Articles of 2009

Shane Mosley: Most Accomplished At 135 Since Roberto Duran

Published

11 years ago

May 9, 2009

His record reads like a who's who of the best fighters who've campaigned between lightweight and junior middleweight circa 1997-2009. No, he's not undefeated, but Shane Mosley is one of the few fighters of his generation that sought and fought the best available opposition every time out. He's won 46 of 51 career fights, has never been stopped and only put down once as a pro.

Mosley turned pro fighting as a lightweight in November of 1993 after losing to future nemesis Vernon Forrest at the 1992 Olympic trials. Mosley was a physical beast at 135 and compiled a record of 32-0, going 9-0 (8) in lightweight title bouts. His father trained him during his entire lightweight campaign, and was often quoted as describing his son's style of fighting as power boxing. The reality is as a lightweight Shane could fight any style he wanted. He was an outstanding boxer and a terrific puncher at the weight. His style is classified as a boxer-puncher. To compliment Mosley's physical prowess he was as mentally tough as any fighter you've seen during any era.

After going undefeated as a lightweight for six years and cleaning out the division, Mosley decided to move up to welterweight – completely by passing the junior welterweight division just as Roberto Duran did in 1978. Nine months after relinquishing his lightweight title, Mosley challenged Oscar De La Hoya (32-1) for the WBC welterweight title. At the time, De La Hoya's only defeat was a disputed split decision to the undefeated Felix Trinidad nine months prior. To many including this writer, De La Hoya was undefeated in the ring entering the Mosley bout based on him winning the Trinidad fight 7-5 /115-113.

Fighting in only his third bout at 147, Mosley out thought and fought De La Hoya and added the WBC welterweight title to his resume via capturing a 12-round split decision — that should've been unanimous. After three successful defenses won by stoppage, Mosley was dropped by his old amateur nemesis, Vernon Forrest, in the second round and lost his title via a unanimous decision. Six months later Forrest repeated his mastery over Mosley to a lesser degree and retained the WBC welterweight title again by unanimous decision. As is the case in many boxing rivalries, Forrest has Mosley's number in much the same way Junior Jones did Marco Antonio Barrera. Forrest's style, size and reach were too much for Shane to navigate past. Just as Barrera is a greater fighter than Jones, Mosley is a greater fighter than Forrest.

A year after losing the rematch to Forrest, Mosley moved up to Junior middleweight and won a unanimous decision over Oscar De La Hoya to win the WBC/WBA titles. The rematch with Oscar was a completely different fight from their first. De La Hoya used the ring and boxed – thus forced Mosley to fight as the attacker. When it was over those who attended the fight thought it was a clear Mosley win, those who watched the HBO broadcast felt Oscar pulled it out. For the record I scored it a one-point win for De La Hoya.

A few years after the fight it was reviled that Mosley took two different types of designer steroids given to him by his conditioning coach. Not being an expert on steroids I can only give my opinion, and this Mosley messed up. The only reason a fighter would take any form of steroid is with the hope they'd enhance their strength and punch. In Mosley's case it was for not. If anything he screwed up his body and it took him a few years to regain his form. Instead of boxing and picking his spots — he started believing he was a big puncher at the higher weight, which he wasn't. Evidenced by his next fight when he lost a one-sided decision and his junior middleweight title to Winky Wright.

Eight months later Mosley lost a rematch to Wright and failed to regain the title. The second time around with Wright was a lot closer fight, but Winky proved to be too big and strong for Mosley. Shane's added weight and punchers mindset was all wrong for him — when the fight was over he adopted a new mindset and relieved his father as his trainer. Something that was a good thing due to his father not being able to be honest with his son which prevented him from telling the fighter when he was losing during the bout.

Since losing the rematch against the bigger, taller and stronger Winky Wright, who has fought as high as 170 since then, Mosley has gone 7-1 fighting between 147 & 153. Among his victims are Jose Luis Cruz who was undefeated going into the fight. Which he followed up with two stoppage wins over former junior middleweight champ Fernando Vargas. He also defeated Luis Collazo and had less trouble with him than either Ricky Hatton or Andre Berto. His lone loss came against undefeated Miguel Cotto, a fight I scored a draw. Actually, Mosley's toughness and stubbornness made the Cotto fight tougher than it should've been for him.

Shane is at his best fighting as a counter-puncher and going to his opponents body with his left hook as they come to him. Give Cotto props for being smart and adjusting. Once Miguel sensed that Shane was stronger and more physical than him, he lured Mosley into pressing the fight and countered him on the way in. As is the case in some fights, Mosley looks for the sensational one-punch knockout when fighting an opponent who's moving away — as he did versus Cotto.

In his two fights since Cotto, Mosley knocked out the wild and hard charging Ricardo Mayorga. In his last bout he fought one of the most complete fights of his career and demolished the tough and never been stopped before Antonio Margarito in nine rounds to regain the WBA welterweight title.

Mosley showed a varied attack and how he can think against a tough and dangerous opponent in Margarito, who was coming off the signature win of his career in his last fight. During the fight with Margarito, Mosley held and clinched at the perfect time – thus thwarting and disrupting Antonio's aggression. In doing that he was forcing Margarito to go back to square one and start over in trying to mount his assault. Only he was met with sharp one-twos and hooks to the body and a few right uppercuts to the chin in the process. No doubt about the outcome in that one, the soon to be 38 year old Mosley totally and methodically took apart the fighter who was believed to be an unstoppable force in the welterweight division.

Some may look at Mosley's career record of 46-5 (39) and not be overwhelmed by it. A sentiment I find fault with. Those five loses are in no way a sign of mediocrity. What they represent are a sign of no set-ups, a fearless fighter at the highest level – and a management team a little too easily persuaded by the fighter and his willingness. Since Roberto Duran abandoned the lightweight title back in early 1978, Shane Mosley has to be considered the most dominant and accomplished fighter to campaign at 135. No, I didn't forget about Pernell Whitaker who I'd rate next after Mosley, followed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. I base this mainly on Mosley's level of opposition above lightweight superior compared to Whitaker and Mayweather. Of course the final chapter isn't complete on Mosley or Mayweather.

My high praise for Mosley stems from two schools of thought. First, he can fight. Throughout his career regardless of weight he's shown he can throw every punch in the book. Fighting as a lightweight he was exceptionally strong and could really punch with both hands. Add to that he's fast of hand and foot and could put two and three punch combinations together in rapid fire succession. When he's of the right mindset he could adapt to varying styles. His problem is/was harnessing the right mindset against physically bigger fighters.

There's no doubting Shanes's ability to take a punch. Due to his somewhat close to Ray Robinson mindset of trying to take his opponents head off with almost every punch, he is there to be hit back. Other than being in trouble in the second round against the undefeated Vernon Forrest in their first bout, he's never been close to being stopped.

Fighters – at least in this writer’s view are measured by whom they fought. Their record and opposition is the ultimate lie detector. I don't care how many fights they won or what their knockout percentage is. I care about who they beat and stopped. In that aspect, Mosley is unparalleled making the transition from lightweight through junior middleweight and the most successful at doing it since the great Roberto Duran.

Mosley never lost as a lightweight. Then between welterweight and junior middleweight in major fights went 11-5, losing to former or future champs Vernon Forrest, Winky Wright and Miguel Cotto by decision. Heading into their fights with Mosley, Forrest, Wright and Cotto were a combined 109-3 (97.3%).

Shane Mosley is without question an all-time great and his credentials are impeccable. His body of work holds up under any criteria and he's everything you'd want in a fighter who would've more than held his own during any era fighting between 135/147.

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Frank Lotierzo

Articles of 2009

UFC 108 Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva

Published

11 years ago

December 31, 2009

David A. Avila

Former champion Rashad Evans meets Brazil’s venerable Thiago Silva in a non-title belt that can lead to a return match with the current champ, but first things first.

Evans (15-1-1) and Silva (14-1) meet in Ultimate Fighting Championship 108 in a light heavyweight bout on Saturday Jan. 2, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A win by either fighter could result in a world title bid. The fight card is being shown on pay-per-view television.

Events can change quickly in the Octagon and anybody can beat anybody in the 205-pound weight division. Just ask Silva or Evans.

Silva and Evans are both experienced and can vouch firsthand about the capriciousness of fighting in MMA and especially as a light heavyweight. On one day this man can beat that man and on another day, that man can beat this man. It can make you absolutely daffy.

Evans, 30, is the former UFC light heavyweight world champion who only defended his title on one occasion and lost by vicious knockout to current champion Lyoto Machida of Brazil. It’s the only defeat on his record.

Silva, 27, is a well-rounded MMA fighter from Sao Paolo, Brazil who is versed in jujitsu, Muy Thai and boxing. He can end a fight quickly in a choke hold just as easily as with a kick or a punch. His only loss came to who else: Machida.

Evans and Silva know a win can push open the door to a rematch with current UFC light heavyweight champion Machida.

“A win against Rashad would put me in the track against Lyoto,” said Silva, in a telephone conference call. “That's what – what I want to do.”

When Silva fought Machida the two Brazilians were both undefeated and feared in the MMA world. The fight took place in Las Vegas and with one second remaining in the first round a perfectly timed punch knocked Silva unconscious.

“I was humbled big time, man,” says Silva who fought Machida in January 2009. “I learned a lot from that fight. I think I can correct the mistakes from that fight, not overlooking anything else right now, but just I want to get the chance to fight him again.”

For Evans it was a different circumstance. The upstate New Yorker held the UFC title and was defending it after stopping then champion Forrest Griffin by knockout. Still, many felt Machida was far too technically versed. Evans was stopped brutally in the second round.

“I've made it a point to not – to not get distracted on what I want to do, because you know Thiago (Silva) is a very hungry fighter,” said Evans who has not fought since losing the title to Machida last May. “My focus is just on Thiago so much. You know I don't want to overlook him, you know, not even a little bit.”

Dana White, president of UFC, says the winner of this fight could conceivably fight Machida in the near future. Evans and especially Silva are motivated by the open window.

“I learned a lot from that fight. I think I can correct the mistakes from that fight,” says Silva. “Not overlooking anything else right now, but I just want to get the chance to fight him again.”

What a prize. The winner gets to face the man who beat him: Machida.

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Articles of 2009

Paul Malignaggi Explains Why He Thinks Manny Has Used PEDs

Published

11 years ago

December 30, 2009

Michael Woods

In theory and in practice I am vehemently opposed to people tossing out unfounded allegations against someone. Supply evidence, then we can talk. But saying someone is using steroids, or EPO, or HGH, based on a theory, or your gut instinct….I have to consider, what if the allegation were thrown at me, and I was 100% innocent. I'd be mightily irked. And so too would you be.

Manny Pacquaio has been hammered from all sides with folks insinuating and coming right out with the contention that they think he's been cheating, that he's been using illegal performance enhancers to give him an edge in competition. Floyd Mayweather Sr, Paulie Malignaggi, Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron have either accused Manny, or insinuated that he's been using PEDs. One has to wonder, where's all this smoke coming from? Is it possible that there's fire lurking? That these folks aren't just lobbing unfounded barbs at Manny, that their allegations and hints aren't just sour grapes, or posturing, or a ploy to lure Manny into a fight?

By and large, there hasn't been much in the way of coverage from the standpoint of: what if Manny is using PEDs, or was using PEDs? I think that is rightly so; I'd be more comfortable if none of us trafficked in the innuendo and speculation, and worked within the realm of evidence, and facts. But it's out there, and a topic of conversation and speculation. Perhaps it's a symptom and sign of the times we live in…

TSS reached out to Malignaggi, just off a solid win in his Dec. 12 rematch with Juan Diaz. The Brooklyn-based pugilist has never been shy about speaking his peace (I picture him exiting his mom's womb and barking at the labor and delivery crew to get the room cleaned up, stat!), and he shared with TSS what he bases his allegations, which he's careful to label opinion, upon.

First off, Malignaggi is of the belief that if the Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations are at a fatal impasse, Yuri Foreman, and not he, will get the coveted date with Pacquiao. Malignaggi has been mentioned as stand-in for Mayweather.

He started off by insisting that ” I have nothing against Pacquiao” but then went from mellow to madman in a 30 second span.

First off, the boxer wonders why Team Pacquiao isn't going after big-time newspapers, with deep pocketed owners, for libel, for insinuating that Pacquiao is drug cheat.

“If Pacquiao's so sue happy, why not sue the New York Daily News?” he asked. “Maybe they know the steroid allegations are true.”

By and large, Malignaggi thinks it is impossible, utterly impossible, for a boxer to put on 15 or more pounds between March 15, 2008, when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez and weighed 129 pounds at the weigh in, and Nov. 14, 2009 when he fought Miguel Cotto and was 144 pounds at the weigh in, and more on fight night.

“It's not natural looking,” Malignaggi said. But, I countered, what if Manny's supremely blessed, that unlike some other fighters who go up in weight, and look a bit bloated, and lack definition, he's just a special creature?

“He's not supremely blessed,” Maliganngi said. “I know body builders. They can't put on 17 or whatever pounds of muscle in a year. It's not doable, in my opinion. These are my speculations, my opinions based on certain factual evidence. Does his weight gain look normal to you? And his head looks like it has blown up in size, too.”

I offered to Malignaggi that perhaps we should be attacking the system, if we believe it to be lacking, rather than the individual.

“We can blame the system a little bit, but if you were Manny, wouldn't you want to leave no doubt? Or speculation?” said Maliganngi, who believes that by not agreeing to the terms set forth by Team Mayweather, and opposing a blood test within 30 days of the bout, Pacquaio appears guilty.

Pacquiao has agreed to take 3 blood tests: the first during the week of the kickoff news conference in early January, the second random test to be conducted no later than 30 days before the fight, and a final test after the bout. A video making the rounds from the HBO 24/7 series shows Pacquiao submitting to a blood test two or three weeks before he was due to fight Ricky Hatton, and that has cast doubt on Team Pacquiao's stance that Manny is disinclined to get a blood test too close to a bout, for fear he may be weakened. Originally, it was reported in error that that test was taken 14 days before the Hatton bout, but subsequent reports pegged the test as being taken 24 days before the scrap. Malignaggi feels Pacquiao has been caught lying, that the report from Team Pacquiao that he “has difficulty taking blood” is a cover story. “Why is he effing lying?” Malignaggi said, heatedly.

The New Yorker doesn't believe too many fighters in the lighter weight classes are using PEDs, but thinks usage isn't uncommon in the heavyweight division. “That's hard to do and make weight,” he said.

The question is asked of Malignaggi: why does the issue make him so steamed?

“I don't like cheaters,” he said. “This is not baseball. You're not just hitting home runs. You have to worry about peoples' lives. Miguel Cotto in my opinion has been beaten by two cheaters. Manny if he's cheating is taking away from guys who are doing things the right way. His team is reneging on their words.”

And what if you're wrong, Malignaggi? What if Manny is clean, and you are hurting his rep with these allegations?

“I bet everything I own that I'm not,” he said. “But we'll never find out. Hey, I would take the test in a heartbeat. I would want people to know I'm clean. He wants to leave doubts!?? His entire legacy is being questioned, he's willing to hurt his legacy and leave $40 million on the table?”

Maliganngi, after reminding TSS that he was correct in predicting he'd be gamed by judges in the first fight with Diaz, insisted that he isn't singling out Pacquiao for a personal vendetta. “”I've never had anything against him. But that's enough now. I call it like I see it.”

What about those who'd say he's just trying to anger Pacquiao, to lure him into a fight?

“No. I expected he'd take the random tests to get this fight. No way I thought he'd throw away everything. That blew me away. It was cool to have my name mentioned.”

Malignaggi thinks the boxing media has dropped the ball, and not exercised due diligence in examining the possibility that Manny has used PEDs.

“I understand most people like Manny, and not Floyd. Just cause that's the case doesn't mean Manny might not be cheating. It's nothing to do with him personally. But I call a spade a spade. Too many people avoid the possibilities because Manny's a likable person. He's got that front, his country loves him. That front works like crazy. Floyd plays the bad guy, but he's natural. Just don't downplay the fact that Manny might be cheating. You have to open your eyes and at least be willing to look at it. This is bigger than me. The fact that the fight is not being made, you have to question the integrity of Pacquiao.”

Malignaggi then offered an analogy to the Manny-refusing-to-be-subjected-to multiple-random-drug-tests prior-to-a-fight-with-Mayweather deal. “It reminds me of the drunk guy who's pulled over at 3 AM. He has a field sobriety test, the cop knows he's drunk, he looks and acts drunk. But he refuses a breathalyzer test. That don't mean the cop don't haul him to the police station.”

I reiterate…I don't think anyone should be casting aspersions based on circumstantial evidence. But with so many people ganging up on Manny, I think fight fans are owed some details on why people are accusing Pacman of using PEDs.

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Articles of 2009

Ten Boxing Wishes For 2010

Published

11 years ago

December 30, 2009

Ralph Gonzalez

As 2009 comes to a close, one reflects on what went well and what went wrong during the year in boxing. There were many highlights. Pacquiao vs. Cotto and Showtime’s Super Six tournament were part of the best that boxing had to offer. But there were some low points too therefore the industry has some work to do in order to keep generating fans. Here are some suggestions for 2010:

10. Better pay per view cards

Paying 40 to 50 bucks to watch the main event gets old real quick. Why do we have to sit through a horrible under-card to get to the main course? It’s like being fed spam appetizers before the Thanksgiving turkey. It seems that the pay per view promoters just don’t get it. Are they watching what they put on or do they only watch the “big fight” as everyone else is slowly being conditioned to do so?

9. Time to make Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight

Okay, I understand he’s the son of one of the greatest fighters that ever lived. But he’s had 42 fights against low to mid level competition and has never managed to look spectacular. It’s time to throw the 23 year old out of the nest to see if he can fly. My suggestion is a fight against Sergio Mora or maybe even Yuri Foreman. Neither of these guys can punch. They may outbox Junior but they won’t totally humiliate him.

8. No more ridiculous Pay Per View mismatches

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez should’ve never been made. It was a ridiculous fight when it was announced and it was more ridiculous when it took place. Unable to bring Manny Pacquiao to the bargaining table for a third match against Juan Manuel Marquez, someone figured that pairing up the 135 pound champion against a natural 147 pounder like Mayweather would be a great idea. The pay per view generated over a million buys but the fact that millions of people were treated to an incredibly boring mismatch is what’s truly worrisome. I can guarantee you one thing about this card. The sport of boxing lost fans once the show was over and done with. Talk about short term thinking.

7. Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola shows up for a fight in amazing shape

It was painful to see Chris Arreola take a beating from the Ukrainian giant, Vitali Klitscho. The champion certainly earned his “Dr. Ironfist” moniker as he plowed his powerful shots into the former #1 WBC heavyweight contender’s face. He reddened and bloodied the young Mexican American with an assortment of weapons and foot movement seldom seen on a six foot seven inch heavyweight. Arreola was brave and unrelenting in battle. He never stopped coming forward and took chances when he could. His work in the ring at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles wasn’t the problem. Where Arreola let himself down was outside the ring. His unwillingness to condition himself into a finely tuned athlete cost him certain immortality as the first ever heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Arreola has the heart and skills but it was his mental fortitude that broke down. Anyone who’s followed the Riverside fighter knows that his best weight is somewhere in the 230 pound range. It certainly isn’t at the 252 pounds he registered on the scale at the Staples Center. Those fifteen to twenty extra pounds might have made all the difference in the world. Maybe he would’ve been a little quicker, maybe he could’ve sustained a faster pace in order to tire out the champion. In his most recent fight against Brian Minto, Arreola weighed in at a career high 263. It looks like “The Nightmare” isn’t willing to change for anyone. At this pace, the only nightmares he’ll be providing will be to the management of Hometown Buffets all across Riverside. Just kidding “Nightmare”!

6. More respect for the lighter weights

Real boxing fans know that the most exciting fighters in the sport are usually found toiling in weight divisions south of 154 pounds. Pacquiao, Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Edwin Valero, Israel Vazquez, Juan Ma Lopez, Vic Darchinyan, Rafael Marquez and countless others have been the real driving force behind this sport. It’s those great fighters that have made boxing fanatics out of casual fans. The heavyweights may get all the money and glory but it’s the little guys who make the sport shine and it’s time they received greater compensation. It’s dismaying to think that a mediocre heavyweight can make three or four times as much as the great Rafael Marquez.

5. An American Heavyweight champion

Speaking of heavyweights, two Americans tried and failed at dethroning Vitali Klitschko this year. Both Kevin Johnson and Chris Arreola did their best to wrestle the belt away from “Dr. Klitschko” but came up short since they were easily outclassed. What happened to the great American Heavyweight? Where’s our new Joe Frazier or Ali? Even a new Gerry Cooney or a Ken Norton would do at this point. I’ve got a feeling that the only way we’re going to see an American champion is if Klitschko retires. My money is on Arreola. Although undisciplined and rough outside the ring, he’s got tons (no pun intended) of natural talent. He’s without a doubt the most talented American heavyweight on the scene.

4. More ShoBox

The Showtime Cable network gave us the best boxing on TV for the price of a cable television subscription. Their ShoBox series has been a proven hit for Senior VP of Sports Programming Ken Hershman. The concept is simple yet brilliant. Match up two up and comers with great records and let’s see what happens. Sometimes the results are surprising. Many have passed the ShoBox test and went on to bigger and better things. Others have been exposed as having padded records and eventually their careers stall and take a dive.

3. More safety in Mexico so I can attend a show without a gun battle breaking out

Having lived near the Tijuana border all my life I’m dismayed at the war zone that the city has evolved into. Every day there are reports of shootings fueled by the drug war trade. Believe it or not, there was a time when Tijuana was safe and most wouldn’t have thought twice about crossing the border for some seafood and nightlife. No more. Having covered several boxing cards on Revolucion Avenue many years ago, I got a taste of just how important the sport is to Mexican fans. It’s also important to me but not that important. For now I’ll stick to covering shows at the Pechanga Casino and in the less dangerous city of L.A. I never thought I’d say that.

2. Pac Man vs. Mayweather

This is the fight everyone wants to see. Seeing how Mayweather dominated Pac Man’s arch enemy, Juan Manuel Marquez, you have to wonder if the Filipino can handle Lil’ Floyd’s speed and size. One thing is for sure, betting against Pacquiao doesn’t usually work out for me. It never has. There’s no future in it. So if the fight gets done it’s Pacquiao by TKO in ten.

1. And finally

One final wish is reserved for all the readers of TheSweetScience.com I wish you all a healthy and happy 2010. Thank you for your continued loyalty to the site. It’s very much appreciated.

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