For many years, Winky Wright looked for respect and a big payday. His first opportunity against Fernando Vargas ended in defeat as he lost a close decision that many felt could have gone his way. Given a second chance against Mosley, he did not fail and became the best 154-pound fighter in the world.
I wrote the following before their last fight, “Wright is one of those fighters who is not very pleasing to the eye. A patient and awkward fighter, he makes his opponent look bad but it is not that he looks any smoother… I like Mosley for he is one of those fighters who are good for boxing. But over the past three years, he has not been the same fighter that he was at in the lower weights.... He has looked tentative and loading up on power shots.”
In their first fight, Wright took command early and dominated the fight throughout. Mosley chased but was ineffective as he was reduced to throwing one punch at a time. Just as he could never get into a rhythm against Vernon Forrest in their two fights, he couldn’t against Wright. The hand speed that served him well against smaller opponents in the lower weights disappeared.
Will a rematch be any different? Mosley is now teamed up with Joe Goossen after firing his father but will it matter? Goossen rebuilt James Toney career and Mosley is hoping that lightening will strike twice.
Boxing observers seem to be unanimous that Wright-Mosley II will end the same as their first fight. I will join the hive and say that this is Wright fight to lose. However, we should not count out Mosley. In their first fight, Mosley pursued and Wright, the craftsman that he is, snapped right jabs and left cross to Mosley head and body. His accuracy bothered Mosley and Mosley found himself walking into barrages of punches to try to land one haymaker- a haymaker that never came close to coming.
What can Mosley do to change things? For one, he needs to move side to side and box. Use his hand speed to get inside the awkward Wright. Mosley actually have a reach advantage despite being two inches shorter so if he can penetrate Wright defenses, then this fight can have a different ending.
In their first fight, Wright took control and showed no fear of the moment. Wright gained Mosley respect and kept boxing throughout the fight. As I mention before their first fight, “Wright is the natural-154 pounder and it is Mosley, who has come up in weight.”
In his fights against De La Hoya, Mosley was able to get inside of the taller fighter and fight effectively. Against Wright, he never got the chance to punish Wright on the inside. The key for Mosley is to show the same ferocity that he did against De La Hoya in the twelfth round during their first fight or the final four rounds of their second fight. Mosley can’t allow Wright to fight from the outside and control the pace. If he does, he will lose another decision.
For both men, this is a big fight. If Wright wins, then he will be in the mix for a big money fight against Bernard Hopkins. As for Mosley, this is his career at stake. Lose and Mosley’s career suffers a devastating blow. This is Mosley final big shot.
So can Mosley pull off the upset? Yes. Will he? I say no.
