Mosley says he is set to fight Pacquiao in October

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley said Wednesday that only a few details stand between him and an October 17 fight with Philippines superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao flattened England's Ricky Hatton in the second round last month while Mosley stopped Mexico's Antonio Margarito in the ninth round back in January.

US veteran Mosley anticipates squaring off with the Asian powerhouse seen as the world's top pound-for-pound fighter at a catch-weight once negotiations are complete based upon comments Pacquiao made in his homeland.

Mosley, 46-5 with 39 knockouts, challenged Pacquiao, 49-3 with two drawn and 37 knockouts, and the Filipino star told GMA News on Wednesday that, "No problem. We can fight. As long as we negotiate."

Mosley took that as a challenge answered and said he will give Pacquiao the larger share of a 60-40 purse split and meet him at a catch weight lower than the welterweight limit in order to make the fight happen.

"Now that Manny has stated that he is ready to fight me, the only thing left to finish are negotiations," Mosley said.

"(Promoters) Richard Schaefer and Bob Arum are working out the details now. I will be ready to fight Pacquiao on October 17."

Mosley might just be getting a bit ahead of himself, however. Pacquiao's willingness to fight and securing a finalized contract with boxing's top man of the moment are far from the same thing.

Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, said last month after the victory over Hatton that nothing would be decided about who Pacquiao fights next until Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto's fight in 10 days against Joshua Clottey at New York.

Mosley had been mentioned as a potential upcoming opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jnr, the unbeaten American who abdicated the pound-for-pound throne in favor of retirement.

Mayweather returns to the ring next month against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. He announced the fight just hours before Pacquiao knocked out Hatton to steal his thunder.