Shane Mosley refuses to lament past mistakes, focused solely on future
(In conjunction with HBO Sports, Yahoo! Sports will be featuring special Q&A entries from Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Shane Mosley. This is part 2 of 2 from "Sugar" Shane Mosley, who faces Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on May 5.)
If you could get one fight back, so that you could change your approach to training or strategy in the fight or some other important factor, which would it be and why?
It doesn’t do me any service as a fighter to look book at past fights and critique myself. The past is the past, and you don’t get fights back. Each and every single fight has led me to where I am today and I wouldn’t change any of that. Sure, there are moments where things could have gone differently, but that’s with anything in life. Like I’ve said before, the [Sergio] Mora fight wasn’t the type of fight I’d like to be in again, but it was what it was. The crowd is such a big part of every match, and when the crowd is disappointed, like it was with the Mora fight, it’s hard not to be disappointed.
I don’t look at a loss and say ‘I wish I could get this fight back, I wish I could do it again.’ You could drive yourself crazy doing that. That’s not a boxing thing, that’s with anything and everything. Instead, you look at yourself and say: ‘What will make me a better boxer? How hard do I need to train?’ You know, I am a boxing champion. I know what winning feels like; there’s nothing like it. But at the end of the day, you do your best and that’s it. I feel ready to win again though and that’s what is going to happen on May 5th. Fans and viewers alike will watch this match and know what kind of boxer I am, what kind of boxer I have become.
What are some of Alvarez's strengths as a fighter in your opinion? I'm sure Naazim has been watching a lot of tape on Canelo. Are there any interesting tendencies he's pointed out to you?
Canelo is a young, talented fighter and will definitely help make things exciting for the fans. There’s a lot I admire about the way he boxes, the way he moves, the way he anticipates hits. But ultimately, I know my experience as a seasoned fighter will be evident to anyone who watches. I think there’s a tendency for everyone to be fascinated in fights where there is an age difference like there is with Canelo and myself. We will both be fighting to win, and in the end, I will win. I’d like to think I’ve proved many a naysayer wrong in my career.
For those who think I won’t be the winner, I say remember I have surprised before. I’m so proud of my career and the fights I have been, and I am very happy that I can add this one to my legacy. I can’t speak for Canelo, but judging where he is in his career, I know how bad he wants to win. I am glad we get to fight so everyone can see what a good match looks like. I am immensely looking forward to May 5th and I predict the fans will enjoy it as well. In fact, I think that this will be a fight to remember, knowing the passion that is coming from me, and I’m sure from Canelo. As May 5th approaches, let’s remember that boxing is a strong and vibrant community and we are lucky to be a part of it.
“Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto,” and Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
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