LEGENDS OF THE FALL: ANTHONY MUNDINE V SHANE MOSLEY
By Gary Todd
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Oct 2013
ANTHONY MUNDINE V SHANE MOSLEY
23RD OF OCTOBER, 2013. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
If you look back at the sport of boxing in both Australia, and the united states, in the last 10 years, and think of a short list of fighters which immediately come to mind, in terms of super stardom status, and what they have achieved for themselves and for the popularity of the sport, then these two fighters would most certainly be on that list.
When Mundine made his debut as a professional fighter in 2000, he fought in front of a capacity, sold out, 12,000 arena, and he was the main event. Since that time, fighting big names such as Sven Ottke, Antwun Echols, Manny Siaca, Mikkel Kessler, Daniel Geale, Danny Green, Sam Soliman, and Bronko Mc Kart, Anthony Mundine has been packing them in, and has made millions of dollars along the way.
Shane Mosley started his professional career in 1993, but had been fighting all his young life as an amateur. Mosley was born to fight, and as he came up fighting 6 rounders, it was clear he was going to be a super star in the sport he loved.
Mosley captured his first world title in 1997, by out boxing the tough South African, Philip Holiday, for his IBF. Lightweight title, and from there he was a dominant force in that division, beating good fighters as John John Molina, Jesse James Leija, Golden Johnson, and John Brown.
Just as Mundine was packing them out in his debut fight in Sydney, Mosley would be fighting in his first mega fight against ?The Golden Boy?, Oscar De La Hoya.
Mosley had moved up in weight and class to challenge the American son, De La Hoya, and both of them turned it on for the thousands in Los Angeles. After 12 rounds, Mosley won the WBC welterweight title by a split decision.
Since that time, Mosley has won world titles in the light middleweight , and welterweight divisions, and he has shared the ring with a who?s who of world champions, and with a record of, wins 47 [ 39 kos] losses 8 and 1 draw, and 1 nc, Shane Mosley will certainly be honoured into the boxing hall of fame, when he finally hangs up the gloves.
If you look at what Anthony Mundine has done in the sport of boxing, it is staggering to say the least. All things considered, and there is a lot to consider, Mundine has won a world title as a super middle weight , and as a middleweight, and he did this without having any amateur career under his belt. The other thing about Mundine is he is actually fighting , by going down the weight classes. As fighters get older, its a natural process to gain weight. Mundine started as a super middleweight, and he has made the decision that he wants to win another world title as a light middleweight.
THE FIGHT
The interesting aspect of this fight is that we have one fighter, in Mosley who will be going up in weight, and one [ mundine] who is coming down in weight.
Obvious questions will be asked from both fighters, regarding, speed and power, and how each will cope with the weight difference.
For me, Mundine has the advantage in speed . I feel Mosley will be slow on his feet, and through the years, that was a huge advantage for him. He had a spring in his step, and used his this spring to launch his torso and arms into a knock out position . I feel Mosley will be heavy on his feet, and Mundine should be able to set the pace of the fight.
Mundine has to be careful not to get caught in the corner or on the ropes, as Mosley still has one punch power, and if he catches Mundine with one of those wide clubbing hooks, or overhand right hands, then it could change the fight.
To win, Mosley will have to knock out Mundine.
For Mundine to win, he has to set the pace early on, and use the jab as a major weapon. Mosley has long arms , but Mundine has to be first all night. If he establishes his jab, it will open up opportunities for catching Mosley with the uppercut, and hooks. I feel the jab, or double jab, uppercut, followed by a wide hook would be a successful combination for Mundine.
If he can deliver it, he could be the first man to stop Shane Mosley.
There is a lot at stake in this fight for both fighters. Mosley has just came off a win in Mexico, against Pablo Cesar Cano, and a win against Mundine could get him back in with the top guys of the division.
Mundine is in a similar position, so if he could beat Mosley, especially by a knockout win, he would be in a great position to get a fight with ?The Money Man? Floyd Mayweather.
I just got back from the Mayweather v Alvarez fight, and as I said in my fight analysis, it was the most hyped up fight I had experienced in my 20 + years going to the fights.
Alvarez was disappointing, and as I watched the fight, I thought about other boxers who would have made a much better fight. The old ?styles makes fights? came to mind. Mayweather made it look easy, because of Alvarez?s style.
I thought about Mundine at 154lbs, against Mayweather [ 150lbs] . Could he make it a better fight ?
If Mundine takes out Mosley, would people take any notice? Damn right they would.
Would Mayweather?s management take notice?
FIGHT PREDICTION.
If you look at this fight on paper, and you look at Mosley?s career, it?s impressive. Mosley has proven time and time again that he is a major player in the sport of boxing. When he came out in 2009 and knocked out Antonio Margarito, in the 9th round, to win the super welterweight world title in spectacular fashion, and then he wobbled Mayweather, and took him and Pacquiao and Alvarez the distance, in his last few fights, Mosley has earned the right to be fighting not as a journeyman, but as a contender.
Who am I to say, he is done.
When I asked the boxing press just recently in Las Vegas, about their thoughts on Mosley fighting Mundine, they all said although Mosley wasn?t the same, he would still kick Mundine?s ass!!
In boxing, particularly when you get a room full of boxing writers, everyone becomes an expert. Most of them have never broke a sweat, never mind laced up a glove, yet they all have this superior opinion. Me, I have never said I was an expert , but I know boxing, I live it, I breathe it. Sometimes my heart takes over, particularly when it comes to legends of the ring.
Fighters I have trained with, watched, and idolized. Fighters like Shane Mosley.
This time around, im not going with my heart.
MUNDINE BY TKO.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gary Todd.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Panamanian legend Hilario Zapata inducted into the California Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 29 Apr 2024FEDOR GORST WINS 2024 WORLD POOL MASTERS
Mon, 29 Apr 2024Megan Paragua wins back-to-back world titles in Albania
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Apr 2024Asuela wins Gomez Jr. Birthday Chess Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Apr 2024JOSE RAMIREZ MAKES A WINNING STATEMENT IN GOLDN BOY DEBUT AGAINST RANCES BARTHELEMY IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Boston Gets Back Versus Miami; Lakers Get One Against Denver
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Lady Knights, Orlando-A win Panabo United Football Club
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 202411-Year-Old Filipino-American Megan Paragua Makes History by Winning the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 28 Apr 2024WORLD POOL MASTERS 2024 | DEFENDING CHAMPION KO PIN YI KNOCKS OUT WNT NO.1 FRANCISCO SANCHEZ IN QUARTER-FINAL
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Men whom Manny retired
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Astrolabio waiting for fight date against Nakatani
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Saludar to fight for WBO Oriental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales Looks Forward to His Homecoming Bout at Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines
Sat, 27 Apr 2024Mavs, Pacers Forge Ahead, 2-1, in Matches to Watch
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 27 Apr 2024Weights from Washington PA.
Sat, 27 Apr 2024