By Julius Stecker: First things first, this article is not endorsing that Sugar Shane Mosley is going to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. As Floyd has mentioned in the past, 40 have tried and 40 have failed. This article will merely suggest that the 4 to 1 odds are an invitation to a live underdog bet scenario come May 1st. Put it this way, Mayweather was less of a favorite going into to his fights with Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya. Going into this fight, Floyd Mayweather is definitely the favorite. He brings in a resume of a 5-division titlist along with an excellent undefeated record of 40 and 0. His boxing skills and ring generalship are the standard bearer for the sport today. And he will go down in history as one of the best defensive fighters who ever lived.
His opponent on May 1st will be Sugar Shane Mosley, (46-5) the current WBA Welterweight Super Champion, and former 3 division champion. He will bring in the best resume of any opponent Floyd will have entered the ring with.(Oscar De La Hoya brought in a great resume as well, but Mosley defeated De La Hoya twice) Mosley will also be the strongest and hardest hitting opponent Mayweather will have faced in his career.. Mosley’s drawbacks in this fight will be his age, 38, and the fact he has not fought in 16 months. Also Mosley has had some trouble with technical boxers in the past. But Mosley is 7 and 1 in his last 8 fights, against excellent competition, and his only loss(Miguel Cotto) was a razor close decision in his opponents back yard, that could have easily been a draw or gone his way. Here are 3 reasons why I believe Shane, at 4 to 1 odds is a very live dog.
1. Size and Speed
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be facing an opponent who will have the size and reach advantage on him. And also he will be facing a guy who can match him in speed. Floyd has been known for a great ability to make mid-fight adjustments in the past, ala Zab Judah and Oscar De La Hoya, but Mosley is not the type of opponent who collapses late in fights. In fact, Mosley has been known to close fights strong. Floyd has better timing than Mosley, but Mosley’s ability to muscle on the inside could prove pivotal in this match-up.
2. Experience
Shane Mosley will bring a wealth of experience. It will be only the 2nd time that Floyd will be fighting a fighter with more experience than him on the big stage.(Oscar De La Hoya) Shane has seen all styles, from De La Hoya’s speed and power, to Winky Wright’s southpaw jab, to Vernon Forrest’s length and reach, to Fernando Vargas’s strength. You name it Shane has seen it. While Mosley has never been in the ring with Mayweather, it is safe to say, Mosley has been in with tougher opposition and faced more tests.
3. Power
Now I am not hear saying Shane Mosley will knock out Floyd. That is the hardest task in boxing. But Shane Mosley will present something that Floyd has never seen in terms of power. And while Mosley doesn’t have great devastating one punch power, he does punch hard with both hands, to the body and to the head. And his power is relentless for all 12 rounds. He is probably the 1st opponent with an opportunity to hurt Floyd. I am not saying he will, but I am just saying he has the ability to do it. Floyd’s shoulder roll defense usually nullifies his opponents attack, but Mosley ability to punch with both hands will prove pivotal.
In the end, I don’t know what to make of the 4 to 1 odds. If I were making them, I would say Floyd is a 3 or 2.5 to 1 favorite. Floyd is definitely a better pure boxer than Mosley, but pure boxing doesn’t always win fights. But maybe Vegas and the odd makers know something I don’t. Maybe the rumors are true that Mosley had a tough time early in his training camp, and Floyd has looked better than ever in his. Maybe Mosley’s layoff makes him get old overnight, which could happen at age 38. In the end, Mosley at 4 to 1 odds is a pick that really is a no lose situation. Remember this is Shane Mosley we are talking about, not Zab Judah. Put it this way, if you have 100 bucks laying around that you play with, this may not be a bad wager. If he wins, you win big, if he loses you can chalk up it to a gamble on a live dog that didn’t come through.