Boxing legend Shane Mosley is Manila-bound

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing legend “Sugar” Shane Mosley is headed to Manila to arrange particulars for a Typhoon Yolanda benefit dinner, tentatively scheduled for May 24.

The retired former three-division world champion is expected to arrive Tuesday from Los Angeles International Airport, Mosley told enterprising video journalist Elie Seckbach on Sunday afternoon as he was making his way towards the terminal.

“I’m going to the Philippines for the first time to bring boxing back to Asia,” said Mosley, 42, who retired after his bout with Anthony Mundine in November with a record of 47-9-1 (39 knockouts). “It’s very important for all of us, all the fighters to be there, to help the victims that cannot afford to have that type of support and for us as champions to come over there and to help is such a great honor and a great thing to do for the people.”

The story was first reported by Philippine Star columnist Joaquin Henson, who wrote that he had spoken with an unnamed source who said Mosley would lead a group of boxing personalities in organizing “The United Boxing Relief Fund,” which would “use their time, talent and resources to provide assistance to communities throughout Asia when catastrophic natural disasters strike.”

Henson’s source says that Mosley would be joined by San Francisco-based lawyer Sydney Hall, British boxing promoter and business agent Germaine Gillies. Hall is credited with helping Manny Pacquiao during his early years in the United States, while Hobson has promoted former IBF light heavyweight titleholder Clinton Woods and current IBF bantamweight titleholder Stuart Hall. Gillies, who was born and raised in Baguio, is involved in wealth management and entertainment production, and has represented NBA stars Kobe Bryant, Derek Fischer and Lamar Odom.

Mosley mentioned Manny Pacquiao, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and Fil-Am four-division champion Nonito Donaire Jr. as guests, while Henson’s source mentioned Roberto Duran, Robert Guerrero, Zab Judah and Amir Khan as also having been invited.

Filipino sports fans may be familiar with the Pomona, California native Mosley from his 2011 bout with Pacquiao, where he lost a decision. Mosley turned professional in 1993, won the IBF lightweight championship in 1997 before moving up to welterweight and defeating Oscar de la Hoya for the WBC title in 2000. Mosley would defeat de la Hoya again in 2003 for the WBC and WBA junior middleweight titles.

Other notable Mosley opponents include Fernando Vargas, Antonio Margarito, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto and Ronald “Winky” Wright.

Requests for comment from Hobson and Mosley by Rappler were not immediately answered, which could be due to the principles being in transit. – Rappler.com

Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.