Phenomenon of longevity

Nicola Scevola, writing in L’Uomo Vogue (Nov. 2010), described Sugar Shane Mosley as “a phenomenon of longevity” and quoted the former three-time world boxing champion as saying, “People have tried to put limits on my career for a long time...I know I don’t have much time but I want to make the most of it and still fight the best.”

Mosley, 39, is in the twilight of a long pro career that began in 1993, two years before his May 7 opponent Manny Pacquiao made his own debut. Although Mosley has logged three less pro fights than Pacquiao, he’s been slugging it out much longer – his amateur record was 240-10.

But while longevity is considered his trademark, Mosley’s marriage to Korean-Irish Jin Sheehan didn’t last too long. They were married in Nov. 2002 and divorced last year. Sheehan, whose mother is Korean, used to manage Mosley’s boxing career. Her father has a master’s in business degree and is a certified public accountant. Mosley and Jin have three children – Najee Jamarr, 8, Taiseki Justin, 7 and Mee Yon Jinae, 6. Mosley has another child, Shane Jr., 19, with another woman. Shane Jr. is an aspiring junior middleweight amateur fighter with a 10-6 record and lost a three-round decision to Ivan Lazaro last October.

Jin’s divorce settlement included a $20,000 monthly allowance from Mosley for her clothes, jewelry, personal trainer, cosmetics and massage therapist. Mosley was also ordered by the court to sell their house and split the proceeds down the middle with his ex-wife. An amount for children support to be given by Mosley was not specified but that had to be quite a sum, too. No wonder Mosley can’t get himself to retire from the ring.

How Mosley intends to fight Pacquiao is a subject of speculation. Will he box from long range or will he engage in a slugfest? Mosley is bigger and may be stronger than Pacquiao but isn’t as quick both with his hands and feet. “Although Pacquiao is the younger man and has the advantage of being a lefty, enough advantages lie with Mosley that he figures to enter the fight as the favorite,” said The Ring Magazine. “Mosley won’t find Pacquiao to be anywhere near as easy to hit as (Antonio) Margarito was but if Pacman does indeed get hit, Mosley is someone you could envision turning his lights out.”

Mosley showed his durability in taking the last two rounds to salvage a draw with Sergio Mora in Los Angeles last September. Sugar Shane has gone the full route in 11 of his last 16 bouts, a stark contrast to his 38-0 start with 35 KOs. It could be an indication that Mosley is losing his KO touch because of age – his reflexes aren’t as cat-quick, his combinations aren’t as sharp. Last May, he staggered Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the second round but failed to put him down.

If longevity is his calling card, Mosley will try to go the distance with Pacquiao and take his chances with the judges. It may be too much of a risk to go toe-to-toe with the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Mosley is near the end of his career and no doubt, would like to finish off without ever tasting a defeat by knockout.

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Former national football coach Simon McMenemy of England may be tapped to take care of the under-23 squad that will compete at the Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia, in November. McMenemy was disqualified from coaching in the coming AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup which requires national coaches from Europe to be licensed by the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations).

McMenemy, 33, led the Azkals to the AFF (Asean Football Federation) Suzuki Cup semifinals last December. Hans Michael Weiss was chosen from a list of three German coaches by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to replace McMenemy during a trip to Frankfurt last week. Palami was also able to negotiate a grant from the German Football Association which will give the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) over $1 million in assistance for grassroots development, an elite program and a coaching staff.

Not to be outdone, PFF president Mariano (Nonong) Araneta Jr. recently got a commitment from three Middle East countries – Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan – for assistance to train the national team. The $500,000 package includes all-expenses-paid trips to the hosting countries. He was also assured by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) development manager for Asia and Oceania David Borja that the Zurich governing body’s annual subsidy is ready for release to the PFF.

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The four-sided Big Cube scoreboard hanging from the ceiling over the hardcourt in the middle of the Araneta Coliseum came from ADSystems or Animated Display Systems, Inc., a company established by Jim and Teri Thomas in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1980 and later relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, in 1986.

ADSystems specializes in electronic and digital displays and manufacturing and installing large sign structures. The company employs engineers with software and hardware expertise and a diverse team of service technicians. ADSystems operates out of a 40,000 square-foot building in Fort Myers. Among its customers are the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees. It has installations in South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the US and now, in the Philippines.

The Big Cube makes watching at the Big Dome a whole new enriching experience. It’s a great way to welcome the new year. Fans are surely getting their money’s worth – wherever they sit – witnessing the action in the PBA semifinals.

And with plans to continue upgrading the viewing experience at the Big Dome, you can almost hear Uniprom director for entertainment and marketing Sienna Olaso exclaiming, “you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”