The Jr. Middleweight bout between former five-time world
champion Shane Mosley and former two-division world champion Anthony Mundine
seemed to be the definition of a crossroads fight. Mosley, who returned to the
ring earlier this year following a brief retirement to defeat top Welterweight
contender Pablo Cesar Cano was one might argue attempting to reenter the mix in
either the 147lb. Welterweight or 154lb. Jr. Middleweight divisions where he
has previously held world titles throughout his career.
The choice to face Mundine however, one might say was a
curious choice. After all Mosley although previously a world champion at
154lbs. has had sporadic success in that weight class having a record of 4-3-1,
with one no contest as a Jr. Middleweight. On this basis one could have made a
justifiable argument that Mosley would be an underdog against Mundine, a man
who has previously held titles in both the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight
divisions and who is naturally bigger than Mosley.
Mundine however, one might argue was also coming into this
fight with something to prove having lost a lopsided unanimous decision in his
rematch with former IBF Middleweight world champion Daniel Geale in January.
Despite being one of Australian Boxing’s top marquee draws for many years,
Mundine was still looking for a win over a global superstar of the sport and
more specifically mainstream respect particularly in America.
The bout which was originally scheduled to take place on
October 23rd in Australia however, almost did not take place. After a dispute
over money between Mosley and promoter Vlad Warton, the fight was cancelled
when Mosley subsequently pulled out a day before it was to take place. After
much criticism of the promoter, and with the bout appearing like it would not
take place it was rescheduled for November 27th, this time under a different
promoter Khoder Nasser who was able to get the dispute resolved with Mosley
being paid his purse for the fight up front.
When the two fighters finally got in the ring at the
Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia on November 27th the fight resulted in
what in some ways could be validation for one fighter, while perhaps signifying
the end of the road for the other. Mundine was able to establish the pace of
the fight by throwing a crisp jab and mixing in combinations. Mosley could not
seem to get into a consistent rhythm and although he had sporadic success
landing occasional body shots and right hands to the head, he seemed tentative
and did not let his hands go with consistency.
Mosley was able to briefly stun Mundine with a solid right
hand in round three, but Mundine was able to quickly recover and continue to
dictate the action. Mosley would stun Mundine again with another right hand in
round four. Seconds later Mundine would answer with his own right hand that was
more effective and seemed to have Mosley hurt. Mosley would stumble to the
canvas as he attempted to clinch with Mundine, but it was not ruled a knockdown
by Referee Raul Caiz, Sr. Mundine would
continue to control the action for the remainder the fight.
The end of the fight would come at the end of round six when
Mosley was unable to continue citing a back injury. Although the conclusion of
this fight did not provide much excitement, the victory for Anthony Mundine is
likely to serve as a catalyst to secure more lucrative opportunities against
American opponents. Although Mundine has publicly called out Floyd Mayweather
in the past and even though the victory over Mosley will now give him more
notoriety, it appears unlikely to this observer that the thirty eight-year old will
be able to secure that fight at least in the near future. If however, Mundine
were to face another marquee opponent in the Jr. Middleweight division and
perhaps if that fight were to take place in the United States it may go a long
way toward a potential fight with Mayweather down the line.
It would be interesting to see if promoters in Australia
were to attempt lure Mayweather to fight Mundine in the country. Although the
idea seems unlikely there is no doubt that a fighter of Mayweather’s stature
would surely provide an economic boost anywhere he chooses to fight.
As for the forty-two year old Shane Mosley, this loss
appears at least in this observer’s eyes to be the end of a great career. Even
though Mosley as a fighter has seemed to be in decline in the last several
years, his status as a first ballot Hall of Famer is certainly secure.
Throughout his illustrious career Mosley has won five world titles in three
different weight divisions, including eight successful title defenses as a
World Lightweight champion. An argument could very well be made that when the
topic regarding the greatest Lightweights of all-time is discussed that Mosley
will be high on the list. Mosley has always given his best every time he steps
into a ring and has been an ambassador for the sport. The opinion of some could
be that Mosley chose not to continue with the fight perhaps seeing that the
fight was starting to get away from him in terms of the scorecards. This
observer disagrees with such an opinion.
Shane Mosley had never been stopped previously in his career
and has never been a fighter to make excuses. Mosley stated after the fight
that he had a back spasm during the fight and that he could not move. It is
unclear to tell when exactly the injury to Mosley took place. It could very
well have taken place after he was hurt in the fourth round when Mosley
stumbled to the canvas after attempting to clinch Mundine. Mosley appeared to
go down awkwardly and that may have caused the injury.
Mosley’s legacy will not be damaged by this loss to Anthony
Mundine and if this is indeed the end for him as a fighter he has nothing to be
ashamed of. Shane, maybe it’s time…
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison
All Rights Reserved.
I think he has been done as a top fighter and now is becoming a low tier club fighter.
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