"That would be the best victory at this time," Mosley told reporters at the MGM Grand, the site of Saturday’s fight. "If I fight Pacquiao and beat him, there will probably have to be another one, because people won’t believe it."
Mosley has yet to be knocked out during his professional career, but his comment was a clear admission that despite a record of 46-6-1 with 39 knockouts, including two victories over compatriot Oscar de la Hoya, he will be a heavy underdog against the Filipino Pacquiao.
That reflects the fact that the 39-year-old Mosley’s record is a pedestrian 8-6-1 since the end of 2001 and his last fight in Las Vegas was a comprehensive points defeat against fellow American Floyd Mayweather one year ago.
In that fight, Mosley rocked Mayweather badly in the second round but could not capitalize and lost every round after. But he insisted the difference in styles between the two makes the Mayweather fight meaningless when evaluating Saturday’s fight.
"Mayweather doesn’t throw a lot of punches, but he throws them at the right time," he said. "Manny throws more punches and he throws them at any time. That style I believe is going to be more suitable to me."
Pacquiao, 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts, who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, agreed that dismissing Mosley’s chances was a mistake.
"It’s unfair to him," Pacquiao said on Tuesday, adding that Mosley has "good hand speed, good foot speed, and of course he’s strong. You cannot underestimate Mosley."
