Sugar Shane Mosley; Sweet Again!
It was a short six or seven inch left hook by ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley which stretched ‘Ferocious’ Fernando Vargas two minutes into the sixth round. Mosley was ahead on all three of the judge’s scorecards when the end came. Mosley, 34 and once again under the tutelage of his father/trainer Jack, used his better boxing technique, rhythm and movement to offset the slower and lethargic Vargas.
Mosley’s superior hand speed was apparent to be a problem within the first round. He threw quick snapping punches with knockout intentions as they landed on the side of Vargas’ head. For Vargas, it was apparent within the first 30 seconds that his style would be no match for the quicker Mosley. The first contest lasted until the tenth, until Referee Joe Cortez stopped the contest due to ‘Ferocious’ swelling to Vargas’ left eye. In this contest, it was the right eye of Vargas that was cut in the final outings of the fourth round. By the fifth, the damaged had been done and the cut was noticed by referee Kenny Bayless and ringside physicians in attendance. A small gash was opened over Vargas eye that saw a streak of dark red blood shoot down his right cheek. With two minutes now into the sixth, Mosley landed a thudding left hook leaving Vargas’ legs completely num. Referee Kenny Bayless begin to count as Vargas eventually beat the ten count. It was no hope for Fernando fans in the house, Sugar Shane Mosley leaped on the Oxnard, California native and pounded away as referee Bayless halted the contest at 2:38 of the sixth round.
If we flashed back to February 25th, 2006, it was somewhat of a similar matchup, one fighter showing his superior talents to outbox and outfox the slower and less dominating fighter. Vargas seemed to put up a much more spirited contest in the first contest with Shane Mosley. Fernando promised he’d enter the ring amongst a new style that would guarantee a knock victory over Mosley. But it was no hope. Stylistically, Fernando Vargas’ style is no match for “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s power boxing.
For ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley (43-4 37 KOs) this matchup thoroughly highlights his marketability with some of the top marquee guys anywhere between 147lbs – 154lbs. “I really didn’t plan on fighting anymore this year, I just had two hard fights and I think I deserve a break,” said Mosley at the post fight conference. “I mean, you never know. I said I was going to fight next year, but you never know.” As for Ferocious Fernando, he seemed rather gracious in his defeat,“It was a good punch by Shane, I take nothing from him.” When a nearby reported questioned his future plans he stated he didn’t think he’d return to another matchup at 154lbs. For Vargas, now (26-4 22 KOs) he’s relatively young and is still capable of making interesting fights. One might suggest, however, due to his continuous back injuries and ability to sustain facial scarring he may need to ponder the direction of his career.
Where can Sugar Shane go from here?
Shane Mosley hasn’t looked this sweet in a long time, four years to be exact. Four boxing years in the ring can be a detrimental especially when a fighter is already in his early to mid thirties. Shane’s sensational performance has added some leverage into his career that will see him likely square up with fighters such as: Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Cory Spinks, Kassim Ouma or Sechew Powell. Of course the long list of names continues to cultivate. Thus, Shane has decided to take the best business step by taking some months off and studying the opposition surrounding him.
Shane Mosley is known amongst the boxing world for his elite status and finer art of fighting. He once captured Lightweight gold (135lb) and successfully defended his title eight times, with eight straight knockouts. After his successes at lightweight, Sugar Shane moved north to ‘bigger’ and better things. In June of 2000, he outworked Oscar De La Hoya and kept his flawless record. After dominating Shannan Taylor and Adrian Stone in KO fashion, Shane met with Vernon Forrest and suffered his first pro defeat. After a much better spirited rematch, Forrest once again beat Mosley and for the first time in his career many felt Sugar Shane was finished.
Once again he proved boxing critics and spectators wrong. He moved north once again to resurrect his career at 154lbs (Junior middleweight). There, he met up with Oscar De La Hoya once more and defeated him a second time, capturing the 154lb world title. It was a controversial decision that many felt was wrong. At the end of the day, Shane’s hand was raised high and once again got the glory.
By March of 2004, Sugar Shane Mosley declined Oscar De La Hoya’s rematch request and instead defended his title against Ronald Winky Wright of St. Petersburg Florida. Wright was an underdog to Mosley’s already proven track record, but he sure as heck didn’t appear that way. He stalked and pummeled Mosley into a Unanimous decision, thoroughly taking his 154lb strap. Eight months later, despite putting up a more heartened contest against Wright, Shane Mosley was once
again defeated.
After his second defeat to Wright, Mosley decided to resurrect his career once more by dropping to 147lbs and facing David Estrada and undefeated Jose Luis Cruz. Mosley scored Unanimous decisions over both Estrada and Cruz within a five-month span. By late 2005, ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley was given the opportunity to reestablish himself as one of this era’s best pound for pound fighters by fighting Fernando Vargas in February of 2006. Mosley scored a tenth round stoppage then and a sixth round stoppage recently on July 15th 2006.
Truthfully, Sugar Shane Mosley hasn’t looked this good in a long time and many feel that the aging Mosley is running out of time and should take a fight with Floyd Mayweather at 147lbs by the end of this year. Thus, for Mosley, it would be in his best interest to allow himself to allow the extra seven pounds to fall off before facing Mayweather. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is currently the best pound for pound fighter in the world, and not yet has a fighter put together a blueprint for beating him. ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley may indeed be the one to at least come closer than any Floyd has faced.
Ladies and Gentleman!!!
Sugar Shane Mosley is back!!
For more information regarding this extraordinary matchup please visit ESPN.com.
