INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley says Manny Pacquiao is assured of a lucrative payday if they battle each other very soon.

Interviewed by the Inquirer, Mosley said that the Filipino ring superstar stands to earn at least $20 million (about P900 million) if the reigning pound-for-pound king chooses the American fighter as his next foe.

“I’m confident he’ll make more money fighting me instead of (WBO welterweight champion Miguel) Cotto,” said Mosley. “That (Pacquiao-Cotto) fight is only big if they watch it in Puerto Rico, New York and the Philippines.

“With me, you have the whole world watching the fight. My fan base is worldwide.”

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum has been pushing for a Pacquiao-Cotto bout in November. Several reports said that Pacquiao may earn between $10 million and $12 million if he chooses to fight Cotto.

“I know Pacquiao is ready to fight but the only problem is Bob Arum,” said Mosley. “I understand Manny has to make the right decisions and for me, the fights that I want are the fights the fans want.

“This is not about the money. It’s about the legacy, it’s about fighting the best and be considered the best.”

Mosley, a former world champion in three divisions with a 46-5-1 (39 KOs) record, said he has fought the best fighters of his time, including Pacquiao victim Oscar De La Hoya.

In a separate telephone interview from his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, trainer Freddie Roach expressed surprise why Mosley is desperately seeking a fight against his prized ward.

“Mosley has made a lot of statements and he came to my gym twice,” said Roach. “He asked me why Manny won’t fight him. I told him, ‘We’ll fight you, but can you make 144 pounds?’ He said no. And I said, ‘If you can make 144, then we’ll talk about it.’”

Roach said that Cotto has the inside track as formal talks are ongoing between the Puerto Rican’s camp and Team Pacquiao.

“I’m not worried about Mosley,” added Roach. “The thing is we’re negotiating with Cotto right now and that’s the fight that we’ll get us the most money and the best deal.”