• Boxing

Both camps bullish ahead of Pacquiao-Mosley battle

Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley face off ahead of their fight on Saturday © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Pacquiao weighs in at 145lbs
  
• Preview: Mosley set for raw deal in Vegas
  
• News: Roach warns Pacquiao to stay patient early on
  
• News: Khan won't fight Pacquiao - Roach
  
• News: Pacquiao gets my leftovers - Mayweather Jr
  
• News: Pacquiao set for war with Mosley
  
• Features: Stakes are high for Pacquiao in Vegas
  
• Profile: Manny Pacquiao

Both Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley insist they will win Saturday's welterweight world title fight in Las Vegas - as the trainers of both men claim they have discovered the blueprint for victory.

Pacquiao enters the fight as the overwhelming favourite, but insists he has not underestimated his 39-year-old opponent. With his last fight coming against Antonio Margarito in the light-middleweight class, the Filipino is aware he will face different challenges against a man who will still enjoy a significant height advantage.

"Shane Mosley is a good fighter. He's strong and I don't underestimate him," Pacquiao, currently ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world by The Ring magazine, said in the final press conference before the fight.

"It's going to be a good fight because he throws a lot of punches and he has good speed compared to Margarito. I have trained hard for this fight. I am in 100 percent condition. You know why? Because I never underestimate Mosley. Do you think he's old? He's not old. He moves like a 32-year-old, a 31-year-old. His hand speed and foot speed is still strong."

Mosley, a former pound-for-pound No. 1 himself - albeit almost a decade ago - has always maintained he has what it takes to spring a surprise against Pacquiao. He believes the pedigree of both men will ensure a quality bout.

"It's going to be a great contest. I'm in great shape, I've trained hard and I'm ready to go," Mosley said. "We're both warriors, we both love to fight and we're both winners. And when you get two winners in there, you know it's going to be a heck of a fight. So I'm excited. I'm ready. It's going to be a blockbuster and I'm happy to be a part of this."

A chance to prove he is not over the hill is also part of the American's motivation.

"It's an opportunity to show people I'm not washed up," he added. "My legs are good, they're strong and ready to go. You don't lose your power. They say you lose your speed, but I haven't lost my speed either."

But Freddie Roach, trainer to both Pacquiao and Amir Khan, has questioned that confidence - believing Mosley will fall apart if moved around the ring as he did against Floyd Mayweather a year ago, losing a lopsided decision despite starting strongly.

"At this age, can Mosley still move for 12 rounds?" Roach pondered. "With a fast pace, Mosley's legs will go. It's going to take eight or nine rounds."

But Mosley's experienced cornerman, Naazim Richardson, has hinted that he has tactics of his own in place to expose weaknesses in Pacquiao's technique and approach.

"I have a solid game plan in place," said Richardson, remaining careful not to give much away. "I have the right athlete for this. I'm not asking him to match Pacquiao's speed, but to be the best Shane Mosley he can be. This is a legend, not Johnny Far Down the Road.

"It's not just about age … it's about Shane's experience. Manny can come to us with all his awkward angles and speed, and we won't fall apart. We won't get all gladiator with him like a young guy would, going down in flames. We'll make adjustments to what we see."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.