Boxing’s Biggest Names Involved SHANE MOSLEY LEADS FUND-RAISER FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA VICTIMS

By Ryan Songalia

MANILA, Philippines – Just two months into retirement after 34 years of combined professional and amateur boxing, Shane Mosley has broadened his horizons to explore different ventures.

The former three-division champion was in Manila finalizing details for the non-profit organization United Boxing Relief Fund, which will be kicked off by a black-tie dinner to benefit Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims, plus a boxing event featuring world title fights in Manila.

The 42-year-old Mosley (47-9-1, 39 knockouts) was accompanied by wealth management consultant Germaine Gillies, San Francisco-based lawyer Sydney Hall, British boxing promoter Dennis Hobson and sports entrepreneur John Rider to finalize details for the organization’s events.

Mosley left Friday afternoon but vowed to return in the next few weeks and wants to visit Yolanda-stricken areas. Mosley’s son, Shane Mosley Jr, is fighting in the USA Boxing Championships and said he wants to be present for his son’s fight should he make it to the finals.

“I’ve been shown so much great love here in the Philippines,” said Mosley, a former lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight champion. “For boxing, this is one of the first in Southeast Asia that we’re going to do. This is my first time being here and I’m happy to be one of the hosts for this event.”

Mosley said the dinner, tentatively scheduled for May 24, already has commitments from Filipino boxers Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former junior welterweight titleholder Amir Khan of England, who has trained in the Philippines previously, highlight the invite list.

Rider added that they have “soft commitments” from top fighters but didn’t want to divulge details until contracts were signed.

“We expect in the next 30 days to make several announcements, who is coming, who we’re going to partner with on the charity side,” said Rider.

Gillies, who was born and raised in Baguio and speaks Tagalog, Igorot and Ilocano, has spear-headed the organization in an effort to give back her country of birth.

“I left Baguio when I was 9-years old and I went back in ’95 when I was 15 for my grandfather’s funeral. At that time when you’re a teenager you’re detached from reality and priorities are different.

“My priorities have changed since I was 15…They glamorize Las Vegas but coming to the Philippines and getting back into my roots and culture and seeing what I’ve seen is what has prompted me to create this organization and be able to give back. What better way to give back than to give back to my people.

Said Hall: “We started a year ago and we’ve been begging him [Mosley] to do the project with us. All of a sudden the big storm hit. We went back to Shane and asked him if he’ll go with us to the Philippines and he said yes.”

Mosley, whose career highlights include two wins apiece over Oscar de la Hoya and Fernando Vargas, plus a knockout of Antonio Margarito, has fought many of the biggest names in the sport, including a fight where he nearly knocked Floyd Mayweather Jr. out and knocked down Manny Pacquiao.

Mosley was asked about a number of boxing issues by Rappler. When asked about the potential for a rematch between Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, Mosley said the outcome depends on how hungry Pacquiao is to bolster his legacy.

“I think it’s going to be another great fight. Timothy Bradley is young and in shape and he throws a lot of punches,” said Mosley, whose son is set to turn pro on the rematch’s undercard on April 12 in Las Vegas. “I’m interested to see how Manny comes back. In the last fight he was kind of warming up but I want to see the ‘Fire Manny,’ to see if he still has that when he fights Timothy Bradley.”

Mosley cited the hunger and desire of Filipino fighters for his interest to cultivate talent in the nation, which currently boasts three world champions.

“I hope to come back out here to the Philippines and seal out the fights,” said Mosley. “I’m always able and willing to help any fighter that wants help. I believe there are a lot of great Filipino fighters out here like Gerry Peñalosa…that’s more like my era. I worked with a lot of great Filipino fighters in California. Not really in the Philipines yet but I’m going to go to a few gyms and check it out.”

The question that everyone had on their minds was about the highly-anticipated, but never materialized bout between his two former rivals Pacquiao and Mayweather. Mosley said he favors Mayweather, but thinks Pacquiao might have the style to take Floyd down.

“Boxing is a type of sport where anything can happen. Styles make fights. I see the edge going towards Floyd because of his movement and the way he does things. He’s a little taller, he moves fast, he’s quick, he’s hard to hit, he’s used to fighting big guys,” said Mosley.

“I could also see Manny catching Floyd if he has the right fire, like when he was coming up, and he really goes after him. Floyd, I don’t really think he likes southpaws too much, and Manny being a southpaw that can really change the whole demographics of the fight. I’ll definitely pay for it, be there and be excited to see what happens.” – Rappler.com

Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.