The scheduled October 23rd Jr.
Middleweight fight between former world champions Shane Mosley and Anthony
Mundine seems to be the latest well-matched bout in what has been a stellar
year for the sport of Boxing. The fight that is scheduled to take place at the
Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia presents a couple of
interesting storylines.
For Shane Mosley who returned to the ring
following a brief retirement in May of this year scoring a twelve round
unanimous decision over welterweight contender Pablo Cesar Cano, this fight
could represent a chance to get back in the hunt for another world
championship. Likewise for Anthony Mundine, who is coming off a decision loss
in his rematch with former IBF Middleweight world champion Daniel Geale in
January of this year, the fight with Mosley one might argue represents the
biggest of his career.
One might also argue that it is Mosley who
might have more prove than Mundine. There is no disputing that Shane Mosley has
had a great career and is a first ballot Hall of Famer. The former five-time
world champion in three different weight classes however, has only won one out
of his last five bouts and prior to his fight with Pablo Cesar Cano appeared to
show signs of a great champion who’s best days were behind him.
After an impressive performance in what was a
closely fought battle with Cano, it will be interesting to see if Mosley can
build on the momentum off of that fight against a fighter in Mundine who has
the ability to be elusive, give angles, and may perhaps rival Mosley when it
comes to hand speed. Mosley however, may have the edge when it comes to power.
Mundine, a two-division world champion in his
own right has been one of Australian Boxing’s superstars for many years.
Mundine however, has not had a career defining victory over a marquee superstar
of the sport. Mundine who has called out Floyd Mayweather in the past might be
looking at this fight as a potential opportunity to enter the discussion of
potential opponents should he win against Mosley and, should Mayweather be
victorious in his bout with Saul Alvarez. Much as there are questions about Shane Mosley
heading into this fight, so too are questions about Anthony Mundine.
In his last fight Mundine was outworked over
the course of twelve rounds by Daniel Geale. Although Mundine was able to have
sporadic success in that fight some questioned the then thirty-seven year old
Mundine’s future in the sport following the loss. Mundine however, will be the
younger of the two fighters when the now thirty-eight year old fights Shane
Mosley who will turn forty-two on September 7th.
It will be interesting to see who will
attempt to dictate the pace of this fight. In his last fight, Shane Mosley was
able to rally in the middle and late rounds to earn a unanimous decision over
Pablo Cesar Cano. Most observers however, this one included believed that Cano
had won the early rounds. In contrast, in his rematch with Daniel Geale; Mundine
did not let his hands go with consistency. This allowed Geale to win rounds by
being more active and landing the cleaner punches.
For both fighters at similar stages in their
careers it will be interesting to see who initiates the action and whether or
not the fighter who dictates the pace initially will be able to maintain that
pace for a twelve round distance. One could make a valid argument that this
fight presents a scenario of two former world champions at a crossroads. The
winner is perhaps likely to find another opportunity at a world championship
down the line, while the loser may be likely to retire. There was some doubt last
week however, as to whether the fight would take place.
It was reported that Mosley had threatened to
pull out of the fight claiming that Mundine owed him $300,000 in agreed
payments. While in attendance at an official media day for Saul Alvarez, who is
in training for his upcoming bout with Floyd Mayweather on September 14th,
Mosley stated to Boxingscene.com quote “I’m supposed to fight Anthony Mundine
but they’re having money problems . . . sending money to escrow, so that fight
might not happen. If they can’t put a measly $300,000 into an escrow
account until we fight then how are we going to fight for the money they’re
talking about? We’re having problems (and) I don’t know what’s going to
happen. That fight is really not a go. It’s not like I’m going to be fighting
Anthony Mundine on October 23."
This situation reminded me of a similar
situation with regard to a fight falling through over money in what was a
highly anticipated bout between former Heavyweight champions Larry Holmes and
George Foreman which was scheduled to take place in 1999. The bout which was to
take place at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas was ultimately cancelled due to the
promoter of the fight failing to meet deadlines on payments to both fighters
for their respected purses for the bout.
The Holmes-Foreman bout never took place.
It appears that the situation involving money
with regard to the Mosley-Mundine bout has been resolved as both fighters
appeared at a news conference in Los Angeles last Friday to formally announce
the fight. The eyes of the Boxing world will set their sights on Sydney,
Australia on October 23rd. Although there is likely a difference of opinion in
regard to what Mosley and Mundine both have left to give as fighters, this
fight appears to be well-matched and realistically probably the best fight out
there for both men at this stage in their respective careers.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark
of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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