Mosley set for return to the ring after year-long break

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Five-times world champion Shane Mosley will return to the ring after an absence of almost a year when he takes on fellow American Andre Berto in a non-title welterweight bout in January.

Mosley, 38, has not fought since he claimed the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning ninth round stoppage of Mexican Antonio Margarito in Los Angeles 10 months ago.

Since then, he has tried without success to secure bouts with high-profile boxers such as Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

"I am so excited to be back in the ring again," Mosley told reporters at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Saturday after organizers announced the January 30 fight. "It's going to be a tremendous bout.

"I've forgotten more about the fight game than he (Berto) knows and the world will see that. Andre Berto is a good fighter but he's bitten off more than he can chew."

Mosley, (46-5, 39 KOs), said he had quickly come to terms with his failure to get other leading welterweights into the ring over the last 10 months.

"I was trying to get the big fights, I was trying to get the fans what they wanted," he added. "But these (other) guys don't want to fight me because I am the most gifted. I am the best.

"It's all right. I love boxing. I give myself about three or four more years and whatever happens in that time span, hopefully I should be able to wrap up the division."

Berto will be back in the ring for the first time since defending his WBC welterweight title against Juan Urango in Florida in May.

"This is the fight I have waited my whole career for and now it is finally a reality," said the 26-year-old, who has an unbeaten professional record of 25-0 with 19 knockouts.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)