Shane Mosley Comes Up Short in Arizona

Shane Mosley – GLENDALE, AZ-Sugar Shane Mosley tried all night long for the knockout but the chin of Russia’s David Avanesyan could not be found.

Instead, Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KOs) retained the WBA interim welterweight title in front of more than 2,500 fans at the Gila River Arena. Mosley (49-10-1, 41 KOs) never could zero in on the chin of the titlist and now must rethink his future plans.

“He was a tough gritty fighter,” said Mosley, 44. “That’s how you have to be to be a champion.”

Before the fight, The Pomona fighter talked of luring the big name fighters, but on this day he was unable to corral the unknown champion in front of him.

“That’s how you get known by fighting and beating someone like me,” said Mosley. “That’s how I got known by beating Oscar De La Hoya.”

It was a frustrating night for Mosley and his fans who shouted his name several times throughout the fight.

The legendary Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran was in his corner giving instructions. But nothing seemed to work.

Avanesyan stuck to his game plan of clinching inside and hitting after they untangled. It was a good tactic and proved beneficial throughout the 12-round welterweight clash.

Mosley was most effective when he delivered rights to the body. But every time he connected the referee would admonish him for hitting low. Finally, in the 10^th round, a point was deducted from Mosley for an alleged low blow. That seemed to change the complexion of the fight for good.

In the past, the Pomona fighter was able to score late round knockouts like he did against Wilfredo Rivera in 1999, or against Ricardo Mayorga in 2008. Just this past December he repeated the feat against Patrick Lopez in Panama. That’s where he befriended that country’s most famous denizen Duran. But on this night, Mosley could never find the chin of Avanesyan.

“You know how I fight, I go for the knockout,” said Mosley. “Like they say, if you don’t knock the guy out, anybody can win.”

Two judges scored it 117-110 for Avanesyan another 114-113.

Mosley’s Hall of Fame advisor Duran felt his charge won the fight, or at least fought to a draw.

“No disrespect to the champion but I thought at least a draw,” said Duran. “But six eyes (three judges) are better than two.”

After the fight the fighters both hugged. Mosley had that look of a lottery player missing just one number to win the jackpot. On this night Avanesyan got the winning number. His next opponent figures to be WBA welterweight titlist Keith Thurman. Maybe Mosley is the winner after all.

“I don’t know what’s next. I have to go home and think about it,” said Mosley.

Other bouts

Shane Mosley Jr. (7-1, 5 KOs) out-fought Phoenix native Roberto Yong (5-8, 4 KOs) after six rounds in an entertaining super middleweight clash to win by majority decision. Mosley was simply busier though Yong connected many times throughout the fight. Mosley almost scored a knockdown against the native son in the final round.

“He was a sneaky guy. Very athletic,” said Mosley Jr. of  Yong in a fight that was televised live. “I got to be on the big stage on CBS Sports.”

Chicago’s Dimar Ortuz (11-0-2, 8 KOs) staggered Mexico’s Ricardo Campillo (9-10-1, 7 KOs) almost every round before winning by stoppage at 25 seconds of the sixth round of a cruiserweight fight. Ortuz entered the ring with the Panamanian and Colombian flags on his trunks and had Victor Duran, the son of Roberto Duran, in his corner.

Campillo was as awkward as they come but posed a dangerous threat with his punching. Ortuz almost floored him in the first, second and third rounds. Finally, a blistering combination sent Campillo staggering along the ropes in the sixth round and the referee stopped the fight.

“My corner told me I had to go all out,” said Ortuz. “This is a one-punch game. One punch can end your career.”

Clay Burns (4-1-1) ran over Tijuana’s Isaac Avalos (0-2) from the opening bell. Avalos didn’t look like he had ever boxed before and was manhandled by Burns. In the second round the Tijuana fighter was floored but got up to continue. The referee got a signal from Avalos corner to end the fight at 1:01 of the second round. Burns fights out of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Arizona’s Luis Olivares (11-0, 8 KOs) belted Colombia’s Manuel Herrera (21-20-1) around in the first round and then lowered the boom with a wicked right at 1:46 of the second round. Herrera got up too late and referee Richard Soto counted him out in the lightweight clash. Olivares fights out of Glendale.

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