According to Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a deal for WBA Welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi to take on former three division champion Shane Mosley is close to being finalized.
Mosley told ESPN.com on Monday that the deal has been agreed to and that “on my end, it’s a go.”
“Shane came to see me in early December and said he wanted to come back for an opportunity to win a world title again, that he feels ready, that he feels he can beat Malignaggi and see if we could give him the opportunity,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “I looked in his eyes and told him he cannot make a lot of money and that a lot of people question whether he should fight. But I told him I will do what I can to give him the opportunity and that it would be up to him to prove that he has what it takes to be world champion again.
“I discussed the fight with the networks and Paulie and I felt Shane deserved the opportunity to fight for a world title again. He has accomplished so much and thrilled fight fans in so many fights, so I am happy to give him this opportunity.”
“I’m excited to have my father back with me as my coach,” Mosley said. “To be able to go into a fight and (try to) win a world title again with my father in the corner, that is like a storybook. To go into a fight like this and have family in the corner and win another belt, it’s going to be a great feeling.”
“Me working with my son and other up-and-coming fighters, I felt good. My body feels better,” said Mosley, who attributed his winless stretch to a series of leg and groin injuries that he said are now better.
“My legs were dead,” Mosley said. “I couldn’t move like I wanted to and I was throwing one shot at a time. That started from injuries. I had a groin injury before the Mayweather fight. After that I had the Achilles injury. I was fighting with no legs and I couldn’t attack. That’s why I had so many problems.”
“I was thinking about it and running a little bit and I said, ‘You know what? I think I can do this,'” he said. “I’m holding my own in the gym no matter who I work with. I really love this sport. I love to do it. When I am in the gym, I can see myself improving.”
“I told Richard that this could be a good fight and asked him what do you think about Paulie and me fighting in Brooklyn,” Mosley said. “Fighting Paulie is a great opportunity. (When Golden Boy offered me the fight) it’s something you can’t really refuse. Paulie is a mover, but he’s durable. A lot of people underestimate him and then they lose. But I can’t afford to underestimate him.”
“I’m not fighting for money,” said Mosley, who has earned tens of millions of dollars. “I’m fighting for the belt and the love of the sport. I love the sport. I want to be in there. I want to win the belt. I’m not fighting for the money. I’m fighting for history, legacy and the family coming back together. This is a fight to give me a world title that I want and after winning it, I will fight all comers.”
“The first reaction from a lot of people when I mentioned the fight was, ‘Why?’ My reaction was who do you think will win the fight and the reaction was that they thought Shane might win,” Schaefer said. “That’s why it’s an intriguing fight. And Shane is going into the lion’s den in Paulie’s backyard because this is about his desire to become welterweight champion again.”
Said Mosley: “There’s not to much to say to the critics. Say what you say. I’m just thankful and grateful I have the opportunity to get in the ring and fight for a world title again.”
