Sugar Shane Mosley will fight Canelo Alvarez on May 5 as part of an HBO pay-per-view card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Leading up to the bout, the 40-year-old boxer is sharing weekly thoughts and training updates.
Question: How do you respond to those who say your speed and power are diminished from your years at the top of the pound-for-pound list? Have you talked to or analyzed other fighters who have had success into their 40s?
Mosley: "At 45, George Foreman won back the heavyweight title that he had lost roughly 20 years prior. Everyone thought (Michael) Moorer was going to take it, but he didn’t. Foreman did. What about when Larry Holmes beat Ray Mercer at 42? The idea that a fighter suddenly loses skills they’ve had for years isn’t the case at all.
"My experience and skill and knowledge of who I am as a fighter are things that no one can take away from me. I have fought some of the best boxers in the world, including defeating Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito, among others. I know I am the same fighter I am today that I was in each and every single one of those matches. My speed and power are still there and stronger than ever. In fact, I would argue that at my age, I am more ready to fight knowing what it takes to win.
"You don’t just suddenly lose ability when you turn 40. I hate to use a cliché, but (with) age does come wisdom. And wisdom is more important in boxing than you can imagine. People forget about the mental part of the fights. That’s critical. In training, it becomes less about analyzing other boxers and more about studying myself, knowing myself, what I am capable of and what makes me a better fighter.
"Speed and power doesn’t diminish but instead evolves and matures, and that’s what will be displayed. Viewers can look forward to seeing that on May 5."
