Pacquiao vs Mosley: Pacquiao will not take Mosley challenge lightly

There was no hint that Manny Pacquiao was taking "Sugar" Shane Mosley lightly as he addressed the media in an international conference call a week before their 12-round title bout on May 7 (May 8 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, boxing's reigning pound-for-pound king, will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against ex-champion Mosley

Despite the former eight-division champ Pacquiao being seven years younger than the 39-year-old former three-division title holder Mosley, the fighting congressman from the lone district of Sarangani province said he doesn't see his opponent as an old target.

"Shane Mosley is still strong and he moves like [he's] 29 years old," said Pacquiao, who holds a record of 52-3-2 (38 knockouts). "He's the kind of fighter that you can't underestimate. He's bigger in size than me and stronger. He's a former pound-for-pound champ and still good."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who will receive his fifth Trainer of the Year award the night before the fight at the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Annual Awards Dinner, was also cautious in counting out the future Hall of Famer.

"Mosley brings speed, power and all that," said Roach. "He's got a good team behind him and we have a good challenge in front of us. Manny is motivated for a reason, because he respects Mosley. That's what excites me about it.

"The first five rounds will be very critical and the way we attack him will have a lot of thought behind it. If we just walk in he'll counter punch the hell out of us."

Mosley, 46-6-1 (39 KOs), hasn’t been impressive in his last two outings, which include a one-sided decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a draw with the unheralded Sergio Mora. 

Still, Mosley said he relishes being the underdog. In his biggest wins – a knockout of Antonio Margarito and two decisions over Oscar de la Hoya – Mosley was a prohibitive underdog.

"They said Margarito was going to kill me. People said they were scared for my health and all that crap. I had about three different things going on in my life, including a divorce. But I just listened to myself and came out with the victory," said Mosley.

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