CARSON, Calif. (AP) -Ricardo Mayorga says it's time for Shane Mosley to retire. He plans to make that happen Saturday night when the former world champions meet in a 12-round junior middleweight bout at The Home Depot Center.
``I would have to say he's one of my easier opponents,'' Mayorga said through a translator. ``He was great at one point. His speed is not the same anymore. He's a shadow of his former self. I came to this fight to win. I came to this fight to retire him, make him a homemaker.
``Once he stands and fights, the fight's over. He's going to be fighting with his laundry at home (after the bout). I'm going to be fighting for a world title.''
Both fighters would love a title shot, and that could happen for the winner. But both have other goals as well.
``I'm not worried about the title right now,'' said the 37-year-old Mosley, a four-time former world champion from nearly Pomona. ``Just the bigger fights, that's all, so people will know I'm one of the best fighters of this era.''
The 35-year-old Mayorga, a three-time former world champion from Nicaragua, would like a second shot at Oscar De La Hoya, although that appears unlikely.
``Don't let him deceive the boxing fans,'' Mayorga said. ``Let him retire fighting a true super welterweight or middleweight. How's he going to retire fighting a featherweight? After I beat up his dad (Mosley), who beat him twice, I want another opportunity.''
De La Hoya is scheduled to meet Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6 in what he says will be his final fight.
Mosley, 44-5 with 37 knockouts, hasn't fought since losing a close but unanimous 12-round decision to Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight championship at Madison Square Garden 10 1/2 months ago. Mosley won his previous five fights - two over Fernando Vargas - and has beaten De La Hoya twice.
Mayorga, 28-6-1, has been idle since scoring a majority 12-round decision over Vargas 10 months ago. That was his first outing in more than 18 months; he was stopped by De La Hoya in the sixth round of their WBC junior middleweight title bout on May 6, 2006.
``I knocked Vargas out, you didn't knock Vargas out,'' Mosley told Mayorga this week at the final news conference for their bout. ``That's the difference.''
But Mayorga has two wins over Vernon Forrest while Mosley lost twice to Forrest.
``Vernon beat him twice, he has never been the same,'' Mayorga said.
Although Mayorga is known for his trash talking, he said he's fond of Mosley, and the two seemed to get along well in their face-to-face meeting this week, although Mayorga did all he could to push Mosley's buttons.
``Myself and Mayorga, we're going to put on a great show,'' Mosley said. ``I'm just happy to be fighting. Every time I turn around, it's all about retirement. I'm not going away.''
Mosley will receive a guaranteed $1.5 million, and Mayorga is guaranteed $550,000. The card will be televised by HBO.
In a co-feature, Andre Berto will defend his WBC welterweight title against Steve Forbes. Berto, from Winter Haven, Fla., has a 22-0 record with 19 knockouts. Forbes, of Las Vegas, Nev., is 33-6 with nine knockouts. He lost an unanimous 12-round decision May 3 to De La Hoya in his most recent outing.
