WBO ready to clear Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley
In light of recent talk that boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and “Sugar” Shane Mosley ought to hop into the ring, WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel is ready to give the two fighters his blessing with one stipulation.
“[The bout] must be fought at 147 pounds,” Valcarcel said. “We have no problem sanctioning the fight as long as the bout is contested at 147 pounds.”
The news was reported Friday by Jhonny Gonzalez of boxingscene.com.
Pacquiao, who picked up the vacant WBC junior middleweight title for weekend efforts against Antonio Margarito, is also the WBO welterweight champion of the world. A bout with Mosley would thus be for his WBO title.
As per official boxing regulations, Pacquiao is forced to vacate one of his two titles. Fighters are not permitted to hold multiple titles in different weight classes for the reason that it restricts other fighters from winning titles in their relevant
weight classes.
Reports have already suggested Pacquiao will abolish his WBC crown, since he is more comfortable fighting in the welterweight division than at junior middleweight.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum recently confirmed Mosley was a top candidate for Pacquiao if negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr. remain unsuccessful. Pacquiao’s advisor, Michael Koncz, seconded the statements and said that Mosley was a favourable because
he is a known draw and popular name in the United States.
Mosley, 39, has not won a professional boxing contest since January 2009. His last fight was against Sergio Mora in September. The two fought on an HBO pay-per-view that was widely criticized by the boxing community. The fight ended in a draw, and neither
opponent seemed able to truly engage the other, with even the ringside announcers frustrated with the results.
Mosley has recently been cleared of a contract with Golden Boy Promotions and is thus free to fight fighters under any promotional banner.
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