13.09.08 – by James Slater – At the age of 37, Sugar Shane Mosley shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Okay, he will never again be the lighting fast, sublimely skilled lightweight/welterweight he was in the late 1990s/early 2000s, but the former three weight world champion is as hungry, as determined and as willing to face the best as he always was..
Never a fighter to pick and choose who he fights, Mosley has been in with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Miguel Cotto and Winky Wright (twice) – Wright being a fighter he could very easily have avoided like a good many other light-middleweights were doing at the time. Mosley may not have beaten all the men listed here, but that’s not the point; he fought them all and has always taken on the very best so as to prove his own worth. Boxing could use a whole lot more like him.
In his next fight, this coming September 27th, Mosley takes what some have called a “mark time” fight when he goes in with Nicaraguan wild man Ricardo Mayorga. And it’s true the oft-beaten (at least lately) Mayorga is not a fighter who is in Mosley’s league as far as skills go, and Shane, even at 37, should beat him with some ease. But the plan Mosley has for after he beats Mayorga is a big and highly commendable one – he very much wants a showdown with the mighty Mexican that is WBA welterweight king Antonio Margarito. Mosley hopes a win over Mayorga will earn him a go at “Tony” some time next year.
As quoted recently by MLive.com, Sugar Shane is eyeing a future match-up with Margarito.
“I go after the best fighter. It doesn’t matter who it is,” Mosley stated. “When Mayweather was on top before he retired, I wanted Mayweather. Margarito is the best welterweight out there right now, so I want Margarito. I love the challenge. I’ve always been that way, wanted to be the best. So if he’s the best fighter I’m going after him.”
Would Mosley have a good chance at beating Margarito? Shane would almost certainly be the underdog if the fight came off, even if he entered the bout having despatched the always dangerous “El Matador” in spectacular fashion in September. But because of his still formidable boxing skills, fine chin and overall boxing savvy, a Mosley victory could not be written off.
Remember, Cotto was winning the first half of the fight with Margarito before fading and being caught up with in the later rounds. Could Mosley box and move, stick to his game-plan, make Margarito miss and pick up a close points win? It’s possible.
Sure, Margarito got to Cotto in the end and stopped him – Cotto being the last man to beat Mosley – but styles make fights and Sugar Shane just might be able to go one better than did the Puerto Rican. The odds are against a Mosley win, yes, and there would also be a fair chance of the “Tijuana Tornado” becoming the only man to ever stop Mosley. But the greatness that would be bestowed upon him if he caused the upset is what’s driving Mosley to take the fight.
As he says, he’s always been that way, he’s always wanted the best. Fingers crossed Ricardo Mayorga doesn’t get lucky on September 27th. Then hopefully Mosley will get the opportunity to achieve what he’s always wanted.