Floyd “Money” Mayweather Dominates “Sugar” Shane Mosley
Calls for Pacquiao to take the Test!
By: Phil Kane May 1st, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada: In what has been promoted as the fight of the decade 33 year old Floyd “Money” Mayweather took on the challenge of 38 year old, five time world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
The main event began after a calculated delay by Mayweather with both fighters looking a little tentative. Both used their jabs with Mosley attacking the body. About the middle of the round Mosley missed with a heavy right hand slipping to canvas. After getting upright Mosley began his touch glove campaign which was answered by a Mayweather jab.
The round was filled with a competition of jabs and Mosley landing a few shots to the body Mosley despite appearing extremely tight squeaks round one.
In round two Mosley landed a big right hand rocking Mayweather about the one minute mark. Mosley landed another right as Mayweather effectively grabs on. Mosley rips a left hook to the body then a booming counter overhand right buckling “Money’s” knees. Mayweather uses his left elbow high in Mosley’s face to keep him off as “Sugar” attacks the body
In the third Mayweather was warned early for slapping with the lace side of the glove by referee Kenny Bayless. Then after a touching of the gloves Mayweather scored with a ripping three punch combination to Mosley’s body and head putting Mosley back into the round one feel out mode.
In round four both fighters with both fighters looking to land big counter right hands but Mayweather is the cooler busier fighter. Mayweather begins to establish his right hand catching him head low down on his right side. Again Mosley offers a touching of the gloves at the closing of the round.
In the fifth round Mosley appears again to have the jitters ducking head down coming in with Mayweather pushing down on Mosley’s neck. Mosley backing up appearing to attempt to hold on to Mayweather gets hit with a good left hook. As the round continued, Mayweather scored with some solid inside punching while Mosley was grabbing on while where most figured he would be gaining the advantage.
In the sixth round both fighters took turns looking for the big counter, the roght hand being the weapon of choice. About the midway point of the round Mayweather took advantage of Mosleys sinking left to score a solid one two going on to land a clean right hand, left hook beating Mosley to the punch. Mosley continues to stand in front of Mayweather falling victim to Mayweathers speed and solid defense. Keeping with the flow Mosley in what could be determined as sign of respect offers another touch of gloves after the bell.
In the seventh round Mosley attempted to pick up his pace but most missed the target with Mayweather looking to grab his edge.
In the eight round it became clear the much younger Mayweather had gotten into the veterans head when Mayweather locked up Mosleys right arm and the five time champion attempted a single arm throw. Referee Bayless gave Mosley a hard warning for his rough tactic and Mayweather added a two piece after a touch of gloves. As the round continued Mayweather as in his fight with Hatton picked up some rough tactics after a referee warning using his left elbow and grabbing and pushing down on Mosley’s neck.
In the ninth round Mosley was the busier fighter but Mayweather used his left elbow well maneuvering Mosley around the ring. Mosley tapping his jab looking for one big shot again is being hit with cleaner sharper shots as Mayweather is picking his shots. Mayweather ends with a good right hand as Mosley looks spent.
In the tenth round Mosley backed Mayweather to the ropes but failed to get off any punches he appears to have lost the zap in his shots. Mayweather’s jabs have opened the doors for lead rights which Mosley takes unanswered.
The eleventh round Mosley came out punching but Mayweather’s speed was never more obvious than “Money” picking his shots to the body.
In the final round Mosley could not break Mayweather’s defense with anything of much consequence but the appearance of a few left hooks to the body. Mayweather closed the show fighting off the ropes putting an exclamation point on a solid nights work.
In a quick look after being rocked in the second round Mayweather took the best Mosley had to offer then going on to control the remaining rounds out boxing the three-time welterweight champion decisively.
At 38 years of age Mosley, 46-7, 39Ko’s said he wanted to finish it in the second round but began loading up on his punches his and couldn't finish the job. He is still the WBA welterweight champion said he didn't know what’s next that he would be he was going on vacation and watch the tapes then think about what’s next.
After the bout Mayweather now 41-0, 25Ko’s said he was open to facing Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao only if he is willing to go ahead with his call of blood and urine testing. He made it clear that if and only if there is Olympic style testing would he fight Pacquiao otherwise he would move on without him. The scores were tabulated with judge Dave Moretti scoring it109-119, judge Robert Hoyle 110-118 and judge Adalaide Byrd 109-119 all for “Money” Mayweather.
This fight did nothing to give us any insights of a Pacquiao / Mayweather bout as Pacquiao’s biggest fight will be somehow getting the bout without just falling into Mayweathers tactical pre- fight contractual demands without the shadow that Mayweather has so strategically created over him. If Mayweather truly wants the bout there certainly is middle ground.
On the undercard: Welterweight Argentinian Hector “El Tigre” Saldivia picked himself up off the deck to drop and finished Said “Prince” Ouali with a monster right hook at 1:47 of the opening round of their scheduled ten rounder.
Super featherweight Eloy “The Prince” Perez won a 95-95, 97-93, 96-94 majority decision over Mexico’s Gilberto Sanchez Leon to grab the WBO NABO super featherweight title.
We may have seen a future world champion in Red headed 19 year old Mexican welterweight, Saul “Cinnamon” Alvarez. Alavarez, 31 -0, 23Ko’s took Miguel Cotto’s 32 year old brother Jose Miguel Cotto, 31-1-1, 23Ko’s dropping Cotto with a counter right hand in round 2. Through the bout Cotto applied the pressure but the unusually savvy 19 year old out boxed the tough Puerto Rican ending the scheduled ten rounder in the ninth when referee called it after a series of Alvarez rights at 2:51 of round nine.
Battle of southpaw featherweights Daniel Ponce De Leon defended his WBC Latino featherweight title out punching and landing the cleaner heavier punches on Detroit, Michigan’s Cornelius Lock scoring a 96-94, 97- 93, 96-94 unanimous decision advancing to 39-2, 32Ko’s while Lock slips to 19-5-1, 12Ko’s.
Flint, Michigan, middleweight Dion Savage won a 80-72 times three eight round unanimous decision shutting out Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tommie “Big Poppa” Speller. Savage moves to while Speller drops to 5-4, 3Ko’s while Savage remains unbeaten at 8-0, 5Ko’s.
Las Vegas light welterweight Jesse Vargas stopped Mexico’s Arturo “El Silencioso” Morua in six advancing to 10-0, 5Ko’s while Motua falls to 25-14-1, 14Ko’s.
Santa Ana, California’s light welterweight Luis Ramos Jr. stopped Saint Paul, Minnesota’s other “All American Boy” Allen Litzau the older brother of Jason Litzau in two to advance to 15-0, 8Ko’s while Litzau falls to 13-5, 7Ko’s.
In a battle of Las Vegas newbie light welterweights, Daniel Reece won a unanimous decision over Angel Soto ruining his debut.
