Shane Mosley discussed Andre Berto, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and the upcoming Cotto-Pacquiao mega fight in a recent interview. (Photo via www.boxnews.com.ua)

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Shane Mosley sat down with 411mania.com's Ramon Aranda to discuss his future in boxing, the Cotto-Pacquiao fight, Andre Berto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and more. It was a pretty interesting interview, and Mosley's got a lot to say these days.

The good news about Mosley and Berto:

411mania – Well we know you two have been going back and forth in terms of the contract and we saw that you tweeted that Berto has signed on; so is this fight now official?

Shane – I believe so! I was informed that he signed the contract so it's on. We'll fight on January 30 at Mandalay Bay and I'm pretty excited about that.

Hooray! The fight is (almost surely) on!

But then the bad:

411mania – Will this be on HBO or PPV?

Shane – You know at this point I think all my fights will be on PPV. Berto I think is PPV material...we can fight on PPV and I'm a PPV fighter but we can do either or – I just want to fight.

Mosley's last pay-per-view fight was against Miguel Cotto in 2007. Since then he's fought Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito on HBO Championship Boxing. Margarito-Mosley was a bigger fight than Mosley-Berto would be. I don't mean to diminish Shane's accomplishments, because the guy's one of my favorite fighters, period. I love watching him fight. But Mosley-Berto isn't a pay-per-view fight. Neither of them are major draws. Berto's name is essentially unknown to the public at large.

Mosley also discussed his frustration with the Mayweather situation:

411mania – How frustrating was it for you, especially after that win to be on the sidelines for so long? You tried getting the fight with Pacquiao and that didn't work out. You tried calling Mayweather out but he doesn't seem to want a piece of you, or anyone else at welterweight for that matter, so did you have any other alternatives planned out?

Shane – It's been frustrating. When I was coming up, I was forced to fight certain people. I couldn't be like, 'OK I'm a welterweight...who's the lightweight champ right now? Let me fight him.' I couldn't do that! I tried to fight Arturo Gatti and they [HBO] declined that one. I tried Baldomir and they declined it too. They declined all these guys as they wouldn't pay enough for me to fight certain fighters and they let Floyd fight them and I wasn't allowed to and I didn't understand that. And I don't get why HBO and these other networks are not forcing Mayweather to fight real fights. Why do they let him fight these smaller guys? I don't get it!

And on Cotto-Pacquiao:

411mania– Since we're talking about the welterweight division, there's a pretty big match-up next Saturday night in Las Vegas...who's your pick?

Shane – Hmm...I think Cotto's a real welterweight and I think he's probably going to take this. I think Pacquiao's had a lot of problems in his camp and I'd be surprised if he does a number on Cotto which is still very possible. Pacquiao's a very good fighter and he's done some remarkable things – he's come up from 106 to 147 pounds but I think this is where it stops. Cotto's too big for him and I think he'll be able to wear him down like he did with Zab Judah and Carlos Quintana; two good welterweight southpaws.

The full interview is very much worth reading, as Shane discusses how much longer he plans to fight, the future of his son in boxing, the Margarito and Mayorga fights, and more.

Michigan boxer Troy Rowland gets a crack at the big time on November 14. For now, though, he's focused on his hospitalized brother. (Photo via media.mlive.com)

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The November 14 card main evented by Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao has had plenty of camp drama in the main event. But nobody on the card that night is having as rough a time preparing as undercard fighter Troy Rowland, who comes in as a heavy underdog and perceived tomato can against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Rowland's camp itself has gone fine. But more importantly, his brother Shane is currently hospitalized and in a coma, suffering from the H1N1 virus, reports David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press.

Troy Rowland has been told several times by different people not to visit, that there's nothing he can do. Yet, he ignored the advice, donned a hospital mask and visited anyway.

"Everybody says, 'Stay away, stay away, stay away.' But he's my brother," he said.

...

Troy Rowland called John Mason on Saturday night and told the trainer he would not train Monday. In seven years as a professional, it was the first time anyone in Team Rowland remembered the fighter cancelling a training session.

Mason didn't know the severity of the situation then. But he sensed it.

"I listen to Troy and I can tell how he feels," Mason said. "I knew he wasn't right."

This, more than the upcoming fight, is Troy Rowland's reality right now. A win over Chavez would be massive for his career -- a huge break. He's been perceived as a weak, hand-picked opponent, but bigger upsets than Rowland over Chavez have happened for sure.

I can't help but root for Troy, and I'll admit that. He's a Michigan fighter, and now I'm even further hoping he pulls it out. Best wishes to his brother and the rest of his family.

Cuban prospect/contender Odlanier Solis wants a shot at Vitali Klitschko. (Photo via www.notifight.com)

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In a press release sent out by Arena Box, Odlanier Solis says he's confident he's the man to knock off WBC heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko.

Solis, who was announced as the No. 3 contender by the WBC, is also convinced he's better than both of the men rated ahead of him in the sanctioning body's latest ridiculous rankings. Ray Austin (28-4-4, 18 KO) and Oleg Maskaev (36-6, 27 KO) have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2, and will possibly fight to determine Klitschko's mandatory.

"I am very grateful that my merits are appreciated the way they are," said Solis. "Still being recognized as the #3 heavyweight in the world is not what I turned pro for. I will continue to work hard to prove that I am the no. 1. Actually I am convinced that I could beat the two guys ahead of me on one night. I will be heavyweight champion of the world – no matter who I have to fight and beat to get there!"

He also added this regarding Klitschko: "Everybody who sees Klitschko as the best should just wait until I’m done with him. I will let everybody know that he is only human, too, and can be knocked down like every other fighter in the world. I will continue going after him until I am the No. 1 contender and he cannot avoid fighting me."

I generally would agree with Solis on this point, maybe not on him beating Vitali (though a focused, in-shape Solis would have as good a shot as just about anybody), but on Austin and Maskaev for sure. Maskaev's chin isn't so great and the last time we saw Austin really step up in competition, Wladimir Klitschko bashed him without even throwing a single right hand. I'd be much more interested in Vitali-Solis than Vitali against either Austin or Maskaev.

Mike Tyson's appearance in Belfast has been met with resistance by women's rights groups in the city. They are very vocal about Tyson's past as a convicted rapist. (Photo via blog.newsok.com)

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Mike Tyson is currently in Belfast for a personal appearance, and though many across the world have seemed to forgive, forget or just ignore some of the former heavyweight champion's past transgressions, this is a reminder that not everyone is willing to do so.

Women's rights groups are loudly protesting Tyson's appearance as Mike is, as we all know, a convicted rapist.

Eileen Calder of the Rape Crisis Centre in Belfast criticised [Barry] McGuigan for agreeing to take part.

"Barry needs to hang his head in shame," she said. "I have always been a huge fan of his, I even considered naming one of my children after him. He has done so much great work for charities and integrated education. I can’t believe he has agreed to take part in this."

Ms Calder said she felt sick when she heard Tyson would be visiting Belfast.

"Believe me, if this was the other way around, he would not even be allowed into the country. The United States does not allow convicted rapists in, they are interested in protecting their citizens. I would appeal to boxing fans to look beyond his boxing to what he has done — he is a convicted rapist."

Recently, Eric Morel had a planned fight with Hozumi Hasegawa canceled for what Ms. Calder is talking about here. Morel was convicted of statutory rape a few years back and Japanese officials wouldn't grant him entrance to the country for the fight.

Annie Campbell, director of the Women’s Aid Federation, Northern Ireland, added: "We are disgusted that this man who is a rapist and has committed domestic violence has been invited to appear at a flagship venue in Belfast. It raises serious questions of credibility for those who are on the city council."

A council spokeswoman had this to say in response:

"The booking is from a private promoter who is hiring the hall. Belfast City Council does not have a policy that would prevent this event taking place, as this could be construed as a form of censorship."

I found this interesting because of the way Tyson is now treated by most American fans at least, which is like I said, with forgiveness or whatever you might want to call it. But Tyson's past is very real and not everyone is going to be so quick to just say, "Aw, he's changed." I agree that Tyson surely isn't going to Belfast to rape or assault anybody, but he's going to meet resistance like this sometimes. It will never go away.

Amanda Rodrigues, the widow of Arturo Gatti, failed in a bid for $150,000 of Gatti's money in Montreal. She received $40,000, but will pursue further action.

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Amanda Rodrigues, the 23-year old widow of Arturo Gatti once suspected in his untimely death, failed in her bid for $150,000 in a Montreal court. From The Canadian Press:

The widow of late boxing champion Arturo Gatti has been awarded $40,000 to cover legal fees and child-care costs, but her fight with his family over his sizable fortune looks set to go the distance.

The sum falls far short of the $150,000 advance that Amanda Rodrigues was seeking from Gatti's estate.

And in another blow to the 23-year-old Brazilian native, Superior Court Justice Paul Chaput concluded in his ruling Thursday that custody of the couple's dog is not an urgent matter for the time being.

Chaput awarded Rodrigues $30,000 to cover legal fees and $10,000 in eventual child-care costs for their son, Arturo Jr.

But the stakes in the bitter dispute are way higher - as in $6 milion, the estimated worth of Gatti's estate.

She also will receive $2,500 per month to care for the couple's son, who is roughly a year old.

This is such a sad case all around. It's as bitter as anything could be. The Gatti family is still waiting on results from a second autopsy they wanted performed, as they are as yet unwilling to believe that Gatti committed suicide as has been ruled.

Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi's December 12 rematch is official. Diaz won a controversial decision in August. (Photo by Will Hart, via www.hbo.com)

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As had been all but officially reported by HBO or the promoters, the proposed December 12 rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi is now 100% on. HBO made an official announcement on their Facebook page earlier today. As we discussed just a couple of days ago, the fight will be held at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Ticket information has yet to be released.

December 12 will be a busy day for boxing. Along with the Diaz-Malignaggi rematch on HBO (paired with Victor Ortiz-Antonio Diaz), Showtime will be presenting a show featuring Timothy Bradley-Lamont Peterson and Vic Darchinyan-Tomas Rojas. One also figures that someone will pick up Vitali Klitschko-Kevin Johnson for American TV. There have been rumblings that with Kelly Pavlik pulling out on his December 5 date, HBO may have the money necessary to grab Klitschko-Johnson and put it on tape delay with the Diaz-Malignaggi show. Klitschko's September fight with Cristobal Arreola did HBO's best ratings of 2009.

As for Diaz-Malignaggi, I'm glad it all got worked out and both sides were able to be placated enough for it to happen. Chicago is a neutral site so that won't play into anything this time. The August fight generated far more interest than anyone expected, and that was even before the controversy on the scorecards. The fight did what was reported as a surprisingly high TV rating, and that was before it became the talk of boxing for a couple weeks.

I also don't really know who to favor in the rematch. Without meaning to insult either of them, both are limited fighters, and their styles make for a tough fight to call. I scored the first bout for Malignaggi, but could I have seen it scored for Diaz? Sure, plenty of very smart folks felt Juan won (though nobody agreed with the 118-110 card). It was a competitive, entertaining fight, and a rematch is deserved.

For Paulie, he can attempt to right what he sees as a wrong, and get his career fully back on track. A clear loss in August would have really hurt him. For Juan, it's a chance to prove that there's no controversy, to clear the air with a win and shut Paulie's mouth. Pretty basic storylines, but effective, too.

John Ruiz faces Adnan Serin in the co-feature to Valuev-Haye this Saturday. "The Quite Man" says he's not the same fighter he used to be. (Photo via www.boxnews.com.ua)

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While Valuev-Haye is the big attraction in Germany on Saturday, longtime heavyweight contender and former titlist John Ruiz will be in action, and should he win as expected, is next in line to face the Valuev-Haye winner.

Ruiz does have a preference, he says, and as Teddy Atlas kept yammering on about last night from Camp Lejuene, it all comes down to "location, location, location."

"I’m 0-3 in Germany and 6-0 fighting in England," Ruiz joked, "so I guess I’d rather fight Haye."

Ruiz dropped two close and controversial decisions to Valuev in the past.

"The Quiet Man" (who ironically always has something to say) also offers a bit of hope to American pay-per-view buyers who probably groaned when they saw that he was the main co-feature on the card.

"I’m very happy that my fight is going to be on pay per view in North America. My fans and media there haven’t been able to watch my last few fights because they weren’t televised there. They think I still fight the same way, but I’m much more aggressive, and now they’ll be able to see how much I’ve improved. I’ve been working hard the past three months with my new head trainer, Miguel Diaz, and assistant Richie Sandoval. Somewhere along the line, I got away from the basics, and we’ve been working in that area. I had been leaning in and landing too close to my opponent, which resulted in a lot of clutching and grabbing. We’ve improved my style; I’m more aggressive now, moving more and getting hit less."

Having seen some of Ruiz's recent fights, I will join the small collective that will tell you that he's not joshin' about this. Ruiz has been much more aggressive lately and isn't quite the bore he was during his peak. He's also made about 95% valid points in his recent complaints about the WBA and other things in boxing that have really been grinding his gears. Say what you will about Ruiz, but he doesn't come into arguments without some real ammunition.

I am still not thrilled that I'll be seeing John Ruiz's tune-up fight for part of my $25 PPV bill, but I'm going to try to put aside the old biases and be open-minded.

Lou Filippo: 1925-2009

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Lou Filippo died in Downey, California on November 2 after suffering a stroke. He was 83 years old.

Filippo had a long, distinguished career in and around boxing. He was a top amateur in California during the 1940s, and was a Navy boxing champion when he enlisted during World War II. After over 250 amateur fights, he turned pro in 1947. Four days before his professional debut, he was cut during sparring. Cuts would plague his pro career, eventually essentially ending it in 1957

His final two fights were his most famous, a somewhat notorious back-to-back no-contest and loss to Carlos Ortiz. In the no-contest on March 2, 1957, Filippo was originally declared the winner by disqualification for hitting Filippo after the bell sounded to end the ninth round. Boxing historian Don Fraser discusses what happened:

Boxing historian Don Fraser of the California Boxing Hall of Fame recalled that Filippo was originally awarded a victory in the first bout against Ortiz after being hit after the bell, but a Times reporter questioned a member of the California State Athletic Commission about that ruling, and the no-contest decision was invoked.

Fraser said about 40 gamblers who were set to lose money on the Filippo victory then forced the ring announcer to re-enter the Legion Stadium ring in Hollywood and announce the ruling so they could avoid the payoffs.

Filippo lost the next fight to Ortiz about a month later, and retired at 23-9-3 with eight knockouts and one no-contest. But he wouldn't leave boxing.

He managed some and trained some, but gained further fame as a judge and referee. He officiated over 85 championship fights, and was the judge who scored Hagler-Leonard for Hagler (115-113), and also scored Oscar de la Hoya-Shane Mosley I (Mosley 116-112).

Filippo was also involved in the first five Rocky movies. He was a referee in Rocky II through Rocky V, and served as a fight announcer in Rocky. He also played a referee on "Fantasy Island," "The Fall Guy," "The A-Team" and "Moonlighting," and in the films City Heat and Knockout.

Lou Filippo's Career Record at BoxRec.com

The brand-new and massive Cowboys Stadium in Texas could be the host of a fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao next March. Top Rank has had preliminary talks. (Photo via www.the33tv.com)

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Don't get too excited, because it's all preliminary and we all know the roadblocks (Mayweather's ego/fear of challenge, Bob Arum's unwillingness to work with Mayweather, etc.), but Top Rank Promotions has had preliminary talks to stage a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight in March at the gigantic, brand-new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Bruce Trampler, vice president for Top Rank, said the company is trying to organize an evening of boxing at the new Arlington stadium that would include championship fights.

"Bob Arum (Top Rank president) has spoken directly to Jerry Jones. This would be an impressive site to hold a historical boxing event," Trampler said in a phone interview.

...

"Pacquiao is very interested in fighting there (in Cowboys Stadium)," Trampler said. "We would definitely try to schedule a fight with Mayweather in March, which is something fans have been waiting to see for some time."

Texas loves its boxing, at least on a local level where Juan Diaz has drawn great houses in Houston, including a Texas-record-breaking gate against Juan Manuel Marquez in February. Mayweather-Pacquiao would draw fans not just in Texas, but from all over the country and indeed the world. Cowboys Stadium itself is a unique venue, plus most people will still have never actually been there. It's nice that they're looking past Vegas -- I'd love to hear an actual crowd of boxing fans behind the rows of celebrities, comped high rollers and hookers cheering this fight on.

Cowboys Stadium seats 80,000 for football, but can be expanded with floor seating to go all the way up to 111,000. Now chances are no matter how affordable they make the majority of the tickets, this isn't the fight that's going to do 111,000 in a stadium -- no fight is that fight.

If this fight does defy the odds and happen, expect Vegas first. Always expect Vegas first. But here's hoping they'll go outside the box, really try to do this in Arlington or somewhere with a similarly appealing venue. This is the fight boxing needs to go all-out for, and by boxing I mean these particular two fighters and Bob Arum.

Monte Barrett remains the only man who has fought both combatants, and he's picking Nikolai Valuev over David Haye this Saturday. (Photo via nbcsportsmedia.msnbc.com)

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Monte Barrett, who has fought both men: "David Haye has more tenacity. But I think Valuev will win the fight because he’s good at what he does. ... I think [Haye is] making the same mistake I made when I fought him. He’s getting caught up in the hype. ... [Haye] has power. He’s not heavy-handed, he just has a lot of pop in his punch. When he hit me it reminded me of Wladimir Klitschko. He has deceptive speed about his power and Klitschko has the same type of power in his punches. Valuev is not heavy handed at all." (Boxing News, link via BoxingScene.com)

The following picks are all from Sporting Life.

Ricky Hatton: "David packs a lot of power and I think he can do to Valuev what no-one else has done and knock him out in sensational fashion."

Enzo Maccarinelli: "I do feel David can beat him and if he can put Valuev down, that giant frame is going to be hard to get off the ground. I think it will be a late stoppage."

James DeGale: "As time has gone on I fancy his chances less and less. Valuev is humongous! If he doesn't knock him out in six I can't see it. He's not going to get a decision in Germany, is he?"

Arthur Abraham: "I think Nikolai is going to win. For Haye it will be difficult to come out of cruiserweight and fight a man that is as tall and heavy as Valuev. Haye is a good boxer, no doubt about that, but I believe that Niko will take care of business."

The rest of that Sporting Life article has thoughts from Emanuel Steward, Danny Williams, Frank Warren, Frankie Gavin, Matthew Macklin and Tony Jeffries.