By David A. Avila 

BEVERLY HILLS-When first announced there were roars of disapproval and cries of mismatch, but the actual players involved including Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Shane Mosley, know this could be a gritty war of attrition. 

Now the fans and media are beginning to see the truth. 

Media representatives were in force on Thursday to watch the opening press conference to WBO welterweight titleholder Pacquiao’s (52-3-2, 38 KOs) defense against Pomona’s Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) for Top Rank’s blockbuster card on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Showtime pay-per-view will be televising the event. 

Fresh off a tremendous victory against Mexico’s Antonio Margarito, the Filipino super star, who last year became a Congressman in his country, is raring to go against Mosley who’s suffered a draw and a loss in his last two fights. 

All parties involved insist that Mosley’s past performances don’t mean a thing. 

“This is definitely not an easy fight,” said Freddie Roach, one of the more honest prognosticators in the sport who is not shy about saying exactly what he thinks will happen in a fight. “He’s been there many times and this is a dangerous fight.” 

Like a slow moving train the media is beginning to gather momentum in realizing that these two warriors are very compatible in fighting style. It’s bringing a match to dynamite. 

Can Pacman knock out Mosley? Can Sugar Shane possibly be the one to derail Pacman? 

Most believe the fight will go the distance. Mosley has never been knocked out despite fighting much bigger opponents and Pacquiao’s chin has also proved rock hard. 

“This is very big and I’m very excited to be able to show my stuff,” Mosley said in his typically nonchalant manner. 

Mosley had been chasing Pacquiao for two years and felt he would get the shot after surprisingly knocking out Margarito two years ago. It didn’t happen. 

Then after he lost to Floyd Mayweather and then drew with Sergio Mora this past summer, most pundits and fans relegated the former lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight champion as an also ran. 

“Styles make fights,” said Mosley. “Those other guys were defensive fighters. Pacquiao comes to you. He likes to fight. I like to fight.” 

Pacquiao was last seen beating Margarito over 12 rounds and nearly stopping the rugged Mexican last November. Mosley had enough power to stop Margarito. That fight remains the barometer to this fight. Or does it. 

“This is a going to be a good fight on May 7,” said Pacquiao while in front of the podium and sporting long hair and looking like a 1950s beatnik. “I hope you train hard. I will train hard too.” 

CBS/Showtime 

Bob Arum, the president of Top Rank and Todd DuBoef, recently convinced Showtime and CBS to promote the coming fight and also plans to showcase further boxing cards in the near future. 

It could be the necessary fuel to spark boxing to wider audience. 

“It’s now our job to take it to the next level and bring it back to the masses where it belongs,” said Ken Hershman, Showtime honcho. 

In attendance were several high profile executives from CBS and Showtime and that was a very significant moment for boxing. Should CBS get back into the mix of showing boxing on its network on a regular basis it could prove important for 2011 and beyond.