Mosley: I'm doing Floyd's 'dirty work'

Think of Manny Pacquiao's next fight against Sugar Shane Mosley as one degree of separation from the fight everyone in boxing has been begging to see for the past two years. Mosley lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May 1, and now, he's going to get in the ring with Pacquiao May 7 in Las Vegas.

In the absence of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, Mosley at least will provide fans with a comparable opponent for the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the game. While Mayweather sorts through his legal problems and wrestles with his reluctance to risk his undefeated record, Mosley (46-6-1, 27 KOs) figures he can put an end to all of the speculation about the fight that isn't by upsetting Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs).

"I'm doing Floyd's dirty work for him," Mosley said Monday during the New York stop on the promotional tour. "I believe I'm going to catch [Pacquiao] and knock him out. After I beat him, they can go ahead and fight if they want to."

Few share Mosley's belief. He's been a great champion, but he's going to reach his 40th birthday in September and is a 7-1 underdog. He rocked Mayweather in the second round of their fight, but he barely laid a glove on him the rest of the way. Mosley said his neck stiffened because Mayweather was leaning on it, but he admitted, "It wasn't a good performance for me."

But styles make fights, and Mosley figures he's far better suited to fight an action fighter like Pacquiao than a defensive expert like Mayweather. "I love the fact he's a fighter," Mosley said of Pacquiao, who is defending his WBO welterweight belt. "I'm pretty sure he'll be easier to find than Mayweather. I'm not saying he'll be easier to fight, but it's easier for me because of his style.''

Pacquiao said Mosley still has the power and speed to be a difficult opponent. Having moved up to 154 in his last bout against Antonio Margarito to win a record eighth title in a different weight class, he said, "I'm satisfied with what I've done in boxing. I just want to maintain my accomplishments."

Mayweather is the farthest thing from his mind now. "I'm not interested in that fight," Pacquiao said, "but if it happens, it's good for me and for the fans."

To get Pacquiao, Mosley bought his way out of Golden Boy Promotions to do a deal with Top Rank. He had a four-percent share of the company, but when he cashed out, he received a check for $1,000. Golden Boy took whatever equity was left. Mosley's no accountant, but he guessed a $1-million loss. In the process, he upset Golden Boy's hopes for a third fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Pacquiao.

As someone who has met all the top fighters of his generation, this bout was worth any sacrifice to Mosley. "This is a fighter who is supposed to be one of the best in history," Mosley said. "For me to take him out at this time in my career would be remarkable."