Photo credit: Tom Casino/Showtime – By Michael R. Cumberbatch: We are hours away from the welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I’ve always viewed Shane Mosley as being enigmatic- never quite living up to the moniker befitting of a “Sugar.” Steps below his sweet predecessors (two Ray’s; one Robinson and one Leonard) more of an artificial sweetener if you will. This is not to disparage Shane’s career. After an illustrious amateur career and ruling the lightweight division, he’s had a roller coaster career. I certainly expected more.
Sure; he is a Hall of Famer but he never reached the level of fighter I thought he could be. You never know what to expect when Shane steps in the ring. One thing for sure is he’s always ready to fight the very best. All that said, I believe May 7th will be his day.
Naazim Richardson talked about the fickleness of boxing writers and fans and he’s absolutely right. He was saying that you are judged solely on your last performance or two.
If you look at Mosley’s last two fights, its very easy to say he has no shot but boxing doesn’t work like that. Every fight brings with it particular obstacles and opportunities. Pacquiao presents an obstacle in the speed department where, I believe he possesses faster hand and foot speed than Shane. That being said, Mosley’s skills have eroded but he brings one thing that presents both an opportunity – and is the great neutralizer to the obstacle he faces in this fight. The counter left hook. He likes to throw it and Manny will be there to receive it. Pacquiao although his defense has improved is still not a good defensive fighter. Watch where he holds his right hand and how open he is while he throws his combinations.
Sometimes in boxing what should happen on paper and what the odds makers tell us will happen requires a closer look and defies all logic and reason to the unseeing mind..
A faded Mosley approaching 40 years old, having seen his best days behind him, will finally reach that pinnacle befitting of a Sugar.