Mosley seen as underdog despite reach, height advantage over Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines -- Will Shane Mosley be the next member of Manny Pacquiao’s lucky loser club?

The answer will be known on May 7 when they tangle at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A former three-division world champion, Mosley has been tagged a huge 1-9 underdog despite his reach, height and weight advantage over the eight-division champion and pound-for-pound king Pacquiao.

At 39, Mosley said he still had the tools to snap Pacquiao’s string of 12 victories since 2006 and avoid joining Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito in the lengthening row of the Filipino’s famous victims.

Although both were already well-off when they fought Pacquiao, De La Hoya and Hatton ended up with substantial retirement pays after their knockout defeats.

Cotto suffered the same fate, but lasted up to the 12th round, when the referee stopped the lopsided bout.

Clottey and Margarito drew the biggest paycheck of their ring careers for going the distance with Pacquiao.

The 5-foot-9 Mosley, who lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and drew with Sergio Mora in his last two fights, will be the rangiest fighter Pacquiao will face. The American’s 74-inch reach is nearly seven inches longer than the 66 1/2 of the 5-6 Pacquiao.

Mosley has also fought five times at 154 pounds, while Pacquiao has never climbed the ring heavier than 149.

Mosley is guaranteed $5 million plus a share of the pay-per-view revenues. Pacquiao is assured of at least $15 million. (report from Roy Luarca, Inquirer Sports)