Shane Mosley: The Training Diaries
2007-10-31
By Shane Mosley
What goes on in the head of a top boxer before a major bout? In the final days of training before his much anticipated bout with Miguel Cotto for the welterweight championship, Shane Mosely lets us inside his camp at Big Bear, California and inside his thinking as he prepares for November 10th.
I come to Big Bear to train because it gives me a sense of seclusion. It gets me away from the world and allows me to focus on what's ahead.
There are physical reasons as well. The altitude helps with your energy and your breathing and works on your red and white blood cells. You have to fight for more oxygen and it requires your body to work harder. They say a workout here is like two workouts anywhere else.
Training camp preparation is equal parts mental and physical. A fighter can be in the best shape of his life, but when you get down to it, you have to have a tough mind to get you through a professional fight.
So much of a fight is in the mind. All the greatest fighters had that element of mental toughness. You¹re constantly thinking about how you can outthink and outwit your opponent, testing him to see if he can step up to the pressure. Sometimes you trick them. They might think you're tired but you really just got your second wind. Or you might be hurt but still you keep a poker face. Everybody has his own way of playing mental games.
Mayweather might talk to you the whole time. Ali used to do that and throw people off their game.
I¹m 35 now. I train differently than when I was 21. I'm more cautious about the way I treat my body. It doesn¹t regenerate the way it use to, so I make sure I get the proper rest and proper meals.
On a typical day I get up at about 5:45. I stretch a bit and watch fight films. Come daylight, around 6:30, I'll run for two and half to three miles, then I eat a good breakfast scrambled eggs, oatmeal with berries -- and watch more fight films. Then it's time for sparring or gym work. I might have a shake after that to refuel, and then it's time to myself. I take that time to think or maybe work on the computer or do promotion for some of the young fighters I'm working to train and manage for my days after boxing.
At 3:00pm it's back to training and then training again at 8pm. Then I'll hydrate and try to get some sleep. Sure it's a lot of work, but I can have a little fun. On Tuesday nights I have a bowling league at the camp.
I enjoy sparring. When I look for a sparring partner I don’t necessarily look for someone who fights like my opponent. I look for guys who are bigger than me so I have to hit harder. And not guys who have to be trained or guys looking for lessons, but guys who are qualified to mix it up with me.
I can’t wait for this fight. Some people don't get their game face on until the last week. For me it’s starts as soon as I sign the deal. People say I train hard, but it’s much more than a work ethic, it’s a real love of the sport. I truly love boxing and everything that comes with it, and I plan to be in this game in some way for the rest of my life.
Next week: Shane talks about fighting in Madison Square Garden and the chaos that goes around a boxer in the few days before a bout.
Cover and Article Photos: Rob DeLorenzo. Courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions
About the Fight
“Sugar” Shane Mosley vs. Miguel Cotto.
Saturday, November 10, at the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden.
The 12-round world welterweight title fight will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. .