviously this has a chance to be the biggest fight of the year in 2010 and a lots being made of it. There’s a lot of coverage. Is it the biggest fight at this stage can you say that you’ve ever been involved in and if not, what was?
Mosley
Well, I think at this point it will be the biggest fight. You have a lot of viewers watching it. It’s a fight that the world wanted to see. So it’s a big fight. It’s a very big fight and I’m excited to have this fight.
Q:
It’s bigger than fighting Oscar the first time?
Mosley
The first time I fought Oscar it had its own significance and it took me where I am today right now to be able to fight this type of mega fight. But it is definitely a big fight. Fighting De la Hoya the first time was a real big fight. There was a lot of people there at the fight and there was a lot of big expectations, but this is probably I can say right now, one of the biggest fights.
Q:
And to follow up real quickly on a question from earlier about Mayweather’s intimidation tactics. Obviously, you’ve had your fair share of things to say about your going to knock Mayweather out and some of his rhetoric and his talk really ramps up when it gets to fight week and he gets to see you face to face. How do you deal with that? Do you address it? Do you let it drop? Do you pick your spots? What do you do?
Mosley
Well, I guess it depends. As it comes, you pick your spots and maybe check them a little bit here and there and get him back to thinking. But at this point, it’s time to fight now. At this point, we’ve done a little talking and this and that, but now it’s fight time now and now we’re getting ready to show what we can do.
Q:
As you’ve been on the outside watching that over the years, do you think it has worked against certain guys?
Mosley
I think so. I think a lot of the press and media and just the whole event of all that can kind of distract a fighter but at this time, I just try to be; like I said, I just try to just think about focusing on the fight. Now it’s getting close to the fight and we need to worry about the fight instead of worrying about what people are saying about us.
Q:
Shane, just a couple things. First of all, I want to clarify are you defending your WBA title in this fight? Is that up for grabs?
Mosley
I don’t think so.
Schaefer
No, actually I can answer that for you. It looks like the fight will not be for Shane’s WBA title, however Shane will be; I mean Floyd is not fighting for the WBA title, but Shane is.
Q:
Okay, that’s kind of what I thought. I wonder Shane, I know this is a business, but the guys that get in the ring and do the fighting like to have belt fight to win titles and certainly in the instance of you against Floyd, arguably the two best welterweights in the world fighting for a lot of money, but pride as well as for maybe the championship of the world and you seem willing to do and I’ve heard a lot of comments from Floyd where he talks about well, the belts just collect dust and this and that. What is your take on that sort of attitude where I know you’re a guy that likes to fight the best guys and obviously wants to earn a lot of money doing it, but also I know takes certain pride in being champion. What do you think that says about Floyd where he has just this cavalier attitude where he at least publically says he doesn’t really give a darn about it?
Schaefer
No, you know my opinion about the subject. I think at that level, it really depends on the fighters. I think boxing is a sport of champions and it is the belt and it signifies the champion and so I think really at that level it is up to the fighters. Some fighters want to fight for a belt, others don’t. I think it depends on the fight and it depends on the circumstances. But let’s see what Shane has to say.
Mosley
I don’t know what to think about that. I think he should want; I mean everybody grows up wanting to fight for a belt and want to be world champion and for them to just dismiss it like oh, I’m bigger than the belt, I don’t know. That just doesn’t seem like he’s in the sport for the sport. He’s in it just for the money, which is good if he wants to do that. If he wants to fight for money, to each his own, but I love the glory, the legendary status of being a champion and winning belts and being the best guys out there. If he did that, the money is going to come regardless.
Q:
One other question for you about Floyd. He has stated, as has been discussed in this call, he’s the greatest fighter of all time, better than all the Ali’s and Sugar Robinson’s as we’ve covered. And then you look at his resume and he was the welterweight champ of the world when he beat some guys that he beat and then of course gave that up when he retired. But there are a lot of people, myself included, who have criticized the level of his competition particularly since he’s come out of the Lightweight division. When you look at his resume, do you think he has any real resume as a welterweight that by beating you, that would be clearly by far and away his best welterweight victory to do that?
Mosley
I always say that the best fighters, you have to let the people decide that. You can’t be the one to say oh, I’m the best, I’m the best.
Q:
But what do you think of his resume as a welterweight so far?
Mosley
As a welterweight, he hasn’t fought another top welterweight and I’m the first one that’s he fought that’s world champion so it makes the fight a big fight. All the other guys have not really been the best, if you will. There are a lot of great welterweights out there that he could have chosen to fight instead of fighting the ones that he fought. The guys coming from …-47, 35-47, so like I said we’ll see what happens in the fight.
Q:
Hey, Shane. I appreciate your taking my call. I just had one question. I image you’re going to want to put a lot of pressure on Mayweather and I was just wondering how you plan to deal with that … right hand of his?
Mosley
Well, that’s what’s being worked on, different things like that. So, hopefully, we’ll implement that into the fight when we fight him.
Q:
Okay, so you’re keeping it a secret?
Mosley:
I’m supposed to.
Q:
Strategy wise, you guys are both incredibly fast fighters and I’m curious of your perception of Floyd’s speed. Do you think you’re as fast as Floyd at this point in your career and how are you going to counter that speed?
Mosley
Well, I think I’m as fast as any fighter out there and especially Floyd. I’m one of the fastest. I’ve always been quick. We’ll see when we get in there. I’ve never been in the ring with Floyd so I don’t know how to answer that, how I’m going to counter. I’m just going to do what I do best as Sugar Shane Mosley.
Q:
I mean when you watch the tapes, what’s your perception of his speed?
Mosley
I think he has good hand speed, but I think my hand speed is good, too. I don’t know if I’m going to be faster or I’m going to be slower. I have to get in the ring and see. I believe I’m faster. I believe that I’m going to have the advantage in the speed, but we’ll see.
Q:
It seems like you and Naazim have two have very different personalities, but you both have the same understanding of the sport. I just wanted to know like how it was when you two first started training together, like how long it took for you two to gel and what your thoughts are of him as a trainer compared to everyone else you’ve been with in your career.
Mosley
I think he’s a great trainer. I think he’s the best trainer, one of the best trainers that I’ve worked with.
Q:
You had it right the first time. He is the best trainer in the sport.
Mosley
Yes. It’s been great working with him. Right from day one, we gelled perfectly because we had the same philosophies about boxing and different things. We worked great. Right from day one it was a great match.
Q:
To me, from my own experience with Naazim, he seems to be the most honest guy out there. He’ll always tell you what’s on his mind, never in a disrespectful manner, but he’s not going to sugarcoat anything. Has that caused any problems in training? I know some guys they tell you what you want to hear and Naazim tells you what you need to hear. Do you feel like his take is more refreshing than what most others are willing to tell you?
Mosley
I think so. I think him giving me his honest opinion on what he believes and what he feels makes it that much better when we get into the fight. We understand each other. I know what he’s telling me is the truth and it’s not I just can’t just guess and say okay, well can you sugarcoat it a little bit for me? I know that he’s telling me the truth when I get into the fight or when I’m sparring or whatever. Whatever it is, he’s going to give me his honest opinion and I’m happy with that.
Q:
Does that give you more confidence once you step into the ring? I mean I know it’s only the one fight with him, but this will be your second.
Mosley
It’ll definitely gives me more confidence definitely since I’ve been to the ring. I know that I definitely need to do the work. All the good work for this fight I’ve done, the training and different strategies and moves we did, I know that I’m ready and prepared for the fight. All I’ve got to do is just execute.
Q:
Good, good, good. I’m not sure exactly how to ask this, but the fight is being portrayed by some people as sort of a good versus evil, although I think evil is a little bit strong. Does that seem appropriate to you? That would be my first question.
Mosley
Good versus evil? I don’t know. I don’t really think so. I think that Floyd just acts out because of that’s just being himself. But you know, probably outside of the fight, you probably could see some good qualities Floyd has. He can charm up a little bit and be more friendly or whatever. It’s just when the fight happens, he just starts getting a little crazy and starts going back to the things that he’s used to doing. But, I don’t know if you’d say good versus evil. But it’s just going to be a great fight.
Q:
You sort of answered my follow-up. I believe you told me that you don’t really think he’s such a bad guy. It’s just sort of stuff that he says.
Mosley
Yes, some of the things that he says, it’s bad and it reflects and looks bad on him when he says the different things. Some of the things he says I don’t really think he means. He just kind of says it to get a reaction out of you to see what happens and see what you do and that’s probably part of his plan or his strategy before the fight. It’s like fighting before the fight. He’ll just say what’s on the top of his head and just get a reaction out of you. If he gets a reaction out of you, then he’s done a good job, he’s won. So, I don’t perceive him as being a real, like an evil person. That’s just sometimes his nature.
Q:
Okay. So last thing. So one on one, when you’ve run into him over the years, you guys have been fine with each other?
Mosley
Yes, we see each other like I said on the basketball courts or I might see him out and about. We’re fine. There’s no problems. I see like his family members, Roger and Floyd, Sr. and a few other guys. I don’t hate any of those guys. We have a job to do right now and it’s competitive. It’s a competitive sport. We want to know who is the best and I’m here to get in there and show that I’m the best.
Q:
I just wanted to ask and sort of follow-up on that last question and then I have another question. Do you think after this that you and Floyd will have any kind of relationship? I don’t know if you guys had any kind of relationship previous to this, but can you see yourself maybe having any kind of relationship with him whether it’s a professional relationship or whether it’s a personal relationship or being friends or hanging out or anything like that?
Mosley
Yes, of course. It’s nothing personal. I know for me, it’s all business. This is business and this is a competitive sport. This is our legacy on who’s the best fighter. It’s a challenge. So it’s a challenge that I’m ready to take and I’m ready to go into the history books as being the guy to beat Floyd Mayweather and the guy that beats everybody out there, the last man standing. I’m into that. So, when I say that, I mean yes definitely I’ll be there. We can be friends. We can go to dinner, whatever after the fight. It’s all good. The families can get together, all that. But for now, I guess we’re enemies.
Q:
Okay. And the second question, how disruptive has just the Olympic style training and having to let these guys know where you are 24 hours a day and just sort of opening up your camp to the testing, has that been a disruption for you or has it thrown off what you normally would be doing in preparation?
Mosley
Actually, no. Actually, I like the fact that they come all the time and I learned a lot of different things about different things to do. Different things that, if you will, just eating natural and normal foods without taking any of the vitamins. Taking a bunch of vitamins is a good thing for your body. I feel good. I feel great. This has actually been a breakthrough. I like it.
Q:
Okay. You mean say like if you had the sniffles or you have a cold, most people would just like reach for the Tylenol Sinus or whatever. You can’t just reach for that. You have to sort of find out whether it’s okay to take something for the sniffles or sinus infection or cold or whatever, right?
Mosley
Yes it’s been educational, but you can take Tylenol or some other things if you get the sniffles. But there’s other things to take that’s natural that you can use that you can take too as well. It hasn’t bothered me at all. Everything has been great. I love the fact, like I said, it’s been like a breakthrough for me with this USADA thing. It’s actually a good thing.
Q:
Now have they said how far up to the fight that they’re going to keep testing?
Mosley
I don’t know. I’m fine with it. All my testing has been real quick. I did like five of them already and everything is good.
Q:
Okay, five tests. How many for blood?
Mosley
I did three for blood and five for blood and urine.
Q:
Okay. Did you feel weak after the blood test?
Mosley
No, no. They just put a little needle in. I guess it’s psychological. If you feel weak or whatever, that’s a psychological thing with a needle going into you, but with me, I never got weak with needles or blood. That never affected me.
Q:
Just one question for Richard. Could you please go back and explain the belt situation? What exactly is on the line for Shane?
Schaefer
Well, it is not a WBA world championship fight. That’s the fact. However, on the separate side, we are currently discussing with the WBA that for Shane, Shane would be defending his belt. But for the purpose of this call, it’s basically a non-WBA fight. The two best fighters fighting each other I guess. That’s what’s at stake here.
I think that is wrapping it up and again, it’s only a few days for Fight Week. We’re excited about it and look forward to see you all there on May 1 for the great showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley. See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.
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