Mayweather agrees to fight Mosley

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose  planned superfight with Manny Pacquiao fell apart last month  over drug testing stipulations, will fight Shane Mosley on May  1, the boxer’s promoter said yesterday.

The two fighters had agreed to Olympic-style drug testing,  a major sticking point that killed talks for a proposed fight  between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Promotions  said in a statement.

“This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn’t going to  waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked  to fight Shane immediately,” six-time world champion Mayweather  said in the statement.

“I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I  only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the  best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat  me.”

Mayweather (40-0), 32, retired in 2008 but returned to the  ring last September with an easy decision over Juan Manuel  Marquez after an 18-month break.

The 38-year-old Mosley last fought in January 2009 when he  earned a ninth-round stoppage against Antonio Margarito to win  the welterweight world title for the third time.

“I have always wanted to fight Floyd and now it is finally  coming true,” said Mosley. “I am already in great shape and  ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and  better than he is. I will have no problem beating him.”

Five-time champion Mosley (46-5) signed the deal last  Friday for the fight to be held in Las Vegas.

Filipino Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title  against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on  March 13.