• Boxing

Mosley 'really bothered' by underdog tag

ESPN staff
April 19, 2011
Shane Mosley steps into the ring against Manny Pacquiao on May 7 for the WBO welterweight title © PA Photos
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Steve Bunce's boxing column

Shane Mosley is angry to hear himself described as a heavy underdog for his fight against Manny Pacquiao on May 7, according to trainer Nazeem Richardson.

Mosley is currently available at 11/2 to seize the WBO welterweight title in Las Vegas, having struggled to recapture past glories in his recent fights, winning just two of the last five.

He was considered a contender for the pound-for-pound crown at the turn of the century, but back-to-back defeats against Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright wounded his reputation, and he has not been able to fully repair the damage.

For that reason, Pacquiao enters as the red-hot favourite, having stormed to the top of the sport in recent years following comprehensive wins over celebrated names such as Ricky Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya.

And Richardson has told Mosley to use his long-odds status as inspiration for a shock victory, in the mould of Buster Douglas' upset win over Mike Tyson in 1990.

"There have been days where I really have to put it in his head that odds and media predictions don't mean anything," Richardson told Fighthype.com. "It really bothers him when he reads some of that stuff.

"I told him this fight is his Buster Douglas versus Mike Tyson moment. You knock this dude out and all will be forgiven."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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