Quote Originally Posted by CFH View Post

Mosley can compete between 147 - 300 lbs if he wants, it's dropping below 147 which is going to make him weight drained. Just because he fights at both 154 and 147 safely does not mean he can fight below 147. That's a logical falicy. It's got nothing to do with a proper nutrition plan or anything like that, I'm sure De La Hoya had one of the worlds finest nutritionists set up his plan, there is no nutrition plan that can get a fighter to a weight to which he is physically unsuited and have him perform at his best. It's impossible, especially at Mosley's age and considering that he has not fought below 147 in 10 years.

As for you last point, fighters almost always decide on the most profitable fights rather than the most intelligent (relative to their prospects of winning) ones. Is it smart for Mosley to fight Pac at 142/144 regarding his chances for victory? No, it's not, but I'm sure it makes a lot of sense financially. However, as a boxing fan I'm not all that interested in Mosley's finances, I want to see the best fighters fight eachother in the most competitive and fair environments. If Pac doesn't think he can compete at 147 then that's fair enough, stay at 140 and fight Marquez or Mayweather, I have no problem with that. But making welter's fight at weights in which they are not suited in unfair to those fighters and the only reason they would do it is because of the gold-plated carrot dangling in front of their noses.

If Pacquiao beats Mosley at 147, which I think he potentially could, I will give him all the credit in the world. If he beats Mosley below 147 it's a tainted victory in my opinion because he would not be facing the best Shane Mosley.
IMO, Mosley would be Pacquiao's toughest challenge and I'm sure if the fight happens, it has a good chance to make the distance and a very challenging and exciting fight to watch. If Mosley were to steps into the ring at 160 vs Pacquiao at 148, Mosley has an even bigger (unfair) advantage, how does that meet your criteria? Roach wouldn't be doing right by Pacquiao to let that happen. Isn't that what everyone was saying would be the case when Pac fought DLH?

I see this as a difference of opinion. I feel that if a fighter cannot fight at any weight within the weightclass, he doesn't belong there. You guys appear to be on the other side of the coin on this one. i.e. Pac doesn't belong there. Hence we have the catchweight to even out the fight.

I don't believe, a catchweight of 145 or even 144 is going to drain him as you and Adam presuppose. (even with that expert opinion) If Mosley was forced to come down to 142, I could agree it's a bit much. Why, because his performance against Margarito was stellar at 147. I didn't see an ounce of weight drain in him in that fight. He fought Cotto at 146.25 in 2007, contrary to your early statement. I believe that all Roach is doing is lowering the handy cap against Mosley because he much bigger. What you guys are stating is just supposition based on a typical fighter which is a subjective opinion and not based on Mosley specific physiology or direct experience working with him.

My best guess is the fight happens at 145, possibly 144 if Mosley can't get Roach up any more, but it ain't going to happen at 42/43, and Roach already conceded 44 even stating it was negotiable.