New Interview with “Sugar” Shane & Cerena Mosley

“Sugar” Shane Mosley takes pride in where he came from. Now the multiple world champ (46-7-1, 39 KOs) is giving back to the community and hosting the first-ever “Pomona Pride” Community Event THIS weekend January 20-22, Friday through Sunday, at the Pomona Civic Center in Southern California.

I caught up with the famed fighter and his sister Cerena Mosley-Prude at a recent boxing gathering where the siblings shared their enthusiasm for their upcoming celebration that will include special surprise guests and champs in attendance, an amateur boxing show, live entertainment, a fashion show, carnival and health fair, a Kids’ Zone and much more.

“I’m very proud to represent Pomona and help the kids there–and also help kids all over the world,” Shane told me.

This three-day extravaganza will benefit their nonprofit organization, Diamond’s Love Foundation, named after the Mosley’s three-year-old nephew Diamond Jamaal Johnson who died in a tragic 1988 car accident.

“We started a foundation to give back in Diamond’s memory,” the champ added. He also opened up his Mosley Pomona Boxing Club where they train and build tomorrow’s future champions. Shane was an elite amateur standout around the Southland and his son, Shane Jr. and father Jack have also been immersed in the sport.

“Sugar” Shane’s pretty sis Cerena has been instrumental in working with the foundation in little Diamond’s honor. The prizefighter’s sister shares the same green eyes as her brother and mother. And I saw her face light up when she shared details about the upcoming boxing bash in Pomona.

“We are having a grand exciting event!” Mosley-Prude beamed. “We’ve been working with the City of Pomona and this will be a a wonderful community event open to everyone of all ages. This is multi-cultural event where everyone is welcome.”

The brother and sister team are anticipating a great time at this 1st Annual “Pomona Pride” event. Tickets are at a reasonable cost with three-day wristbands also available.

As the excitement builds for this inaugural boxing bonanza, I spoke to show organizer Cerena Mosley-Prude to check in on all the latest plans for the festival nearing quickly.

“We have our carnival on Friday and Shane will be there on Saturday and Sunday for the events,” his sister confirmed during our phone conversation. “And everyone’s really looking forward to the fashion show and the boxing show too.”

They will have an outdoor tent set up for the fighters and boxing fans coming out to catch the top amateurs square off. One boxer, in particular, may look and sound familiar in his name and skill set. “Shane Jr. is going to be fighting,” Cerena tells me, “along with three other boys of ours. And the winners will be getting special belts and we also will have ‘Spirit Awards’ too.”

Former WBO NABO Featherweight Champ Tiger Smalls told me he’s looking forward to Sunday’s amateur show–especially since his son, Prince Tiger Smalls will be lacing up and fighting this weekend. The boxer now coaches kids in the San Diego area. Another pro fighter, female boxer Katarina De La Cruz, is also planning on attending and commended the Mosley camp for their effort in the community.

The whole support from the fight community has been strong–and the Mosleys thank everyone for all the assistance. “Everyone’s been so great,” Mosley-Prude comments. “And Victor Valenzuela’s Duarte Boxing Club and also the P-Town Gym in Perris with Jaime Ochoa and Angel Ochoa have been incredible too. Everybody’s been SO supportive!”

The Mosley family is well-known with Shane having been a big amateur star growing up in SoCal. Since his prizefighting career, many people remark that he’s still the same friendly and humble guy that he was before fame and fortune found him.

Outside the ropes, Mosley has stayed busy with his gym and foundation since his last bout versus Manny Pacquiao in May 2011. The slugger also wants to return to the ring and is not retiring just yet. “I still have a few fights left in me,” he said. “I wanna go out like I know I can.”

Until his next fight, Shane will stay active in the sweet science and Team Mosley plans on continuing to give back for many years to come with their Diamond’s Love Foundation.

“We’re very happy and proud to have this event beginning Friday,” Cerena says. “It’s been a positive experience with everyone coming together. It’s a family event and we plan to keep it going with it getting bigger and better each year.”

She then tells me about remembering a city event in Watts her family attended when she was around four years old. It was a community affair in a festive atmosphere–and it is an experience she never forgot. Now she and her boxing brother are giving others a chance to join in on a similar celebration.

Join Shane and sis Cerena at their blockbuster event with the champs THIS weekend in Pomona!

Check out my new video interview with the duo–and hear in their own words what fans can experience at the 2012 “Pomona Pride” fundraiser.

Shane Mosley’s “Pomona Pride” Community Event
Pomona Civic Center
505 South Garey Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767
Ticket Info: 909-622-9092 (TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE ON SITE)
www.diamondslovefoundation.org

Photos by Michele Chong

Shane and Cerena Mosley Interview: