Mosley, Mayweather fight is on

[A.E]

Mosley, Mayweather reach terms

Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to terms for a welterweight super fight, Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe said Friday. Later Friday, Mosley signed his contract in Las Vegas, Mosley's attorney Judd Burstein told ESPN.com.

"Shane has signed. I sat with him [Friday] and we went through every provision of the contract and he signed," Burstein said. "He is excited to move forward with the bout."

Mosley will defend his welterweight title against Mayweather on May 1 on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather's signature is a formality, according to Burstein and Ellerbe.

"I confirmed with Leonard [on Friday night] that there are no issues," Burstein said.

"All of the deal points have been agreed to," Ellerbe said. "We still have to put pen to paper, but everything is agreed to. It's with the lawyers. Shane is a great fighter, one of the best of his era, and so is Floyd. It's going to be a great fight. It's a fight fans have wanted to see for a long time."

Ellerbe said that he expected Mayweather's paperwork to be completed in the next few days with a formal announcement likely next week.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Mayweather has the option for an immediate rematch in the event he loses.

The fight came together after an unexpected turn of events.

First, Mayweather became available for a fight three weeks ago when negotiations with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao disintegrated. They had agreed to all terms for a March 13 fight that loomed as the biggest in boxing -- except for a drug testing protocol.

They had agreed to random urine testing, but Mayweather also wanted random blood testing, even though that is not required under the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Pacquiao agreed only to three blood tests, but none within 24 days of the fight, and the third one immediately after the bout.

Mayweather has alluded to Pacquiao using performance-enhancing drugs, even though he has never produced any evidence, and Floyd Mayweather Sr. has outright said he believes Pacquiao uses.

The rancor over the drug testing issue caused the fight to fall apart and Pacquiao moved on. He will defend his version of the 147-pound title against former titlist Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Then Mosley became available two weeks ago. He was scheduled to meet Andre Berto in a title unification bout at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday night. However, Berto, a Haitian-American, withdrew from the bout after eight members of his extended family were killed in the earthquake in Haiti.

Immediately after the cancellation of Mosley-Berto, Mosley and Mayweather -- the former welterweight champ and pound-for-pound king until giving up the mantle during a brief retirement -- began negotiating.

"The negotiations were very cordial and went very smoothly," Ellerbe said.

Mosley has agreed to undergo random blood and urine testing, as has Mayweather, Ellerbe said.

SOURCE

LAME. An easy fight for Mayweather. I expect Mosley to come out swinging, these 2 really don't like each other, but Mosley's way past his prime.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

I really wanted to see the Mosley - Berto title fight which would have been tonight, but Berto had to back out due the earthquake situation in Haiti. Other than that i guess this fight would be good.

 

[The Young One]

There 24/7's are gonna be goat. I expect this to be a good fight. Mayweather wins by decision is my prediction. Shane is gonna give a better fight than expected imo.

 

[jarrod2323]

I'm kinda excited about this one, but woulda preferred the Manny fight.

makes you wonder, though why Manny would not allow the extra blood testing... makes you go hmmmm???

 

[A.E]

I would of liked to see this fight 5 years ago. Somebody mentioned 24/7 which I really can't stand either. All HBO is doing is making it seem like the underdog stands a chance.

 

[snipezo]

Smh. Pac-Mayweather better happen soon.

 

[The Young One]

Add another W to the best boxer in the world's record.

 

[A.E]

Mosley totally <Censored>ed out in this fight. The guy had a strong 2nd round and then totally fell off the wagon. What pisses me off is how Mosley had to of known he was way behind on the cards but didn't do jack <Censored> to get himself back into the fight. I don't think Mayweather was as much on his game, as I feel Mosley was weak as as <Censored>. It also pisses me off how Mosley basically concedes after the fight and totally starts kissing Mayweather's ass. All the <Censored> he talked on 24/7 and he didn't back any of it up.

We may never see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather though. That Olympic style drug testing is ludicrous and after seeing Mosley deal with the <Censored> on 24/7, I honestly wouldn't want any part of it either.