Mosley-Mayorga Presser Erupts Into Bedlam in L.A.

INGLEWOOD-Ricardo Mayorga: Two words that equate to mayhem in the boxing world.

Whenever the Nicaraguan madcap has agreed to a challenge with a top rated fighter, out pours the shenanigans, wordplay, cutting comments and downright psycho behavior that has made him one of the most colorful prizefighters in the last 50 years.

Inside the hallowed walls of the Inglewood Forum, Shane Mosley and his new company spokesperson and fiancée Trista discovered face to face what Mayorga brings to the table. In a matter of seconds a rather amusing press conference erupted into bedlam.

“I want you to kick his a##,” said Trista as tears erupted while she fired a shoe and other objects at Mayorga.

Why?

Mayorga slapped her in the butt and Mosley erupted on the surprised Nicaraguan with lightning force. I didn’t know Mosley could move that fast. Mosley was grabbed and held back so father Jack Mosley stepped in with his guard high ready to exchange. Junior stepped in to serve as a buffer for everyone. Mayorga stood staring as if surprised by the reaction.

“I want you to kill him Shane!” cried Trista while tossing anything she could get her hands on.

It was just Mayorga being Mayorga.

Mosley (47-9-1, 39 Kos) has more than three battlefronts going at once. But on Saturday he meets Mayorga (31-8-1, 25 Kos) in the ring at the Inglewood Forum on Saturday Aug. 29. The bout is scheduled to take place in the middleweight division. The Nicaraguan looks a little heavy.

But the fight is on.

It looked like Don King was going to slip the rug from under Mosley’s promotion when he went to court in Miami to stop the fight. Mosley and Mayorga’s attorneys headed to Florida and squashed the attempt. The fight will go on.

The other bear trap was set by Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions which decided to put its fight card in the same town on the same day. It could have happened anywhere in the world or on any other date but they chose to scuttle Mosley’s fight card. Mosley has opted to move forward anyway.

Mayorga is a perfect fit for Mosley but he always comes with bad boy hang ups and devilish behavior. Remember when he called for Oscar De La Hoya wife? Or when he insulted Fernando Vargas? What about his antics before fighting Felix Trinidad. Since the first meeting with the late Vernon Forrest the Nicaraguan has brought his colorful and sometimes destructive antics along for the ride. Nobody riles a crowd better than Mayorga.

But people forget he can fight. He has killer power in both hands and a wild eyed style that gives opponents problems. When he last fought Mosley in September 2008 people forget that he was ahead on the score cards before Mosley knocked him out with a second remaining.

If anyone thinks this is an easy fight for Mosley they’re mistaken. While Mosley was recuperating from injuries Mayorga had two fights ending in knockout wins. It doesn’t matter that the opposition was inferior. He was in training.

“Say a prayer for Shane. In three rounds it will end. One round if he’s brave enough,” said Mayorga. “He can be just a promoter after this fight.”

“I’m going to kill Shane,” said Mayorga. “Mosley is done.”

Mosley heard the whole conversation and the translation with his usual cool.

Everything was good until the face off. When Trista maneuvered the fighters in a good position Mayorga apparently slapped her ass and Mosley erupted. Chairs, shoes and microphones flew in the air. It was instantaneous. Trista was crying and yelling hysterically. If it was a set up and staged beforehand, she must be the best actor in L.A.

Mosley was antsy before and after the altercation.

“I’m too fast I hit too hard,” said Mosley. “I can’t wait until Saturday so I can knock someone out.”

It won’t go past three rounds. Both will come out swinging.

Female world title fight

Mexico’s Yulihan Avila, the new IBF super bantamweight world champion, defends the title against Oxnard’s Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea.

Avila (12-2) recently captured the title against Carolina Gutierrez with a dominant performance to win by unanimous decision in Argentina. That must have been domination.

“This is my first defense of the title,” said Avila, a striking brunette who resembles a younger Mariana Juarez. “I didn’t come all the way here to lose the title.”

Shea (24-2) has extensive experience fighting Mexican girls. For years the Irish-Mexican girl originally from the Bronx who is fluent in Spanish has fought and defeated Mexican girls in Mexico. Now she’s fighting in her home state and relishes the opportunity.

“I’ve had my eye on this title for a year,” said Shea, 34. “I’m hungry. I hope you can hear that in my voice.”

Hungry prospect

Joel Diaz Jr. from Palmdale, Ca. meets Mexico’s Luis “Vampiro” Arceo in a lightweight clash set for 10 rounds.

Diaz, who trains in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez and Ben Lira, has erupted on the fight scene with his crashing style of prizefighting. In his last match he destroyed another Mexican veteran Alejandro Rodriguez in four rounds. That was a junior welterweight match.

Arceo is a veteran of 45 pro bouts. He’s faced many rising prospects ranging from Josesito Lopez back in 2007 to Jose Zepeda two years ago in his role as a gatekeeper for lightweights.

“It’s an important fight,” Arceo said. “I hope to come out the winner.”

Diaz was politically correct when talking about his next opponent.

“You don’t want to discourage anybody in the ring. Anything can happen,” Diaz said. “August 29 I’ll be 20 and 0 and looking for a title shot after that.”

Tickets are still available. The fight card will also be shown on pay-per-view.

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