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Let’s not forget We Have Mosley – Margarito to Pump Us Up
Posted: 2009-01-23-23:00
BY: Diane Bennett
With all the discussion in the boxing community centering on the Hatton – Pacquiao on again off again potential clash on May 2nd many have over looked the exciting bout between Mosley and Margarito on January 24th. Once again it is Golden Boy battling Top Rank with a legends career on the line. A Margarito victory can send him on his way to a summer repeat with Miguel Cotto while sending Mosley into retirement alongside fellow Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. Our ring side experts give their views and predictions on what should be a classic match –up Saturday night:
Dan Horgan
I think Mosley has slowed down just enough so that Margarito can catch him. A prime Mosley would have had the lateral movement and hand speed to negate Margarito's power, but a 37-year-old "Sugar" Shane won't. I like Margarito to win the fight's inevitable exchanges and stop Mosley late -- let's say in the 11th round.
Rick Assad
Honest, open and friendly to fans and reporters alike, if Shane Mosley didn't make his living inside a boxing ring, he'd probably work at a public relations firm. There's not a question he won't answer, an autograph he won't sign, or a picture he won't take. This fun-loving and care-free attitude changes drastically, however, when the 37-year-old Mosley is preparing for a fight, which he's doing. On Jan. 24th at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, Mosley will meet hard-hitting and fast-charging Antonio Margarito, the current World Boxing Association welterweight title holder. Mosley owns a ring record of 45-5-0 with 38 knockouts, and has never been knocked out. Mosley's resume will someday earn him a place in the Boxing Hall of Fame, but it won't be enough to get him past Margarito, who in July, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, made easy work of the then undefeated welterweight king Miguel Cotto. Margarito (37-5-0 and 27 KO's) can take a punch, and his style is to come forward. Think Roberto Duran in his prime. Well, that's the 30-year-old Margarito right now, and for anyone facing this soon-to-be Mexican legend, this can't be good news. In that fight, Cotto was able to tag Margarito numerous times in the early rounds, but this did nothing to deter him from coming in. Margarito is always in attack mode, and will be against Mosley - the only man to have beaten Oscar De La Hoya twice. It should be noted that three of Margarito's losses came within the first dozen bouts. Since that time, Margarito, who has a two-inch height advantage over Mosley, has lost only twice - to undefeated Paul Williams, in July, 2007, and Daniel Santos, in the fall of 2004. Mosley is clever, savvy and tough, which will allow him to weather the early storm. It will start getting dicey beginning in the seventh round. Look for a technical knockout in the ninth round.
Carl Hewitt
Rest assured that as ferocious as Antonio Margarito is, there will be no knockout in this fight, or anything even close to it! Most fight fans seem to forget that Margarito's strength isn't his punching power; it's his relentlessness and ability to finish any opponent he gets in trouble. Mosley has a very sturdy chin and is one of the strongest welterweights we've seen in recent years. And he's not overly susceptible to the uppercut, one of Margarito's best punches along the ropes. I'm leaning towards Margarito by Unanimous Decision, but it will be close. Mosley will make him work even harder for the win than Cotto did.
Steve Hobden
I can't possibly see a way that Shane Mosley can win this fight. Especially at this stage of his career. Mosley has had trouble with tall fighters in the past. I keep thinking back to his fights with Vernon Forrest where he was convincingly beaten on points. Margarito is almost identical in terms of height and reach and I see him creating a lot of problems for Shane. I wasn't impressed with Mosley's most recent performance against Ricardo Mayorga, who was unlucky to get caught with that left hook in the dying seconds of the fight. Margarito's last performance against Cotto was sensational and I think this performance will be no different. This fight will be similar to Margarito's fight with Cotto. Shane will have some success early on but will eventually slow under the constant pressure from Margarito. As soon as Shane's footwork begins to wilt, Margarito will force the pace and dish out a beating in the later rounds. I think Shane's corner will pull him out around the 10th or 11th round. Margarito by T.K.O
Albert Alvarez
I am expecting Mosley/Margarito to be an exciting fight, many are counting Mosley out due to the fact that they felt he looked sluggish in his last second knock out win over Ricardo Mayorga. The reason for that sluggish look had a whole lot to do with Mayorga hitting then clinching Mosley to stop him before he gets going. Since when have we known for Margarito to be a clincher? I am picking Margarito to win the fight on pure aggression in this one, I feel that for Mosley to win this fight he would have to box Margarito the way Cotto did in the first 6 rounds of the fight, Mosley must however add more body shots than Cotto did and Mosley must also be able to hit on the move, in other words Mosley at this stage would have to fight the perfect fight to beat Margarito... I see Margarito winning by UD.
Dr Baio
2009 is going to start just like 2008 ended, with another big lose for Golden boy promotions. Come January 24, 2009 Margarito is going to show Mosley just how he was able to put down the once indestructible Miguel Cotto. I predict, just like the last few fights of 2008, Mosley's corner is going to have to throw in the towel. I give him 6 rounds before the punishment Antonio is going to give him sets in. Golden boy may be a great promotional company, but its time for a new generation of fighters to get their chance.
Rota Em
"I had to think long and hard, but I'm going with my heart on this one. I've always been a Mosley fan and I think the 37 year old can pull it off against the monstrous younger, Margarito. I'd really like to see "Sugar" Shane Mosley let his hands go from the opening bell. Oscar showed that waiting isn't an old man's game sometimes. Golden Boy staff will be 1-1 after January 24th. Bernard Hopkins turns 44 years old in a couple days so opportunities of this caliber might come few and far in between from here on out. I'm hoping this one stays INSIDE the distance, but I keep getting flashes of a decision win (for Mosley of course). Considering they both always hear the bell on their feet, it wouldn't be hard to believe they can slug it out for thirty-six minutes."
Robert Epstein
Sitting ringside at Cotto- Margarito last summer it was one of the best boxing matches I ever saw. Watching the way Margarito dismantled Cotto, I instantaneously knew that Margarito beyond a reasonable doubt was a wrecking machine. Margarito just walked through everything Cotto could throw at him, he displayed incredible discipline with a masterful attack. I can not see Margarito losing to Mosley he will be able to absorb Sugar’s punches and administer a powerful offensive attack as well. Margarito will wear down Mosley and KO him between the 8th and 10th rounds.
Rizwaan Zahid
A clash of styles is always interesting and the question as always is whether the old man can pull of the win. But let's look back to the recent performances of "old men". Hopkins embarrassed Pavlik and after four years Vitali Klitschko hammered Samuel Peter. Many thought then when Cotto fought Mosley, Shane would be knocked out. Not only did he go the distance, but he lost a razor thin decision and many thought he won the fight. Now, saying that Mosley will knock out Margarito like he boldly predicted is a bit ambitious, but that's Shane. Styles make fights and it would be unfair to write off Mosley in this fight. He may not be as fast as he once was, but he can still hang around with the best of them, and if Cotto had some success in boxing Margarito, Mosley the faster fighter of the two, should be able to do the same. Margarito has the volume, youth and hunger on his side though, and expect the younger fighter to take the later rounds and cruise to a comfortable decision where both fighters have their moments. In the end, it may be a respectful and hard working performance for "Sugar" Shane Mosley to go out on.
DJ Carter
The difference between these two, Mosley is a boxer that can fight and Margarito is a fighter that has not proven in my eyes that he can box. At first when I heard of this match, Mosley-Forrest I & II came to mind. Shane has come a long way since both of those defeats. I don't expect it to be a brawl. Mosley will play it smart fighting technically but slowly breaking his opponent down. I do not foresee a knockout, I predict Mosley will outpoint Margarito to a decision win.
Diane Bennett
Both boxers are tremendous competitors and each has special qualities which make them tops in the sport. I just can not see Mosley handling the straight forward attacking style of Margarito which we know now differs from the Cotto attack. Margarito is just too powerful for Mosley and should be able to take control of the fight in the middle to late rounds, Mosley will be in defensive mode. Margarito should walk out of the Staples Center with a majority decision.
Last chance to predict the winner and win $100
Posted: 2009-01-23-23:00
BY: Diane Bennett
With all the discussion in the boxing community centering on the Hatton – Pacquiao on again off again potential clash on May 2nd many have over looked the exciting bout between Mosley and Margarito on January 24th. Once again it is Golden Boy battling Top Rank with a legends career on the line. A Margarito victory can send him on his way to a summer repeat with Miguel Cotto while sending Mosley into retirement alongside fellow Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. Our ring side experts give their views and predictions on what should be a classic match –up Saturday night:
Dan Horgan
I think Mosley has slowed down just enough so that Margarito can catch him. A prime Mosley would have had the lateral movement and hand speed to negate Margarito's power, but a 37-year-old "Sugar" Shane won't. I like Margarito to win the fight's inevitable exchanges and stop Mosley late -- let's say in the 11th round.
Rick Assad
Honest, open and friendly to fans and reporters alike, if Shane Mosley didn't make his living inside a boxing ring, he'd probably work at a public relations firm. There's not a question he won't answer, an autograph he won't sign, or a picture he won't take. This fun-loving and care-free attitude changes drastically, however, when the 37-year-old Mosley is preparing for a fight, which he's doing. On Jan. 24th at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, Mosley will meet hard-hitting and fast-charging Antonio Margarito, the current World Boxing Association welterweight title holder. Mosley owns a ring record of 45-5-0 with 38 knockouts, and has never been knocked out. Mosley's resume will someday earn him a place in the Boxing Hall of Fame, but it won't be enough to get him past Margarito, who in July, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, made easy work of the then undefeated welterweight king Miguel Cotto. Margarito (37-5-0 and 27 KO's) can take a punch, and his style is to come forward. Think Roberto Duran in his prime. Well, that's the 30-year-old Margarito right now, and for anyone facing this soon-to-be Mexican legend, this can't be good news. In that fight, Cotto was able to tag Margarito numerous times in the early rounds, but this did nothing to deter him from coming in. Margarito is always in attack mode, and will be against Mosley - the only man to have beaten Oscar De La Hoya twice. It should be noted that three of Margarito's losses came within the first dozen bouts. Since that time, Margarito, who has a two-inch height advantage over Mosley, has lost only twice - to undefeated Paul Williams, in July, 2007, and Daniel Santos, in the fall of 2004. Mosley is clever, savvy and tough, which will allow him to weather the early storm. It will start getting dicey beginning in the seventh round. Look for a technical knockout in the ninth round.
Carl Hewitt
Rest assured that as ferocious as Antonio Margarito is, there will be no knockout in this fight, or anything even close to it! Most fight fans seem to forget that Margarito's strength isn't his punching power; it's his relentlessness and ability to finish any opponent he gets in trouble. Mosley has a very sturdy chin and is one of the strongest welterweights we've seen in recent years. And he's not overly susceptible to the uppercut, one of Margarito's best punches along the ropes. I'm leaning towards Margarito by Unanimous Decision, but it will be close. Mosley will make him work even harder for the win than Cotto did.
Steve Hobden
I can't possibly see a way that Shane Mosley can win this fight. Especially at this stage of his career. Mosley has had trouble with tall fighters in the past. I keep thinking back to his fights with Vernon Forrest where he was convincingly beaten on points. Margarito is almost identical in terms of height and reach and I see him creating a lot of problems for Shane. I wasn't impressed with Mosley's most recent performance against Ricardo Mayorga, who was unlucky to get caught with that left hook in the dying seconds of the fight. Margarito's last performance against Cotto was sensational and I think this performance will be no different. This fight will be similar to Margarito's fight with Cotto. Shane will have some success early on but will eventually slow under the constant pressure from Margarito. As soon as Shane's footwork begins to wilt, Margarito will force the pace and dish out a beating in the later rounds. I think Shane's corner will pull him out around the 10th or 11th round. Margarito by T.K.O
Albert Alvarez
I am expecting Mosley/Margarito to be an exciting fight, many are counting Mosley out due to the fact that they felt he looked sluggish in his last second knock out win over Ricardo Mayorga. The reason for that sluggish look had a whole lot to do with Mayorga hitting then clinching Mosley to stop him before he gets going. Since when have we known for Margarito to be a clincher? I am picking Margarito to win the fight on pure aggression in this one, I feel that for Mosley to win this fight he would have to box Margarito the way Cotto did in the first 6 rounds of the fight, Mosley must however add more body shots than Cotto did and Mosley must also be able to hit on the move, in other words Mosley at this stage would have to fight the perfect fight to beat Margarito... I see Margarito winning by UD.
Dr Baio
2009 is going to start just like 2008 ended, with another big lose for Golden boy promotions. Come January 24, 2009 Margarito is going to show Mosley just how he was able to put down the once indestructible Miguel Cotto. I predict, just like the last few fights of 2008, Mosley's corner is going to have to throw in the towel. I give him 6 rounds before the punishment Antonio is going to give him sets in. Golden boy may be a great promotional company, but its time for a new generation of fighters to get their chance.
Rota Em
"I had to think long and hard, but I'm going with my heart on this one. I've always been a Mosley fan and I think the 37 year old can pull it off against the monstrous younger, Margarito. I'd really like to see "Sugar" Shane Mosley let his hands go from the opening bell. Oscar showed that waiting isn't an old man's game sometimes. Golden Boy staff will be 1-1 after January 24th. Bernard Hopkins turns 44 years old in a couple days so opportunities of this caliber might come few and far in between from here on out. I'm hoping this one stays INSIDE the distance, but I keep getting flashes of a decision win (for Mosley of course). Considering they both always hear the bell on their feet, it wouldn't be hard to believe they can slug it out for thirty-six minutes."
Robert Epstein
Sitting ringside at Cotto- Margarito last summer it was one of the best boxing matches I ever saw. Watching the way Margarito dismantled Cotto, I instantaneously knew that Margarito beyond a reasonable doubt was a wrecking machine. Margarito just walked through everything Cotto could throw at him, he displayed incredible discipline with a masterful attack. I can not see Margarito losing to Mosley he will be able to absorb Sugar’s punches and administer a powerful offensive attack as well. Margarito will wear down Mosley and KO him between the 8th and 10th rounds.
Rizwaan Zahid
A clash of styles is always interesting and the question as always is whether the old man can pull of the win. But let's look back to the recent performances of "old men". Hopkins embarrassed Pavlik and after four years Vitali Klitschko hammered Samuel Peter. Many thought then when Cotto fought Mosley, Shane would be knocked out. Not only did he go the distance, but he lost a razor thin decision and many thought he won the fight. Now, saying that Mosley will knock out Margarito like he boldly predicted is a bit ambitious, but that's Shane. Styles make fights and it would be unfair to write off Mosley in this fight. He may not be as fast as he once was, but he can still hang around with the best of them, and if Cotto had some success in boxing Margarito, Mosley the faster fighter of the two, should be able to do the same. Margarito has the volume, youth and hunger on his side though, and expect the younger fighter to take the later rounds and cruise to a comfortable decision where both fighters have their moments. In the end, it may be a respectful and hard working performance for "Sugar" Shane Mosley to go out on.
DJ Carter
The difference between these two, Mosley is a boxer that can fight and Margarito is a fighter that has not proven in my eyes that he can box. At first when I heard of this match, Mosley-Forrest I & II came to mind. Shane has come a long way since both of those defeats. I don't expect it to be a brawl. Mosley will play it smart fighting technically but slowly breaking his opponent down. I do not foresee a knockout, I predict Mosley will outpoint Margarito to a decision win.
Diane Bennett
Both boxers are tremendous competitors and each has special qualities which make them tops in the sport. I just can not see Mosley handling the straight forward attacking style of Margarito which we know now differs from the Cotto attack. Margarito is just too powerful for Mosley and should be able to take control of the fight in the middle to late rounds, Mosley will be in defensive mode. Margarito should walk out of the Staples Center with a majority decision.
Last chance to predict the winner and win $100
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