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“He’s coming off a loss, but that was with a very long layoff, fighting maybe the best, fastest pound-for-pound fighter. I’m not going by that performance at all. I’m going by the old Shane Mosley, by the performance against Margarito. I’m fighting the same guy in the same venue. It’s definitely a very dangerous fight for me that I take very serious…I’m hoping I can do the same thing Floyd did. Floyd kept him at bay using his speed, reflexes, defense, and pot-shotting…I’m also sure my machismo will come out at one time or another,” stated former jr. middleweight champion Sergio Mora as he talked about his September 18 showdown with former champion Shane Mosley. Check it out!
MJ: It’s great to talk with you again, Sergio.
SM: Always great to be here.
MJ: Tell us how the Mosley fight came about.
SM: I had a meeting with Richard Schaefer about fighting July 31. When that fell through, they offered me the Pechanga fight on July 23 versus Candelo. I accepted and said that I just want to stay busy and hopefully get a big fight by September. They said that was the plan on their end, and they actually threw Shane Mosley’s name out there and asked me what I thought and if I could make the weight. I said it would be a good clash of styles for an exciting fight and of course I would take it. Given enough time, ten weeks, I can make 154 pounds. I got the call the following week and with my manager, Cameron Dunkin, agreed on all the terms and worked out the kinks. I signed it and it’s sealed.
MJ: Since the fight is September 18, you won’t get any tune-ups?
SM: I wanted to keep the July 23 fight vs J.C. Candelo, but Richard Schaefer said that Shane Mosley would not want to accept the fight with me fighting on the 23rd because of the risk of an injury or cut. If I pulled out of that fight, he would agree to it; and obviously I want the bigger fight, the bigger arena, the bigger date. I agreed.
MJ: This is going to be a pay-per-view fight, right?
SM: It’s a pay-per-view fight because HBO decided to pass on it. They wanted Shane to fight Berto, with Berto being an HBO fighter. Shane didn’t agree with that, because they wanted a 50-50 split. That fight fell through and they offered me the fight. I took it in a second, of course.
MJ: So it will be an independent pay-per-view?
SM: It’ll be an independent pay-per-view in the Staples Center, and they’re hoping to get Victor Ortiz, Saul Alvarez, and Daniel Ponce De Leon on the undercard. They’re promoting it pretty well in Los Angeles; they’ll be having weeklong festivities for Mexican Independence Day and it should be exciting. We’ll be having a press conference July 31 and August 2 in L.A.
MJ: How do you feel about fighting Mosley, as far as what he brings to the table? How different will your preparation be? What is your frame of mind going into this fight?
SM: I’m fighting a legend, a Hall-of-Famer. I’m fighting a guy that never quits, one who has never been knocked out. He has speed and power and can take a great shot. He’s experienced and a body puncher. He’s the full package. He’s coming off a loss, but that was with a very long layoff, fighting maybe the best, fastest pound-for-pound fighter. I’m not going by that performance at all. I’m going by the old Shane Mosley, by the performance against Margarito. I’m fighting the same guy in the same venue. It’s definitely a very dangerous fight for me that I take very serious.
MJ: Did you see anything in the Mayweather fight that you can exploit against Mosley?
SM: I’m hoping I can do the same thing Floyd did. Floyd kept him at bay using his speed, reflexes, defense, and pot-shotting. It turned out to be a boring fight after Mosley had him hurt. I really don’t like to be a part of boring fights; I like to engage and get the crowd into it. Mosley always comes to knock out every opponent. I really love when people try to take me out. It makes me better and more on my game. I think it will be a more exciting fight and I will take points from Mayweather, but I’m not Mayweather. I’m also sure my machismo will come out at one time or another.
MJ: Now I’m sure you have to think life is good with Golden Boy.
SM: They’ve done exactly what they said they were going to do. They promised me back in December, when I signed with them, that they’d keep me busy, 3-4 times per year on big undercards. They said that when the opportunity came on a May 5 or September 18, they were going to get me in a main event versus a name fighter. They kept their word.
MJ: Are you planning to stay at 154 or is this just a one-fight cameo?
SM: I’m only fighting at 154 for big fights. It’s very difficult for me to make that weight. I need ten weeks to make that weight. Is it worth it? Of course. I’ll bring in my strength trainer and nutritionist and we’ll make that weight confidently, but 160 is my natural weight.
MJ: What do you think of the landscape at 160 right now?
SM: It’s all over the place. I think they have a lot of European champions who don’t fight each other. Sturm and Sylvester are both world champions who don’t come to the States and don’t fight each other. Then you get Kelly Pavlik, who gets beat by Sergio Martinez, which I knew was going to happen. Now you have Martinez, who basically fights at middleweight and junior middleweight. He has his choice as well. Other than that, there are no real names, no real value. I’m not saying there are no dangerous fights, just no value and names of recognition. Right now, junior middleweight is the division that holds more value.
MJ: I know it’s premature, but are there any other names floating out there for the next big fight? Maybe Margarito?
SM: Anything is possible. I’m only thinking about Shane Mosley, but if I take care of business the way I plan, I’ll fight anybody at 154 or 160 that makes sense. There’s Margarito, Martinez, Williams, Spinks, Angulo, and Kirkland when he comes out of jail. There are a lot of names at 154. There are fewer names at 160, but if we can make something happen on foreign soil, I’m willing to go and do that.
MJ: With all the talk about James Toney going over to MMA, what are your thoughts on that?
SM: I wish him the best, but I just think it’s silly. They are two different sports and I think they’re basically just exploiting James Toney, so Dana White can make a point and say that UFC is better than boxing. It’s silly, because you have two guys who are over the age and past their prime. This is going to be a wrestling session. James Toney will annihilate any MMA fighter in standup and any UFC fighter will annihilate any boxer on the floor. It’s apples and oranges, but I wish Toney the best of luck.
MJ: Do you think this can even help his marketability and brand name coming back over into boxing?
SM: No, I don’t think so. If he makes a good stand and knocks out a guy, maybe he can. Maybe he would just stay in the UFC and fight another guy. I really don’t think it’s going to work out. The blend is never going to be there.
MJ: Do you think he should have made his appearance in a reality show, similar to what you did?
SM: 100% agreed. I think if he would have done this in a reality show, like The Ultimate Fighter, with his big character, big personality, and big mouth, plus he can fight – he’s a future Hall-of-Famer because he can fight and market himself – and you put him on a reality show with lower level guys, of course he has a chance. But he’s fighting one of the best UFC fighters ever in Couture. I don’t think it’s going to be good for him or good for their sport or ours.
MJ: It was great talking to you, Sergio. Is there anything you’d like to say in closing to the fans?
SM: I’d like to continue thanking my loyal fans and supporters and everyone at the Snake Pit. It’s going to be an exciting night on the 18th of September. Styles make fights and there’s no quit in either one of us. I think someone is going out on their shield and I’m not planning on it being me. It should be a great night.
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“He’s coming off a loss, but that was with a very long layoff, fighting maybe the best, fastest pound-for-pound fighter. I’m not going by that performance at all. I’m going by the old Shane Mosley, by the performance against Margarito. I’m fighting the same guy in the same venue. It’s definitely a very dangerous fight for me that I take very serious…I’m hoping I can do the same thing Floyd did. Floyd kept him at bay using his speed, reflexes, defense, and pot-shotting…I’m also sure my machismo will come out at one time or another,” stated former jr. middleweight champion Sergio Mora as he talked about his September 18 showdown with former champion Shane Mosley. Check it out!
MJ: It’s great to talk with you again, Sergio.
SM: Always great to be here.
MJ: Tell us how the Mosley fight came about.
SM: I had a meeting with Richard Schaefer about fighting July 31. When that fell through, they offered me the Pechanga fight on July 23 versus Candelo. I accepted and said that I just want to stay busy and hopefully get a big fight by September. They said that was the plan on their end, and they actually threw Shane Mosley’s name out there and asked me what I thought and if I could make the weight. I said it would be a good clash of styles for an exciting fight and of course I would take it. Given enough time, ten weeks, I can make 154 pounds. I got the call the following week and with my manager, Cameron Dunkin, agreed on all the terms and worked out the kinks. I signed it and it’s sealed.
MJ: Since the fight is September 18, you won’t get any tune-ups?
SM: I wanted to keep the July 23 fight vs J.C. Candelo, but Richard Schaefer said that Shane Mosley would not want to accept the fight with me fighting on the 23rd because of the risk of an injury or cut. If I pulled out of that fight, he would agree to it; and obviously I want the bigger fight, the bigger arena, the bigger date. I agreed.
MJ: This is going to be a pay-per-view fight, right?
SM: It’s a pay-per-view fight because HBO decided to pass on it. They wanted Shane to fight Berto, with Berto being an HBO fighter. Shane didn’t agree with that, because they wanted a 50-50 split. That fight fell through and they offered me the fight. I took it in a second, of course.
MJ: So it will be an independent pay-per-view?
SM: It’ll be an independent pay-per-view in the Staples Center, and they’re hoping to get Victor Ortiz, Saul Alvarez, and Daniel Ponce De Leon on the undercard. They’re promoting it pretty well in Los Angeles; they’ll be having weeklong festivities for Mexican Independence Day and it should be exciting. We’ll be having a press conference July 31 and August 2 in L.A.
MJ: How do you feel about fighting Mosley, as far as what he brings to the table? How different will your preparation be? What is your frame of mind going into this fight?
SM: I’m fighting a legend, a Hall-of-Famer. I’m fighting a guy that never quits, one who has never been knocked out. He has speed and power and can take a great shot. He’s experienced and a body puncher. He’s the full package. He’s coming off a loss, but that was with a very long layoff, fighting maybe the best, fastest pound-for-pound fighter. I’m not going by that performance at all. I’m going by the old Shane Mosley, by the performance against Margarito. I’m fighting the same guy in the same venue. It’s definitely a very dangerous fight for me that I take very serious.
MJ: Did you see anything in the Mayweather fight that you can exploit against Mosley?
SM: I’m hoping I can do the same thing Floyd did. Floyd kept him at bay using his speed, reflexes, defense, and pot-shotting. It turned out to be a boring fight after Mosley had him hurt. I really don’t like to be a part of boring fights; I like to engage and get the crowd into it. Mosley always comes to knock out every opponent. I really love when people try to take me out. It makes me better and more on my game. I think it will be a more exciting fight and I will take points from Mayweather, but I’m not Mayweather. I’m also sure my machismo will come out at one time or another.
MJ: Now I’m sure you have to think life is good with Golden Boy.
SM: They’ve done exactly what they said they were going to do. They promised me back in December, when I signed with them, that they’d keep me busy, 3-4 times per year on big undercards. They said that when the opportunity came on a May 5 or September 18, they were going to get me in a main event versus a name fighter. They kept their word.
MJ: Are you planning to stay at 154 or is this just a one-fight cameo?
SM: I’m only fighting at 154 for big fights. It’s very difficult for me to make that weight. I need ten weeks to make that weight. Is it worth it? Of course. I’ll bring in my strength trainer and nutritionist and we’ll make that weight confidently, but 160 is my natural weight.
MJ: What do you think of the landscape at 160 right now?
SM: It’s all over the place. I think they have a lot of European champions who don’t fight each other. Sturm and Sylvester are both world champions who don’t come to the States and don’t fight each other. Then you get Kelly Pavlik, who gets beat by Sergio Martinez, which I knew was going to happen. Now you have Martinez, who basically fights at middleweight and junior middleweight. He has his choice as well. Other than that, there are no real names, no real value. I’m not saying there are no dangerous fights, just no value and names of recognition. Right now, junior middleweight is the division that holds more value.
MJ: I know it’s premature, but are there any other names floating out there for the next big fight? Maybe Margarito?
SM: Anything is possible. I’m only thinking about Shane Mosley, but if I take care of business the way I plan, I’ll fight anybody at 154 or 160 that makes sense. There’s Margarito, Martinez, Williams, Spinks, Angulo, and Kirkland when he comes out of jail. There are a lot of names at 154. There are fewer names at 160, but if we can make something happen on foreign soil, I’m willing to go and do that.
MJ: With all the talk about James Toney going over to MMA, what are your thoughts on that?
SM: I wish him the best, but I just think it’s silly. They are two different sports and I think they’re basically just exploiting James Toney, so Dana White can make a point and say that UFC is better than boxing. It’s silly, because you have two guys who are over the age and past their prime. This is going to be a wrestling session. James Toney will annihilate any MMA fighter in standup and any UFC fighter will annihilate any boxer on the floor. It’s apples and oranges, but I wish Toney the best of luck.
MJ: Do you think this can even help his marketability and brand name coming back over into boxing?
SM: No, I don’t think so. If he makes a good stand and knocks out a guy, maybe he can. Maybe he would just stay in the UFC and fight another guy. I really don’t think it’s going to work out. The blend is never going to be there.
MJ: Do you think he should have made his appearance in a reality show, similar to what you did?
SM: 100% agreed. I think if he would have done this in a reality show, like The Ultimate Fighter, with his big character, big personality, and big mouth, plus he can fight – he’s a future Hall-of-Famer because he can fight and market himself – and you put him on a reality show with lower level guys, of course he has a chance. But he’s fighting one of the best UFC fighters ever in Couture. I don’t think it’s going to be good for him or good for their sport or ours.
MJ: It was great talking to you, Sergio. Is there anything you’d like to say in closing to the fans?
SM: I’d like to continue thanking my loyal fans and supporters and everyone at the Snake Pit. It’s going to be an exciting night on the 18th of September. Styles make fights and there’s no quit in either one of us. I think someone is going out on their shield and I’m not planning on it being me. It should be a great night.
