By Ernest Gabion

While most of the boxing world is anticipating that a match up between Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen provided the former pound-for gets past lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, welterweight champion Sugar Shane Mosley sees it differently.

"I have been calling out Manny Pacquiao for some time now but it wasn't getting out there so I am saying it again - the best pound –for-pound fighter versus the best welterweight. 

“I feel I am the best fighter in the world and I am willing to prove it by fighting Manny Pacquiao at a catch weight"

Oh really? How low can you go Shane? 

Considering weight has been far too much of a topic in recent boxing news what with everyone making their own weights up as they go, Mosley is willing to do what few others care to and actually meet a fighter where it's seemingly fair for both parties involved.

"My last fight I made 147 easily and feel that I can go down a little bit further to make a matchup between myself and Manny Pacquiao happen. A few pounds maybe 144 we would have to see what is best for all involved I was never a 154lb fighter to begin with I did those fights for the matchups I was a small Junior Middleweight" said Mosley when asked about what weight could make this fight happen.

"I feel recharged to be honest and the tank is definitely not empty.  It's about getting back to the basics and going about boxing from an old school perspective.  I didn't and won't consult with a nutritionist or conditioning coach because, for me at least, they are overrated and I have seen nothing but issues with them. They don't seem to know whats best for a boxer as most of them come from different sports backgrounds.  I went back to the basics for my last fight and you saw the results.

Sounds great!  Two highly competitive fighters, neither known for avoiding the best fights out there, getting in the ring to see who is the better fighter. What could possibly hold this up?

For starters, Manny's recent stardom now puts him in a rare atmosphere where he can choose who he fights.  While a fight with Shane may indeed be a fan's dream it may not be the biggest fight out there for Manny.

"Well, one thing I know is that if they are interested negotiations for this fight would go a lot smoother than what they would for Mayweather who would demand the lion's share or do everything he can not to make that fight happen. I know that Manny and Freddie (Roach, Pacquiao's trainer) both want this fight as they know that I won't run,stink the place out or complain about my hands like Floyd would."

What about Miguel Cotto, the man who beat Mosley in November of 2007?

"I am sure (Pacquiao and Cotto promoter Bob) Arum would be in favor of a Cotto fight for Manny.  Let me put this out; there Cotto didn't beat me.  That was a hometown decision. I was clearly outboxing him and he knew it but I made the mistake of going to war with him. 

“I asked him since we fought on the East Coast and it was a close fight let's do it again and fight on the West Coast, but he wanted no part of that.  You know the funny thing is that even that he goes and fights Margarito in Vegas because he thought he could beat Margarito but he was wrong.  I am the best welterweight out there I proved it against Margarito in January."

It was January 24, 2009, to be exact.  What we witnessed that night is what brings us to today with Mosley now being in an enviable position coming off a career rejuvenating win and in a division where the prospects for big fights is promising.

However, one thing that we may never see is a potential match up with the come backing Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"Mayweather doesn't want to fight the best in spite of what he says.  He is talking lip service; nothing more. I almost go to a point where I wouldn't call him out anymore but let's be honest. He says these things to steal the money off the fans he might as well admit it and say he came back simply for the money because he lost it all.

"He needs money he blew it all and needs to comeback.  Maybe it was the way he was brought up thinking it's okay to burn through money.  It's a shame with the talent he has wasting his time not fighting the best. Don't get me wrong I think Marquez will make this a fight considering how well he landed on a tougher fighter like Pacquiao but Mayweather seems content on fighting a lightweight rather than the best in his own division.”