Shane Mosley getting back in ring

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Pomona’s Shane Mosley hasn’t fought since last January, when he defeated Antonio Margarito in the memorable Staples Center fight when the Mexican champ’s gloves were unloaded of plaster inserts.

Mosley lobbied hard in the interim to be considered by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, neither of whom took him up on the offer, wasting months. Mosley’s camp says that’s because he’s too skilled. Mayweather’s team has complained Mosley can’t draw a big enough crowd. Pacquiao came to terms with Miguel Cotto, and they’ll fight in hours.

So on Saturday morning, world welterweight champion Mosley, 38, showed up at Mandalay Bay in Vegas to announce his Jan. 30 return to the ring for a title unification bout against World Boxing Council champ Andre Berto (25-0, 19 KOs). HBO will broadcast the fight live, and tickets will range from $50-$300. Mosley is slightly more than a 2-to-1 favorite in Las Vegas sports books.

The athletic, hard-punching Berto has beaten Luis Collazo and Juan Urango by decision this year, and he’s enthused about taking on a bigger name.

‘I’m young and talented and [Mosley’s] at the end of his career,’ Berto said.

Berto’s promoter, Lou DiBella, also invoked that theory, contending Mosley’s TKO victory over Margarito isn’t all that impressive because Margarito ‘got caught for being the cheater he is.’ He told Mosley, ‘[Margarito] let you look better than you are.’ Margarito’s license was revoked early this year, though he denies knowing the inserts were in his hand wraps.

Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) countered that his opponent -- exactly 12 years younger -- makes mistakes ‘that are going to be a problem for him in our fight.’

Mosley really had no choice after so much time off but to take on someone other than the Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto group. He says that as soon as beats Berto, he wants to be part of the conversation again.

‘I heard Pacquiao’s people want to fight me next, so we can do it in April or May,’ Mosley said. ‘I want to fight the best.’

Mosley’s promoter, Richard Schaefer, however, said he’s confident he can create a Pacquiao fight against Mayweather should the favored Filipino win tonight.

‘But eventually, these guys will be coming to Shane, probably late in 2010,’ Schaefer said.

Mosley’s heard that before.

-- Lance Pugmire