Shane Mosley, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion, and a holder of both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight titles, was one of the most formidable boxers of his generation.
Renowned for his speed, power, and technical skills, Mosley reigned supreme in the world of boxing during the late 90s and early 2000s. His place among boxing's elite was cemented by defeating some of the biggest names in the sport, including Oscar De La Hoya.
After retiring from professional boxing in 2016, Mosley surprised fans by returning to the ring in an exhibition fight. His opponent? Bob Kofroth, a coach who transitioned into the ring for this special bout. The exhibition, which was billed as a "World Light-heavyweight Title" fight, took place over one-minute rounds. Despite the brief nature of each round, Mosley demonstrated his skills, overpowering Kofroth with relative ease, even though he appeared heavier and slower compared to his prime.
The fight ended when Kofroth’s corner threw in the towel, conceding defeat after Mosley landed a series of punishing uppercuts. Although the fight was not a professional bout, Mosley’s performance hinted that he still had plenty of fight left in him.
This has sparked renewed interest in potential exhibition bouts for the 53-year-old, and Mosley himself wasted no time in calling out two of his former rivals: Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Mosley was candid about his desire to face both Pacquiao and De La Hoya in rematches. He made it clear that he sees these exhibition fights as an opportunity to settle unfinished business, particularly with De La Hoya. “Manny Pacquiao. I want to fight Pacquiao, man. I would fight Oscar De La Hoya, but Oscar doesn’t want to fight,” Mosley said. “He be talking all this mess, but he doesn’t want to fight. I don’t understand it. He should keep my name out of his mouth. I wasn’t even talking about him; he came up and started talking about me.”
Mosley expressed frustration with De La Hoya, who he defeated twice during their careers. He added, “He is just jealous because I beat him two times. But we might as well do it a third time, with him talking all this mess. He doesn’t want that smoke, though. He really doesn’t.”
While Mosley may be eager to face De La Hoya, his real focus seems to be on securing a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. The two boxing legends met in the ring on May 7, 2011, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao won the fight in dominant fashion, earning a unanimous decision with scores of 119-108, 120-108, and 120-107. Despite Mosley’s strong efforts, he was outmatched by Pacquiao’s speed and relentless offense. However, Mosley did manage to send Pacquiao to the canvas once during the fight, a moment that remains a highlight of their matchup.
Even though Pacquiao won convincingly, Mosley has consistently expressed admiration for the Filipino icon. In recent interviews, he went as far as to call Pacquiao the hardest puncher he had ever faced. This respect for Pacquiao’s abilities makes the prospect of a rematch even more intriguing for fans. While Pacquiao continues to remain active through exhibition fights, a second bout with Mosley could serve as a marquee event in the exhibition boxing world.
Manny Pacquiao has been equally busy in the world of exhibition boxing. Despite his retirement from professional boxing in 2021, Pacquiao has continued to entertain fans by stepping into the ring for exhibition matches. His most recent appearance came on July 28, 2024, when he faced Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition fight at Super Rizin 3, held at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
These exhibition fights serve as a way for Pacquiao to stay active and connected with his fans while exploring new ventures outside the sport. However, reports suggest that the 45-year-old is also interested in making a professional comeback, particularly in the welterweight division. Pacquiao has set his sights on the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title, a belt that is currently held by Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao’s representatives were reportedly in talks with Barrios’ team for a potential title fight, with discussions progressing positively. Barrios, who was recently elevated to welterweight world champion by the WBC Board of Governors, seemed like the perfect opponent for Pacquiao’s return to the professional ranks.
However, in a setback for the Filipino legend, Barrios has since agreed to defend his title against Abel Ramos in November 2024. This development likely rules out any possibility of Pacquiao fighting for the WBC welterweight title in 2024.
With his title ambitions temporarily on hold, fans are left to wonder if Pacquiao might consider Mosley’s challenge for a rematch. Although the stakes in an exhibition fight wouldn’t be the same as a world title bout, the nostalgia and star power of a Pacquiao-Mosley rematch could draw significant attention from the boxing community and beyond.
A Pacquiao-Mosley rematch, even in an exhibition setting, would be a fascinating event for several reasons. First, both fighters are legends in their own right, with Hall of Fame careers that have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Second, the 2011 fight between the two, while one-sided, still had its moments of drama, including Mosley’s knockdown of Pacquiao. A rematch would allow both fighters to relive those moments and give fans an opportunity to see two legends square off one more time.
Moreover, exhibition boxing has proven to be a lucrative avenue for retired fighters. Floyd Mayweather, for example, has participated in numerous exhibition bouts that have earned him millions, despite the fights having little to no impact on his professional legacy. For Pacquiao and Mosley, a similar financial incentive could make a rematch even more appealing.
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If you’re a fan of boxing, now is the perfect time to explore the betting opportunities available at OKBet. With legends like Pacquiao and Mosley still active in the exhibition space, there’s no shortage of thrilling matchups to wager on.
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