Mosley willing to fight Pacman at 142 pounds

MANILA, Philippines – As early as January, right after his stunning knockout of Antonio Margarito, WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley said he wanted to face Manny Pacquiao.

“I want the one with the most money,” he was quoted as saying.

But some issues with the weight came up. Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, dared Mosley to come down to 142. Mosley said he won’t or can’t fight lower than 145.

Yesterday, however, Mosley, one of the oldest champions out there, aired his change of heart, telling fightnews.com that he’s ready to take on Pacquiao.

Now.

“There are conflicting reports from the Pacquiao camp an upcoming fight between me and Manny Pacquiao. I want it to be known that I want to fight Pacquiao and I want to fight him now,” Mosley was quoted.

“I’m willing to meet at a catch weight to make that happen. I know this is what Freddie Roach wants as well, as he has previously stated this to press,” he said.

A catch weight could mean 143 lbs, give and take. But whether or not Mosley’s 147 lb title would be at stake is a different matter. What’s important to him is the fight.

“I am the best fighter in boxing and I am ready to reclaim the title of number one pound-for-pound fighter,” said Mosley who showed the quickness of a fighter 10 years younger when he stunned Margarito.

Pushing 38, Mosley is seven years older, and at 5-foot-9, almost three inches taller than Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound champion and the sport’s biggest draw today.

Arum has penciled Oct. 17 as the date of Pacquiao’s next fight -- whoever, wherever.

Mosley is under Oscar dela Hoya’s Golden Boy and Pacquiao under Bob Arum’s Top Rank. The two giant promoters were at odds a couple of years back, but have proven to be great partners, too.

They staged the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight and some big ones before that as well, and only last month came up with the Pacquiao-Hatton show.

Arum said it’s up to Pacquiao and Roach to decide and as of now they’re looking at Mosley, who may have moved on top of the list, Miguel Cotto, who faces Josh Clottey in New York on June 13, or Edwin Valero.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., the comebacking ex-pound-for-pound king, takes on Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18, and should only be considered a Pacquiao opponent for next year.

If Mosley wants it, he might just get it.