Mosley at peace as battle nears

PASADENA, Calif. -- There seems to be something different about Shane Mosley.

His smile seemed bigger and brighter than usual.

Maybe it's the excitement that's building as the 38-year-old WBA welterweight champion prepares to fight for the first time in more than 15 months, facing undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden.

Perhaps it was the new huge Hawaiian Warrior tattoo hat took three days to create that now covers most of Mosley's left shoulder t.

Most likely what was different was that Mosley seemed to be at peace with himself as he prepares for what he claims is the biggest fight of his illustrious career.

"I'm definitely happy with my life," Mosley said at the Classic Kickboxing gym Monday as he took a day's hiatus from his serious training at Big Bear Lake, Calif., to talk about the upcoming fight. "I'm training hard. I'm training smart. Everything's good."

Even the six random drug tests he has taken, including two blood tests, all of which have come back clean, haven't fazed him.

Mosley, a five-time world champion who is 46-5 with 39 knockouts, appeared to be in optimum shape as his trainer, Naazim Richardson, put him through his paces Monday during a 40-minute media workout. Mosley looked strong and quick.

His punches had a snap to them that was reminiscent of 10 years ago when he beat Oscar De La Hoya to become the world junior middleweight champion.

The fact he hasn't fought since Jan. 24, 2009, when he demolished Antonio Margarito in a ninth-round technical knockout, didn't seem to concern him.

"I live in the gym," said Mosley, who was scheduled to fight on Jan. 30 against Andre Berto but never got the chance. Berto pulled out two weeks before that fight after an earthquake rocked his native Haiti.

Berto, a Haitian-American, said he was too emotionally distraught to fight.

"I don't mind," Mosley said of the longer-than-anticipated layoff. "This is the fight that I really wanted."

Richardson said he is worried about Mosley's lack of ring activity. He has fought just twice since losing a close 12-round decision to Miguel Cotto on Nov. 10, 2007.

"That rust is a big concern," Richardson said. "We won't know until May 1."

But Mosley said staying in the gym has been the key to preparing for Mayweather, who is 40-0 with 25 knockouts.

"I've stayed sharp," he said. "I've had time to work on the game plan. It's allowed me to concentrate, and I'm going to be more than ready."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.