MOSLEY?S SPEED KILLED MARGARITO
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Jan 2009
Laredo, Texas ? Veteran, hall-of-fame career, fighter ?Sugar? Shane Mosley (46-5) 39 KO?s won via shocking 9th Rd TKO over current WBA Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito (37-6) 27 KO?s, in front of a record breaking crowd of 20, 820 in attendance, at the jam-packed Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The fight was shown live on regular HBO programming - World Championship Boxing- last night.
Recent Notable Fights
The ?Tijuana Tornado? Antonio Margarito, the betting-crowd favorite, defeated top welterweight Miguel Cotto, in an epic 11th round TKO demolition job, last July 26, 2008 at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shane Mosley had knocked out Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua in the last second of the 12th round last September 27, 2008 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Issues and Distractions
Minutes before the fight started, HBO announcer Jim Lampley reported that the California Boxing Commission representatives found an illegal pad which hardened after being wet, hence, Margarito?s hands had to be wrapped three times before being considered legally wrapped. Mosley?s issues outside the ring were brought up as possible distractions, which were his recent divorce, controversy over past-alleged use of illegal performance enhancing substances and the split in his corner by his Dad, who was his long time trainer. None of that mattered during the fight where Mosley demonstrated an astonishing feat of his boxing skills.
Round by Round Action (Lederman Scores)
Rd 1 ? Mosley was more aggressive and noticeably quicker than Margarito landing several body shots including left hooks to the face. (10-9 Mosley)
Rd 2 - Margarito kept coming forward, throwing several punches then missing some. Mosley countered and would hit occasionally then either clings on to Margarito or kept his distance. Both fighters threw a lot of jabs. Crowd chants ? Mexico, Mexico! (10-9 Mosley)
Rd 3 ? Mosley showed superior hand speed. Margarito rarely stepped back and landed his trademark uppercut. The Tijuana Tornado complained of head butts. Mosley countered with hard right hands to head and some body shots. Margarito threw 38 power punches and landed 11 while Mosley threw 25 landed 15, which was 60% accurate. (10-9 Mosley)
Rd 4 ? Margarito kept coming forward but Mosley would bounce right back. Margarito showed he could take Mosley?s hard punches. However, effective combination punches came from Mosley with a few right hands to the chin. (10-9 Mosley)
Rd 5 and 6 ? Margarito threw combinations but unable to hit Mosley with good, solid punches. Mosley continued to hit Margarito with crisp, effective punches. Margarito kept getting beaten to the punch and later on, was mostly in a defensive mode. Margarito looked weary at the end of round 6. (Both rounds 10-9 Mosley)
Rd 7 ? Margarito?s best round in the fight. During their exchange of leathers, Margarito landed some hard shots. Margarito looked like he was getting back into the fight (10-9 Margarito)
Rd 8 ? Mosley continued to control the fight either by keeping his distance or by being close to Margarito, thus avoiding his long arm punches. Mosley backed him up with short combination punches. Margarito threw a straight right, which missed, and Mosley countered with a right uppercut and a left hook that stunned Margarito. The Tijuana Tornado was now visibly hurt. Mosley connected with another left hook and combination punches sent the Tijuana Tornado to the canvas. Crowd was up on their feet and Margarito survived the mandatory 8 count crawling up to his feet. Mosley came in for the kill but bell saved Margarito. He staggered moving back to his corner. (10-8 Mosley)
Rd 9 ? Mosley put Margarito into the ropes then peppered him with body and facial shots. Margarito?s legs became wobbly and didn?t answer Mosley?s power punches. Referee had seen enough and waved hands to stop the fight at 43 seconds of round 9. Mosley landed 21 blows and Margarito never landed a single one. (Mosley won the bout via TKO Rd 9)
Tale of the Tape/ Punch Stats
Margarito was younger, 30 yrs. old, with height - 5? 11?, reach of 72? who weighed-in at 146 lbs while Mosley, aged 37, was 5?9? with arm length of 74,? weighed-in at the 147 lb limit. Both men entered the ring at 160 lbs. even. Margarito landed 108 after throwing 485 punches, which was 22% while Mosley threw 507 total punches; landed 178 which was 35%. Mosley landed close to half of his power shots, which was 49%.
Post-fight Interview
Mosley said: ?I focused on the game plan?this was my night?It was an easy plan to do because Margarito fights hard and fights one way?He is a great champion?a warrior?. It takes a special person to beat him.?
Margarito stated thru an interpreter: ?I give credit to Mosley who is a great champion?my corner wanted to stop the fight and I wanted to continue?I am very happy for all that came to support me?I had a bad night.?
Another memorable night showing boxing is alive ? it was an impressive upset! Two elite fighters in the welterweight division waged war inside the squared circle, each one belonging to rival companies ? Shane Mosley of Golden Boy Promotions and Antonio Margarito from Top Rank. This was the second fight that Mosley won at the Staples Center; the first one was in June 2000 when he beat Oscar De La Hoya. Congratulations to the new WBA Welterweight Champion of the World ? Shane Mosley.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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