“Sugar” Shane Mosley and Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez prepare for their respected battles

For Sugar Shane Mosley, his May 1 mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather cannot come soon enough.  Having longed for this fight for many years, he is mentally and physically ready for battle, with training preparations well underway.  Following a three-city media tour which wrapped up in Los Angeles on March 4, Mosley immediately returned to Big Bear, Calif., where he owns a home and has trained since 1996.  In the serene mountain environment, Mosley is relaxed, but working extremely hard in preparation for what he knows will be one of the toughest battles of his career.  The fact that Mayweather steps into the ring with a record of 40-0 is not intimidating to the former pound-for-pound champ who is ready to take back his throne.

“I was 38-0 with 35 knockouts when I stepped into the ring and lost for the very first time,” said Mosley.  “So when you say 40-0, that doesn’t mean a thing to me.  All it means is that I’ll be the one giving him his first loss. No disrespect, but I really don’t think he’s been in there with a fighter like me, and I believe that when I beat Floyd, I will send him into retirement. May first will be May’s first loss.”

Notes from Big Bear

The calm, quiet, and relaxed atmosphere that Mosley is enjoying at camp has been coupled with intense workouts. He and the rest of the Mosley Tribe (as Shane refers to them) stay on the property Mosley has owned since 2000, which includes his private home and a boxing gym. There is also plenty of room for housing sparring partners recruited to help with training. Running begins by 7:00 a.m. each morning and is followed by work with fitness trainer and massage therapist Gustavo Satragni, who is in camp with Mosley for the second time. Satragni, who has worked with the likes of Carlos Baldomir as well as some of the top soccer players from his native Argentina, concentrates his attention on improving Mosley’s stamina, balance and flexibility. Then it is off to breakfast with his team and a small group of familiar faces including his trainer Naazim Richardson, his best friend from childhood and second assistant Hassan Abdulrahim Jr., Elliott Ness who handles personal security, sparring partner Karl “Dynamite” Dargan and most importantly, his son Shane Mosley Jr. eats healthy, though weight is not a problem. After doing media interviews and resting during the day, it’s back to the gym in the evening, this time to concentrate on boxing training with Richardson and Hassan. In addition to hitting the heavy bags, mitts, and sparring, the team works on a full arsenal of strategies. After boxing, Mosley’s day wraps up with some additional stretching and a massage.

“I love Big Bear and have gotten very comfortable with the surroundings and the people who live up here,” said Mosley. “It’s quiet, peaceful, the air is clean and the altitude can’t be beat. There is no other place that I could feel more relaxed and ready to prepare for a fight, particularly a big one like this.” 

Mosley ready for his close-up

Mosley has been a fan of HBO’s award winning 24/7 since the series debuted in 2007. With the show’s first episode set to air on April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, Mosley, along with Mayweather, who has appeared on the show three times before, has allowed cameras behind-the-scenes to capture moments the often reserved Mosley has never shared before.  Mosley was asked if he was concerned about the expected on-screen battle with the entertaining Mayweather.

“People who watch 24/7 Mayweather/Mosley will get to see the real me. I’m not worried about being over the top and doing anything crazy like Floyd. He’s playing a character and doing his thing. I’m just excited to let the fans in and give them a glimpse of my life and what it’s like leading up to one of the biggest fights of my career

Mexico’s boxing phenom Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to be featured on Undercard

He’s only 19-years-old yet there are a lot of hopes riding on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. “Canelo” as he is known in his native Mexico, due to his distinguishing red hair and freckles, recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Alvarez has been compared to the likes of legendary Mexican fighters Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Erik Morales. Since his professional debut more than four years ago, Canelo has amassed a record of (31-0-1-23 KOs) His stardom in Mexico has led him to single-handedly sell out venues across the country. Although Alvarez has been thrilling crowds in Mexico for years, he now looks to capture the attention of fans here in the states. Canelo will fight the biggest fight of his career on the biggest stage May 1, 2010 on the undercard for Mayweather-Mosley. Alvarez will be featured as the Hispanic attraction, when he takes on Jose Miguel Cotto (31-1-23 KOs) If the name sounds familiar it is because Jose is the older brother of former welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto. Jose is coming off a knockout victory of llido Julio last December. Golden Boy Promotions thinks so highly of Canelo that On Sunday April 25, at Olvera St, in Los Angeles, Oscar De La Hoya will be hosting a public rally for him. 

El Gran Chisme:

Erislandy Lara defeats Carlsbad’s Danny Perez

With dazzling footwork, and stirring combinations, Jr. Middleweight Erislandy Lara made easy work of Carlsbad’s Danny Perez last Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lara often befuddled the 14 year veteran during the 10-round fight, as it became apparent that Perez simply had no answer for Lara’s speed. The performance prompted all three judges to score the bout 99-91 in Lara’s favor. With the win Lara improves his record to (11-0-6 KOs) while Perez drops to (34-7-17 KOs).

Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya will be appearing on the George Lopez television show “Lopez Tonight” next week. Check local listings for time, and date.