Chris Cazzone
Los Angeles, CA - On Saturday night, in front of a Staples Center-record crowd of 20,820 fans, “Sugar” Shane Mosley KO’d Tijuana’s Antonio Margarito, a 4-1 favorite, in dramatic fashion to take the WBA welterweight belt. Scheduled for 12 rounds, Mosley would only need 9 to finish off Margarito, arguable winning every round to that point. Mosley’s speed and accuracy proved to get the better of the TJ Tornado from the opening bell. Combinations seen by Mosley throughout the night were not countered or defended well by Margarito. Tony got his shots in towards the end of each round but that proved insignificant as Mosley’s body shots and lightning fast combos upstairs took their toll as the battle grew old. By the eight round, it was apparent that Margarito had run out of gas and was merely prolonging the inevitable, a career-first knockout loss.
“Atleast we got the Lakers…” -Margarito fan after the fight
Saturday’s bout showed the boxing world a welterweight champ that has lost his identity since his last fight, an impressive win over then-undefeated Miguel Cotto. Where was the determination? The grit? The rock solid chin that Antonio Margarito has shown us in past fights? On the other hand, with Bernard Hopkins at his side, Shane Mosley made the leap from a 37 year old ex-champ treading water in the twilight of his career, to a force to be reckoned with in the talented welterweight division. The likelihood of a re-match between Mosley and Cotto has grown since Saturday’s result. Also, a big money fight would bring Floyd Mayweather out of retirement. And let’s not forget Manny Pacquiao’s showing against Oscar De La Hoya as a welterweight; a performance that many believe makes Pacman a true contender in the welterweight class. Regardless of who it is, the rejuvenated Mosley will draw a big name in his next bout and big money to go with it.
This is shaping up to be an excellent year for boxing thus far. There are So many good potential matchups on the table right now. I had fun attending this fight with G.
Now we need Pavlik vs Arthur Abraham this summer!!
Cov the Cannabis Cowboy
January 28th, 2009
Boxing is far from dead. Although knowing “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya was down in Anaheim at a MMA fight INSTEAD of being at the Mosley-Margarito fight was a telling sign of the sport’s future. Good! More available tickets for upcoming fights for me and Cov. Fuck em
Goose
January 28th, 2009